How do you start your MOCS?

[Lakop]

Hi,

How, or when, do you start your mocs?

By that I mean do you follow instructions to a certain point and then begin to adapt or do you start adapting from the beginning.

Comments please.

Thanks

H

[Lipko]

um.... Do you mean MOCing as an activity, or making a particular MOC?

I assume the first. I started right away with creating own stuff. I can only do stuff on my own if I'm interested, and modding is something that is totally not interesting to me. I did buy sets and build them all, usually their B models too, to learn the technique, that was totally new to me.

Anyway, just jump it. Don't stall for time by talking about it.

[jorgeopesi]

Usually I start when I finish the previous... Just kidding, I start looking for information on what I want to build and then I see if all that the model does may be representable in Lego in my opinion. If it has a 7 speed gearbox mine will have to have it, if it has 8 functions mine will have to have them, if it is blue or green I can´t do it .

[Edwin Korstanje]

Normal i look what i wand to build and when i find a model i start looking for information and photo's at Google ore go sometimes to the real model and than i start building and build at mine feeling and the looks off it and when it gives me the right looks and feeling than i go further whit it step after step untail the moc is finished.

[Zerobricks]

Somtimes just as simple as putting random bricks together. Other times I use LDD before I'm sure to build it, especially if it means destruction of a current moc. Just go with the flow :)

[matias bendtsen]

Sometimes i just get the idea, or see a machine some where and thinks: i need to build that, then find some pics and find out what scale i want to build in. then find the wheels and build the axles, and find all the PF parts and try to see where i want them in the model. if i can see it wont fit i scrap the project right away, and if i think i can make it fit i will just build i from bottom up and inside out ending with the body.

currently building a Volvo L110G loader with these wheels: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=45982 which means this shovel will fit in scale: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=32030

[dandexter]

Once i'v done my research I start by setting out the work points, then the overall dimensions to keep it in scale. After that I design how all the functions will work, putting critical parts in, such as motors, gears, turn tables, steering suspension etc. Once happy with that I design the supporting frame around the functions. After that I go through adding details required.

Clearly I use CAD software for this, I do concept testing with my spare parts before considering the project finished.

Once finished I'll order all the parts and build it in real life. I never pull apart any sets or MOCs to build new ones.

[efferman]

for people which can understand german i have here the long story

for the other people:

i start a moc with an idea and the first part.

you see, nothing special

[Carsten Svendsen]

My airplane is the first real MOC I've ever done (see sig), to be honest, I don't know how I managed to have all this LEGO and only making small incompetent mocs.

A MOC for me starts with an idea of what I want to build, then, as I move on with the model, I suddenly think of multiple things that would be great to incorporate, or change. My airplane is a perfect example of this.

[dhc6twinotter]

Once I figure out what I want to build, I start out by doing some research on whatever it is I'm building. I look at the type and number of functions, and decide what scale I want to build it at. Usually the wheels set the scale. If I'm building an RC moc and have more than 8 functions, I decide what type of "gearbox" I'm going to use and which functions to group together. If I'm building a large, complicated moc, I usually do some sketches to lay out the location of gearbox (if equiped) and location of motors, etc. Lately though, I've been learning how to use MLCAD for some preliminary design work. I currently have 3 future mocs underway in MLCAD.

After the rough design work is completed, I start building the most complicated parts of a moc first. If the moc has a gearbox, I start there, followed by motor and battery box placement. If I'm working on a large moc, I jump back and forth between sections. I find that if I get stuck and can't figure out how to build a section, I jump to a different section. Usually, while working on one section, I get an idea how to complete the problematic section.

I also try to build in modules, usually with things like axle assemblies, gearboxes, and motor banks comprised in their own module. As I build these modules, I try to incorporate points to mount them to the chassis.

Next I mount the modules together to form a chassis, and once I have that done, I begin on the bodywork. Building a strong chassis the biggest area I need to improve in. I'm trying to get better at building a stronger chassis, but it's still very much a work in progress.

The trick to all of this is that when I'm working on one section, I have to keep the whole project in mind. I may only be working on finding a spot for my motor(s), but at the same time, I have to think about how it will all fit in my chassis and bodywork. That's what makes it so much fun!

[skylinedan]

I,ve built a few things that were all my own, but lately I,ve been taking sets and just modding them into bigger models making them better, just adding my own personal touches to an other wise boring normal set, LOL.

