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Found 19 results

  1. papacharly

    [LDD] The Black Pearl Project

    LDD/MLCad 15D The Black Pearl Project - A joint venture by Courleciel and Papacharly EDIT April 1st 2015: Black Pearl mpd-file is available now. Please also note the relevant post #15 below! End of last year I had been invited by Courleciel to join a project he already started. The goal of this project was to virtually build the Black Pearl from the Lego video game “Pirates of the Caribbean” and, in a second step, to “make great renderings”. At this time the ship had already been built by Courleciel in real bricks. Starting point for this project was an “old” lxf-file (Lego Digital Designer) by captainjack. The virtual model was significantly optimized by Courleciel so as to make it more accurate and complete. A lot of parts have been repainted, some new elements were added (such as anchors, bell, grating, cannons...), and some were adjusted or rebuilt (like the capstan, figurehead, lanterns, masts...). After the model was nearly completed, the LDD file was converted to the LDraw format and my job started. According to Courleciels conceptual work I added rigging, rails, ropes and strings by using SR3D Builder and MLCad/LSynth. Sails were directly created in povray. Additionally it was necessary to manipulate some original LDraw parts (e.g. # x1609 batarang, see stern) to make them authentic with regard to the video game. Finally we decided on all setups for being rendered. All renders have status “as rendered”. There was no “photoshopping” applied, aside from scaling down and anti-aliasing. I have not counted all the hours I spent working on this project. But doing all the work Courleciel and me had a lot of fun. So we hope that you also will enjoy our work and have some fun too. High resolution “technical renders” showing the conceptual work of Courleciel can be found here. For high resolution images of the movie scenes click here. And here is the outcome of our project:: First we have some technical renders of the Black Pearl. Then we show some movie scene remakes. For all those which are not familiar with “Pirates of the Carribean”, please find the original movie scene respectively an original video game screenshot below each rendering. Here comes a remake of a video game screenshot: Two movie scenes from part 1 "The Curse of the Black Pearl": Movie scene “Pantano River” from part 2 "Dead Man’s Chest" Two movie scenes “Locker” from part 3 "At World’s End" Last but not least we have an atmospheric and maybe kitschy sunset render which is not related to any movie scene.
  2. Having used MLCad without problems for a few years (though fairly infrequently, so there's lots about it I don't know) I've recently been having some issues bringing in some unofficial parts (the first time I've tried to do this). I've struggled with this for some hours, and then tried to find if the issue had already been covered online, but I can't find anything that helps, including looking in the Section Index of this forum and attemtpting to search for related threads - apologies if I've missed it (or if I've done something silly in getting to where I am). Sorry also for the lengthly description below! The short version is that I believe I have managed to add some 'unofficial' parts in my MLCad library - they are showing up in the Parts Tree, and can be built into a model without 'Unknown Part' errors - but the 3-D representation of those parts does not appear on screen, either in the Parts Preview window, or in the rendering of the model within MLCad. The parts do however appear when the model is subsequently viewd using LDView. The problem only happens when using MLCad without Administartor privileges though. The detail: As I'm using a different PC to the one I last used MLCad on, I have recently done a new installation to a Windows 10 PC, using the All-in-one-installer, so it should be a standard installation, in the folder C:\Users\Public\Documents\LDraw. I normally use a non-administrator account, and MLCad 3.51 (and LDView 4.3) seemed to work fine on this installation when I was just using the standard library, but I wanted to use some of the new-ish parts included in the 42099 inventory, and this is where I had problems. I used the LDraw2001.exe file to bring my standard library as far up-to-date as possible (I think). After this update, for example, I have access to the 3x3 connector 39793 - it shows up in both the Parts Tree and Parts Preview windows, and I can use it in models. But that still left me without the new CV Joint parts and the planetary hubs, so I went looking online for unofficial parts for these items. I found various articles online about using unofficial parts, but I wasn't entirely clear after reading them exactly what needed to be done. In particular, I was left somewhat unclear for example about: - the particular purposes of the separate 'Parts' and 'P' folders; - why you would want to SHOW some but HIDE others in the MLCAD.ini file; - what exactly the 'Scan Parts' instruction does, and when you need to use it; - what program(s) use the Part.lst file (or the Parts.xml file) as opposed to simply looking