Modular buildings in a city

[LOTRfan]

Does anyone have any idea how to attach modular buildings into a standard city layout with road baseplates? I'm about to buy PR so any tips would be greatly appreciated. If it involves brickbuilt roads could I have some estimate of the price a well.

Thanks, LOTRfan

[tedbeard]

I do it by using sidewalks. I add a two-plate sidewalk to the roadplates AND to the modular. When put together I add lamposts, garbage cans, firehydrants etc to "join" the sections together.

You can see what I mean here:

This above is a custom modular corner.

This one shows a Fire Brigade (with modified sidewalk) and a Pet Shop side by side. Of course, you can see where I forgot to bring my modified sidewalk section with the driveway for the FB.

If you do not want to change the sidewalks on the modulars you can raise them up to the same height as their neighbours using another baseplate or something called foamboard. I have a several 10"x10" sections which I slip under my LUG-mates modulars to make them compatible.

Edited April 28, 2014 by tedbeard

[LOTRfan]

Oh, that was kind of what i was trying to avoid, as the sidewalks are slightly too big, and it significantly increases the price. Could you please provide a link to a shop that sells the foamboard you where talking about (e.g. amazon) Thanks for the tips anyways.

[alois]

I made my roads out of baseplates and 1x2 dbg tiles:

The tram tracks are another complication, but they're of course optional .

I raised the buildings on their baseplates to create a higher sidewalk. I used about 5000 tiles, which makes for a price of €350,- at 7 cents per tile.

[Xyver]

I have raised all my modulars by 1 plate and then built tiled footpaths as seen here: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=88508&hl=

It is parts intensive, and I have used a lot of 2x4 tiles, but it does look good. The reason for the extra plate height is so that I can use the 2x cheese slopes piece at my crossings.

You could also build the modulars at the edge of the baseplate rather than the standard 8 in, then just use the footpath on the roadplate to save on parts. You will come unstuck on corners using this method though.

Brick built, or even plate built roads do look good, and give you more options, but are very parts intensive and not within budget if you want to do a decent layout.

[Wodanis]

I plan on extending then tiles from the modular buildings out by one 2x2 tile and then using the light grey curb. Alternatively you couldmuse the method in the lego commercials - Plate/tile/plate/tile. I will have to find a photo to demonstrate.

[melbs]

For the sake of easy re arrangement of the modulars, i simply remove the light gray 1x6, 1x8 tiles that majority of the modulars come with and put it nearest to the road of the road base plate, then place 2x2 dark gray tiles that connects it to the road plates and all throughout the road base plate. You need lots of 2x2 dark gray tiles to do this. Makes an expanded sidewalk but still stays true to the modular sidewalk design.

Click my city below to see pictures of it

[LOTRfan]

I made my roads out of baseplates and 1x2 dbg tiles:

The tram tracks are another complication, but they're of course optional .

I raised the buildings on their baseplates to create a higher sidewalk. I used about 5000 tiles, which makes for a price of €350,- at 7 cents per tile.

Ah OK I'll probably use that design, it looks good and simple.

[tedbeard]

Oh, that was kind of what i was trying to avoid, as the sidewalks are slightly too big, and it significantly increases the price. Could you please provide a link to a shop that sells the foamboard you where talking about (e.g. amazon) Thanks for the tips anyways.

Well, If you try to do any sort of detailing of sidewalks and populate them with people and benches and bus stops you will find that they are not too big, but to each his own. I find this system to be cheaper overall than brick-building roads for me.

Re: foamboard - I find it at local art supply, craft supply or stationary shops like Staples or Office Depot. It is used by architects to build models and schools kids for various projects.

I googled "Amazon foamcore" (an alternate term) and came up with this right away: http://www.amazon.com/Pacon-Foam-Board-22X28-Whitet-5/dp/B00IWSHEB0 . I would suggest you look in stores first before you pay shipping on a light but very bulky package as they come in poster-sized sheets.

[LOTRfan]

which makes for a price of €350,- at 7 cents per tile.

Is that per modular?

[Wodanis]

For the sake of easy re arrangement of the modulars, i simply remove the light gray 1x6, 1x8 tiles that majority of the modulars come with and put it nearest to the road of the road base plate, then place 2x2 dark gray tiles that connects it to the road plates and all throughout the road base plate. You need lots of 2x2 dark gray tiles to do this. Makes an expanded sidewalk but still stays true to the modular sidewalk design.

Basically what I was saying. Personally I find the streets made entirely of bricks look amazing but its too brick intensive for my tastes. Below are how some of the Master Builders do it for the Lego commercials. It is not a bad technique as it allows a person to position minifigures on the 'pavement'. Too bad we can't have half plate straight roads eh?

btw Tedbeard I do like how you've created a sewer entryway with the plates crossing overtop.

Am I the only one as a kid who used the walkie talkies in the reverse fashion? With the studs facing towards the head?

Edited April 29, 2014 by Wodanis

[TheLegoDr]

^I did too. I assumed that is how they should be used??

[alois]

Is that per modular?

No, I've got a street that's about 8 modulars long, plus a square in front of the station. One modular would be about 1/10 of this price, I think.

[Wodanis]

^I did too. I assumed that is how they should be used??

Excellent! I always thought that was how they were to be used.

[melbs]

Basically what I was saying. Personally I find the streets made entirely of bricks look amazing but its too brick intensive for my tastes. Below are how some of the Master Builders do it for the Lego commercials. It is not a bad technique as it allows a person to position minifigures on the 'pavement'. Too bad we can't have half plate straight roads eh?/quote]

same here, its too bricked for my tastes also, and remember, its keeping the base plates look like its part of the modular line.

earlier when i just started building my city, i actually built modulars on the road baseplates themselves since i had no 2x2 gray tiles. the effect on the feel of the city however seemed too tight, not much space on the sidewalks, especially for the town hall.

[Transparency for Effect]

Just as well, I've tried to attach baseplates of other buildings to town plates with little success. I've tried this but the levelling wasn't actual that equal as it should have been.

[LOTRfan]

No, I've got a street that's about 8 modulars long, plus a square in front of the station. One modular would be about 1/10 of this price, I think.

I'll probably have a go at trying this technique then. Could you point me in the direction of a BL store that sells them cheap?

[alois]

I'll probably have a go at trying this technique then. Could you point me in the direction of a BL store that sells them cheap?

Bricklink has a search function

You better see for yourself, because things like location have an impact on the cost.