BrickMonkeyMOCs

That makes sense, and explains why the same part was not re-released. Yet Lego have multiple generic and specific rim inserts for several smaller wheels, so I still think they missed an opportunity to provide the same here for larger Technic cars. The standard uncovered wheels on this Porsche really don't cut it, and a new-style insert would have improved the set and been popular with MOCers. I definitely got the impression from this set that it was a bit rushed, with quality control failing to catch some obvious things - from the bizarre placement of the steering wheel (rendering the steering inoperable as a play feature), to multiple errors in the instruction manual. I get that there are always going to be compromises in official sets, but there shouldn't be obvious and easy fixes required - these should really be picked up and corrected in testing and development. But I do really like the set, and I hope we'll see more models like this (though hopefully with a few extra functions) in the future.

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the useful help and suggestions. I'm still not sure what's happening with the page size, but I found an online tool that will resize it back to A4. For the minifig I've just deleted it temporarily from the file so as to create a BOM without the fig or its component parts. And the renderer is no longer crashing my system since changing from the GPU setting to CPU.

I'm changing from LPub4/3D to Stud.io for making instructions and need to get my head around this new software as quickly as possible. So far I'm finding it to be much faster and more efficient to use, but there are a few things I haven't yet been able to figure out... Firstly, page size. I notice there's an option for x2 size, but even keeping this at the x1 setting, producing an A4 page still results in a PDF at double A4 size. Any ideas on what is happening? Secondly, LPub had a "treat as part" option for sub-models, but I can't find an equivalent function in Stud.io. Specifically, I want to have a sub-model minifigure show up in PLI and BOM as a single part, rather than have its arms and legs etc. all showing separately. Is there a solution for this? Thirdly, the rendering feature crashes my laptop, even on the lowest settings. It starts processing then the screen goes black and I have to hard-reboot. Ideas? Is the renderer stable for most users? I don't strictly need the renderer for instructions, but it would be nice if I could get it to work.

Cheers. I've added lockable doors too, which goes some way towards making up for the sparse functionality.

I built my copy of the Porsche over the weekend. Three thoughts... The steering wheel is clearly placed too low. Comically so. Raising it by one beam is straightforward and also greatly improves the functionality in terms of making it easier to reach and operate the steering wheel, making the addition of HOG steering a little less essential. The bulbous look of the headlight covers can easily be corrected by adjusting how they are attached. Definitely results in an improved appearance. The stock wheels look absolutely awful. Partly because they are a bit small, but mainly due to the lack of a realistic rim design. I've added 58088 rim inserts to mine, which massively improves the look of the model. But of course these parts are rare and expensive now (up to US$30 per piece on BrickLink). I think Lego really dropped the ball with this set by missing the opportunity to re-release these rim inserts. In black they would be perfect here.

My apologies, you're right. In that case I don't have the faintest idea what happened or how so many parts ended up missing from my parts library. I've just downloaded the Complete.zip file, which is what I thought I'd already used to re-install my deleted library, only to see that it does contain many of the files I've just been manually re-adding. At least now I can just copy all of the official files back from the zip to my library. Can't help but think that things would be much simpler if LPub3D didn't try to create it's own separate parts library.

Thank you. I tried LDGLite but found it was only rendering about half of the parts. However, when I switched it back to LDview suddenly I wasn't getting the original error messages anymore. A small number of parts still weren't rendering correctly, but that seems to have been the result of having to reinstall my LDraw parts library after LPub3D deleted it. But anyway, my problem is now solved and my model finally has a complete BOM.

Thanks for the suggestion. I had kept a version of the file without any LPub formatting so it was worth a shot. But unfortunately I still get an LDView SingleCall CSI render failure message. Not having seen this before, I don't really know what it means or how to fix it. Incidentally, while LPub3D 2.3.6 is working for me with other models, it wasn't rendering all parts correctly. I know LPub3D uses it's own separate library archives, but adding the parts manually to those (which has worked before with v.2.0.20) wasn't having any effect for me. However, the parts rendered correctly once I went into preferences and changed the parts library path from LPub3D's archive zips to my regular original LDraw parts library. But I still can't generate a BOM at all for my larger 3,000-piece model.

I need some urgent help on this one. I typically use LPub4 for instructions (faster on my PC Win10 64-bit ASUS laptop) and then switch to LPub3D just for the BOM. This has always been fine in the past, but today I went to make a BOM for a new model and got a bunch of error messages instead. I thought I might be able to fix this by updating from LPub3D ver.2.0.20 to ver.2.3.6, and while this did me the favor of deleting my entire original LDraw parts library along with MLCad and LDView, I eventually got all of these reinstalled only to find that I was getting the exact same error message as with the previous version. The model is quite large at over 3,000 pieces, so I don't know if that is an issue, but this is what I get after clicking on Add Bill of Materials... ERROR: LDView (SingleCall) PLI render failed with code PLI 0 Click OK... Render failed for Pli images Click OK... Failed to create PLI part images using LDView Single Call Click OK... and LPub3D then crashes or freezes. Any ideas?

Okay, that makes sense. I only brought it up to explain why actual photos of these builds are unlikely to be posted here. Thanks for explaining your concerns. The last thing I want to do is provoke any animosity or upset anyone.

Thank you, and of course I do not and will not post pictures of clone brick models. If I manage to post images of the above models in bricks it will only be because I have built copies from actual Lego parts. In the meantime I thought the LDraw digital designs were worth sharing. If I was wrong and have offended anyone then I apologize. I'm afraid I really don't understand your objection. You seem to be broad-brushing all clone brands as being the same. They are not. I am well aware of what companies like Lepin have done, and they've stolen my work before too. That's why I'm very careful about who I work for. Please note that I am not promoting any non-Lego brand by sharing these LDraw designs here, and I would never post photos at EB of a model that used clone parts.

Excuse me? I design for whoever commissions my work, though I am also careful to avoid working with any companies that violate copyright law. The designs here are 100% Lego-based and instructions will eventually be made available allowing anyone to build these from their own Lego bricks. I realize many are 100% purist and extremely loyal to the Lego brand, but even so your reaction here seems a little extreme. Do you expect me to turn down all commissioned work from legitimate off-brand clients? Why would I do that?

The ladder extends using plates-with-door-rails sliding inside 1x4-bricks-with-recesses and uses Technic pins and small gears on gear racks for friction. I've tested it and it works really well, though it's only one level of telescoping so it doesn't extend as far as the real thing. There's a link in the OP to a demonstration of the steering mechanism. These were produced for a commercial client so they will definitely get made in bricks – but not Lego bricks, so I probably won't be able to share the photos here.

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Excellent mod! Definitely a lot more work involved than the simple 1-stud extension on my version, but the increased space in the interior and on the rear overhang really pays off. I like the added 1x1 round tiles on the tail-lights too. If I may be picky for a moment, one small but easy improvement you've missed is swapping out those blue Technic pins in the headlights for black ones.