for .dat files in the relevant folders. Following Holly-Wood's instructions (http://www.holly-wood.it/mlcad/unofficial1-en.html) as best I could, I found the parts for the new CV joints (52730 & 52731) and the planetary hubs (46490) in the LDraw.org parts tracker, downloaded them (including required sub-parts) and put them in the <LDRAWDIR> Parts and Parts\s folders as appropriate. I have amended the MLCad.ini file following his example, un-commenting the lines referring to SHOW <LDRAWDIR>Unofficial\Helper and SHOW <LDRAWDIR>Unofficial\Custom (although I don't understand the significance of this, as the new parts aren't in these particular folders?). But starting MLCad (using my normal non-adminstrator account) after these changes did not appear to bring in the unofficial parts I'd added. I tried "Scan Parts" which did report new parts and offered to write a new Parts.lst file, which I accepted, but this did not seem to make any difference (from the timestamp, I don't believe that the Parts.lst file was actually being updated). By trial and error, I discovered that if I ran MLCAD instead as an administrator, the new parts I'd added did appear in the Parts Tree and the Parts Preview, and I could use them as normal in my model. That wasn't enough however for them to subsequently appear in MLCad when run later without administrator rights however. But if ran "Scan Parts" while using MLCad as an administrator, I was able to update the Parts.lst file. And subsequently, running MLCad without administrator rights then did have the new parts shown in the Parts Tree. But even though I could use them in a model (without 'Unknown Part' errors), they appeared only as a blank space in the Parts Preview window, and they did not show up in the actual model windows - which mean that they are practically unusable within MLCad as you can't see where you are placing them (other than by the coordinates in the parts list). See screenshots below for examples. They are definitely included in the library and in the model though, as a model built using them will display the added parts correctly using LDView. Also, MLCad shows the correct information in the status line when the cursor hovers over the blank space in the Parts Preview window. MLCad run with Administrator rights - the planetary hub and the CV parts show up in the Parts Tree, the Parts Preview window and in the model: The same model loaded into MLCad without Administrator rights - the new parts show up in the Parts Tree window, but only appear as blank spaces in the Parts Preview WIndow and in the model. Note that the cursor was hovering over the 'Technic Steering Constant Velocity 8mm Joint Female' part in the Parts Preview window when the screenshot below was taken, and the corresponding details appear in the status line, so the parts are present in the library The model viewed in LDView: So it would appear that something I've done (or not done) has messed up the rendering of the 3-D model of the added parts within MLCad - but only if run without administrator rights. Can anyone shed light on what I need to do to correct this? I am particularly puzzled by this behaviour, as I thought that regardless of whether MLCad was run as an administrator or not, it was still using the same installation of the program, the same MLCad.ini file etc in the <LDRAWDIR> folder, and so I don't understand how the part 3-D model can show up in one place and not the other. I can just about understand how MLCad can apparently be unable to update Parts.lst unless it has administrator rights, as that involves writing to a file. But surely, once the parts are in the library, displaying a 3-D represntation of a part from the library should only involve reading from a file(s), so why does administrator rights make this difference? Having said that, there are clearly other things going on with the setup of MLCad that I don't understand, as when I run it with adminstrator rights, I don't see the changes I made to the 'Settings/Parts Tree/Tree Configuration' that I made as an ordinary user. So that part of the setup must be stored somewhere separately for my 'administrator' user to my ordinary user, although as far as I can only see, they're both using the same 'C:\Users\Public\Documents\LDraw' folder? Any help would be gratefully received, including pointers to where I might find the answer elsewhere if necessary. PS I understand that could carry on using MLCad with administrator privileges to avoid this issue, but I would rather not do that if possible. And I am in awe of the capabilities of MLCad and the other LDraw programs, so am very grateful to the folks that enable them to be provided free for the community. Setup: Windows 10 MLCad 3.51 Environment variable <LDRAWDIR> is set up and points to C:\Users\Public\Documents\LDraw The Scan_Order section of the MLCad.ini file reads as follows: [SCAN_ORDER] 1 = SHOW <LDRAWDIR>Parts 2 = HIDE <LDRAWDIR>P 3 = SHOW <LDRAWDIR>Unofficial\Parts 4 = HIDE <LDRAWDIR>Unofficial\P 5 = SHOW <LDRAWDIR>Unofficial\Helper 6 = SHOW <LDRAWDIR>Unofficial\Custom