Dan

[DarkShadow73]

I'm not talented like many others here, but I've built a few simple MOCs, but mostly I get an idea in my head of what I want to create, sketch it out on paper, find the parts and like others just put it together section by section, Many times while doing one section it doesn't come out the way I planned and I walk away and think about it and usually an idea pops in my head of what parts I need and then go from there.

Can be a frustrating process, but I think coming up with your own MOC is a lot more satisfying than building out of the box, though a lot of times I do MODs on stock models to make them better too. I've gained a lot of knowledge in this forum over the past few years on how to do something I never would have known how to do before.

One thing I have to make a point of is getting my fiancee's fancy digital camera to upload photos of my MOCs and MODs to existing models. I'd love to share my creations and let others take a look-see and scrutinize them and maybe give me an idea on how to make them even better.

Edited February 18, 2013 by TechnicFreak

[MarkusOSX]

Cause of a minimum of bricks I´ve own, I always start my MOCs with LDD, then I order the parts at BL.

Greetz

Markus

Edited February 18, 2013 by MarkusOSX

[radar92]

I'll see something I like and that will inspire me, then do research, mostly pictures and some reading to find examples. After I find enough I start building, and rebuilding. At some point I'll be happy with the results and stop. I may redo it in the future. For me my technic are a continual build. My unimog collection has been going strong since I got my first one. I try to improve as I feel inspired. If it doesn't work out I pause and try again later.

[Alasdair Ryan]

I'd love to share my creations and let others take a look-see and scrutinize them and maybe give me an idea on how to make them even better.

You may find that be too painful....

Edited February 18, 2013 by Alasdair Ryan

[timslegos]

I usually start out by finding a real world machine to follow. Sometimes I find the dimensions sheet and scale down all of the dimensions too. After that I pretty much just start building, as zblj said...go with the flow.

tim

[Lakop]

Hi Guys,

I'm back. I had to go offline just after posting. Wow. So many different ways of acheiving the same thing. I asked the question because I'm working on something this very miniute, well, it started yesterday. Many moons ago and before the internet I would buy instruction manuals from lego just to see how they did certain things and to inspire. Browsing recently I found one model that was just asking to be built. Anyway, built it and it was not what I was expecting, however, the B model was showing some potential, so built that and eureka! It was just asking to be modified. So that's what i'm doing. Pictures will appear when complete.

[AndyCW]

I frequently get inspired by other creations on this forum and try to implement others ideas into my own stuff. I try to build in modules to break the build up into manageable parts. I also try to build in a leap frog manner. Create v1 of a module, see the errors, and create v2 while not parting out v1. This allows me to compare the two approaches and select the better of the two. Dismantle the loser and wash, rinse, repeat.

[dr_spock]

I get an idea and try to visualize it in my mind. If I think it is feasible in Lego then I start to slap something together.

[AngleBrick]

There was a time where I stuck strictly to the manuals, but that only lasted a few years. I put all my LEGO into storage, condemning them to being boring. Then I needed to build something for a school project, and LEGO was the only way it would be plausible, so I broke out the LEGO out of storage and then built what I needed. Needless to say, I found it funner than sticking strictly to manuals, so began my interest in LEGO MOCs (since so far, every MOC I've made is more or less poopy [i tend to be a perfectionist, ruining all of my MOCs' chances of ever going anywhere outside of my computer's 'Failed MOCs' folder], I haven't posted any of them to the interwebs).

[Porty]

(since so far, every MOC I've made is more or less poopy [i tend to be a perfectionist, ruining all of my MOCs' chances of ever going anywhere outside of my computer's 'Failed MOCs' folder).

I tend to feel the exact same way.

[Gene]

I did it once (1) through visuals research (not lego samples). (2) refer to my available parts (mostly technic) and hands-on shaping the exterior for hours ("Eat, Sleep, Technic" syndrome). (3) Starts to order parts from bricklink and complete it with further modifcations (so long there're studs and joints to matchup, anything can take shape). (4) I left the pneumatic setup at the last stage.

I do not have the luxury to own many sets and getting parts can be very taxing and never enough. Always thought I should have ordered more...

Nevertheless, I'm still very impress and inspire by many MOCing fans in EB!

Edited March 14, 2013 by Gene

[Lakop]

Hi,

if you've not seen my moc of 8280

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lakop