nicoga3000 Posted February 24, 2012 Posted February 24, 2012 (edited) So I've been trying to come up with a solution for an MOC for a while. I've searched high and low, and haven't found a good answer to my question. First, the image of what I want to base the MOC on: These are the water tanks that I design for a living, so I've grown quite intimate with them, haha. The concrete shaft portion isn't the challenge...That container, though. It's cylindrical AND conical (with, for all intents and purposes, a flat roof). I have no idea on how I can make it work. One thing to mention, I don't necessarily want to do a full sculpture style MOC like: I want it to be smaller so I can bring it into my office and display it next to my other creations I keep here. I found this, too: And I'm not sure if this is closer to the direction I need to take...I was hoping some of you experts could give your thoughts and opinions on this. :) Thanks for the help and considerations! Edited February 24, 2012 by nicoga3000 Quote
tafkatb Posted February 24, 2012 Posted February 24, 2012 Here's one very rough idea of how you could make the basic structure: Start with several modules like this... then link them together in a circle and turn the angled plates inward. Then use more plates or tiles to cover the joints. Experiment with other variations on the exact shape and size of the plates you use until you get what you're looking for. Hope this helps! Quote
nicoga3000 Posted February 24, 2012 Author Posted February 24, 2012 Thanks Tragic Banjo, that's pretty ingenious right there! I initially thought to use angled plates like that, but I couldn't figure out a good way to deal with multiple curves next to one another. The hinge mechanism you did takes care of it with relative ease. I'll play around in LDD to see what my limitations are for that. Thanks! Quote
Palathadric Posted February 24, 2012 Posted February 24, 2012 I definitely prefer the "Westen" water tower. The other one's tower is too thin for the top. Otherwise if you use the wing pieces to slope up...darn I wish I could show you, but I don't actually have them. Quote
nicoga3000 Posted February 24, 2012 Author Posted February 24, 2012 (edited) I definitely prefer the "Westen" water tower. The other one's tower is too thin for the top. Otherwise if you use the wing pieces to slope up...darn I wish I could show you, but I don't actually have them. The western one looks neat, I agree. The problem being, I don't think I could get a good design for the style I want. I mean, I guess I could do the cylindrical portion of the container in a similar fashion, but the conical portion is the real challenge. E: Are you referring to the sphere in when you say too thin for the top? If so, that's actually pretty damned close to scale! I've designed a handful of those, too. Edited February 24, 2012 by nicoga3000 Quote
Palathadric Posted February 24, 2012 Posted February 24, 2012 The western one looks neat, I agree. The problem being, I don't think I could get a good design for the style I want. I mean, I guess I could do the cylindrical portion of the container in a similar fashion, but the conical portion is the real challenge. E: Are you referring to the sphere in when you say too thin for the top? If so, that's actually pretty damned close to scale! I've designed a handful of those, too. I thought you were basing the MOC off the picture at the top. Maybe it's just the angle, but... Definitely try Tragic Banjo's method. Quote
nicoga3000 Posted February 24, 2012 Author Posted February 24, 2012 I thought you were basing the MOC off the picture at the top. Maybe it's just the angle, but... Definitely try Tragic Banjo's method. I may have misunderstood you, haha. The one on the top is one I designed about two years ago, and it's close to the scale I want to design to. Quote
TheWarden Posted February 25, 2012 Posted February 25, 2012 Bound to be some curved walls in the "Lego Techniques" Flickr group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/788191@N24/ Quote
brickie Posted February 25, 2012 Posted February 25, 2012 (edited) For the BLTG display last year, I built a theme park called "Screamworld'. Of course we needed a Tower of Terror and Giant Drop. What started off as a small experiment on the kitchen bench soon took over the whole garage. After I had finished the tower, I needed something to finish off the top. As I had the bottom 4 quarters of some SW set, I set about building a resaurant for the top. I filled it with flashing lights. I believe that this looks similar to what you want to achieve. Edited February 25, 2012 by brickie Quote
nicoga3000 Posted February 25, 2012 Author Posted February 25, 2012 @brickie That's...Wow! That's pretty much exactly the route I want to take! Are you locked into that size since you used those Star Wars pieces? Quote
brickie Posted February 25, 2012 Posted February 25, 2012 (edited) nicoga3000 I used the Panel 10 x 10 x 2 1/3 Quarter Saucer Base because I had some. These elements also come in light grey. They were in 4 sets [one SW] and I don't know if they were used in them as a complete circle. I also bought the similar top pieces. For the sides of the restaurant I used hinged bricks. I did look 12 months ago but I couldn't find any smaller [or larger] panels. It'll be great to see how your water tower turns out; Good luck with it. Edited February 25, 2012 by brickie Quote
Palathadric Posted February 25, 2012 Posted February 25, 2012 Excellent work, Brickie! Looks fantastic! Quote
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