  3. Evening everyone, New member and first time poster here so apologies if this is in the wrong section. Im currently building a producing instructions for a model and have use a buffer exchange command to show the placement of a tile in the main build. Now Ive followed the information from Holly-wood.it and the working with pub google site but I still have an issue. The 'hovering' part appears with the arrow in the correct location but on the next step it recounts the piece in the PLI so you end up with a extra piece. Is it something simple that I've missed or arranged incorrectly ? The code looks correct but Im not sure. Here is the code: 1 0 420 -8 -460 0 0 1 0 1 0 -1 0 0 3068b.dat 1 0 460 -8 -460 0 0 1 0 1 0 -1 0 0 3068b.dat 0 STEP 1 0 -20 -8 -430 -1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 -1 3069b.dat 1 0 60 -8 -390 -1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 -1 3069b.dat 1 0 180 -8 -370 -1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 -1 3069b.dat 1 0 -100 -8 -370 -1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 -1 3069b.dat 1 0 380 -8 -380 0 0 1 0 1 0 -1 0 0 3068b.dat 1 0 420 -8 -380 0 0 1 0 1 0 -1 0 0 3068b.dat 0 BUFEXCHG A STORE 0 GHOST 1 0 -270 -64 -470 0 0 1 0 1 0 -1 0 0 3069b.dat 0 MLCAD ARROW 0 -250 -18 -470 0 1 0 -1 0 0 0 0 1 10 4 12 40 3 30 1 2 4 4 0 MLCAD SKIP_BEGIN 3 4 -250 -6 -470 -255 -21 -470 -250 -16 -470 3 4 -250 -6 -470 -245 -21 -470 -250 -16 -470 3 4 -250 -16 -470 -252 -18 -470 -248 -18 -470 4 4 -252 -18 -470 -252 -58 -470 -248 -58 -470 -248 -18 -470 0 MLCAD SKIP_END 0 STEP 0 BUFEXCHG A RETRIEVE 1 0 -250 -8 -460 0 0 1 0 1 0 -1 0 0 3069b.dat 1 0 460 -8 -370 -1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 -1 3069b.dat 1 0 260 -8 -430 -1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 -1 3069b.dat 1 0 340 -8 -390 -1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 -1 3069b.dat 0 STEP 1 15 -120 -8 -430 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 4162.dat 1 15 -80 -8 -410 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 4162.dat Thanks in advance
  4. This is a fictional space-themed LEGO shopping mall complex named "The Spaceship" due to the shape of main building resembling a spaceship. If that naming idea had come sooner I would probably have designed something that actually looked more like a spaceship, but the idea only came to me more than halfway through the project when I saw what shape the building was taking so I just used the idea to name and style numerous parts of the model. The model uses approx. 175000 parts and 258 custom sticker designs and measures 3810mm x 3493mm x 519mm (13.3m² footprint). It features 30 shops, 218 car parking spaces, 500 minifigs, bank, post office, library, cinema, amusements, restaurant, foodcourt, admin/security office, service access, maintenance areas, escalators, functional elevators, toilets, ice rink, gymnasium, boating pond, custom brick-built road layout, and real LEGO lighting in most of the main building and ice rink. The design attempts to be as functional as possible by providing convenient car access, separate rear public transport access, and separate rear service vehicle access to all shops on the first two levels, as well as multiple entrances and fire exits. It also attempts to be wheelchair/buggy friendly as much as possible using a mixture of stairs, escalators, ramps and a glass elevator. The main glass roof can be removed in two halves, as can the roofs of the gym, the wing shops, and the rear section, the latter of which reveals the battery packs for the LEGO lighting. There's also manual cable winders on both the customer and service elevators. I managed to get the water tank in too but had to forego the boiler room - despite the size of the build I found myself running out of space. The massive size of the model caused numerous problems, especially due to buggy software and PC limitations, so I had to reduce the intended length of the mall and forego a few other features too, but it's still by far the biggest model I've built. It probably should have taken around 6 to 9 months to complete, but due to personal and technical issues it ended up taking more than 2 years. This virtual LDraw model was built using MLCad software and rendered with LDView (sadly it's too big to render with POV-Ray), with additional construction, graphic and animation support via the use of PHP, LDraw Sticker Generator, LDraw txt2dat, LDraw LSynth, ImageMagick, Paint Shop Pro, GIF Movie Gear, IrfanView, PNGOUT, AviSynth, VirtualDub, and ffmpeg. Even had to use Excel to write macros to compute the precise angles needed for the curved window walls on the wings, which were too difficult to compute on paper. And no, I don't intend building it for real! Links: Flickr (lots more images) YouTube (looks better at 720 resolution) The video contains still images and many flyby sequences which give a better impression of the model by restoring some of the 3D visual cues lost due to the non-raytraced renders containing no shadows. Excuse the length of the video and number of images. It's a REALLY BIG model, and 25 images just wasn't going to do it... This is my first post here, and may well be my last! - during the uploads of the more than 200 images the PC terminally died and the remainder of the uploads and this post had to be done from a Raspberry Pi.
  5. Hello! Recently I've come across this video (which got me really hyped BTW). In the description the author states he got the models from MLCad and modified them to be low poly. I tried downloading MLCad, but the link to the parts database seems to be broken. If I got it right, MLCad uses the parts database of another program (LDraw if I recall correctly). I want to get the models, I don't care if they are from MLCad or from another program. I'd like to use them to make some animations with the Toa Mata. Can anyone help? Thanks :)
  6. I am currently working myself through this great tutorial using MLcad 3.4, LDView 4.1 and POV-Ray for Windows 3.7: [Guide] Rendering LDraw models using POV-Ray http://www.eurobrick...showtopic=65876 Now I want to gain more control of the the lights, so I've added a light.dat in the source .ldr file in MLCad. In LDView this light.dat is shown and I can switch it on and off and I can play around with "replace main lights". When it comes to the POW export I do not see any difference in the .pov file which is created. It always has the three default lights and I wonder where the only one light.dat is which I have inserted in MLCad. This is the //Lights section in my .pov file: // Lights #ifndef (LDXSkipLight1) light_source { // Latitude,Longitude: 45,0,LDXRadius*2 <0*LDXRadius,-1.414214*LDXRadius,-1.414214*LDXRadius> + LDXCenter color rgb <1,1,1> } #end #ifndef (LDXSkipLight2) light_source { // Latitude,Longitude: 30,120,LDXRadius*2 <1.5*LDXRadius,-1*LDXRadius,0.866026*LDXRadius> + LDXCenter color rgb <1,1,1> } #end #ifndef (LDXSkipLight3) light_source { // Latitude,Longitude: 60,-120,LDXRadius*2 <-0.866025*LDXRadius,-1.732051*LDXRadius,0.5*LDXRadius> + LDXCenter color rgb <1,1,1> } #end Is there any option in the export settings for the pov export of LDView to overwrite the default lights and just use the light.dat from the source .ldr? Anyone any ideas? Thanks in advance, HoMa
  7. When I'm working on something, I like to build with real bricks. But I also like to keep a digital copy of them for future reference. I usually have no problem with digital building in MLCad (except LSynth), but creating instructions is always a problem. The ordering of pieces requires huge amounts of time & care. What I'm asking is, what is the best way to build a digital copy of a real model, with the aim of making creating instructions easier? I'm asking about MLCad&LPub, but tips for other tools are also welcome. Also I almost exclusively do technic builds, so concerns might be different for regular bricks vs studless technic builds.
  8. Hello everyone, I don't know if someone had this problem before, but I'm trying to make some building instructions of a MOC I created and I'm using MLCad and LPub for it. Right now I have this situation Main model (mpd file) Submodel_1 (ldr file) Submodel_2 (ldr file) Submodel_3 (ldr file) Submodel_4 (ldr file) I need to insert a submodel inside Submodel_3, like Submodel_31, therefore Submodel_3 will become a mpd file, right? The problem I'm facing is that I can't insert the new Submodel_3 (mpd file) into the Main model. Does anyone know how to do it? The final situation I would like to have is: Main model (mpd file) Submodel_1 (ldr file) Submodel_2 (ldr file) Submodel_3 (mpd file) Submodel_31 (ldr file) Submodel_4 (ldr file) Is it possible? Thanks all
  9. Over at brickset a new version of the LDraw "All In One Installer" (AIOI) was anounced: http://brickset.com/...1-now-available On ldraw.org the full package is available: http://www.ldraw.org/article/104.html Before running this new AIOI I have some questions regarding my existing (and working) setup: I have downloaded and installed the latest parts update als complete package a few weeks ago (http://www.ldraw.org...test-parts.html) ... would the new AIOI overwrite this? I have downloaded various unofficial parts over the past months ... I want to keep them and does the new AIOI overwrite this? I run MLcad 3.4 ... 3.5 is out now. What are the differences/improvements? I run LPub 4.0.0.11 ... This seems not to be supported any more and the newer LPub3D 1.2.3.443.2 is part of the AIOI. If I run the new installer, will my old LPub will still be available in parallel to the new LPub3D? These are my major questions. I would be happy about clear answers and experiences of others upgrading a running LDraw setup. Thanks in advance, HoMa P.S. And a big big thank you to all the volunteer workers who helped out to update the LDraw world!
  10. While building #5540 Formula 1 Racer model, I had some trouble finding the exact position of the two gray plate of the motor. I've positionated them at the 54° angle on the 3938 1x2 hinge top, and then I found that the one on the right (viewing from the bottom of the model) appears to be "well" positionated with value X 200 Y 48.625 and Z 40.625. The plate on the left (ever viewing the model from the bottom) instead has the position values of Y 11.375 and Z 40.75. You can argue the pieces are not parallel, but in the editor they appear right. Where I'm wrong? Thanks for the answers, PN
  11. Could someone please tell me step by step how this is done. I opened one part of my model then imported another and was able to build what I wanted. But, in LPUB and LDVIEW only the building steps for the original part were there. When I do Mutlipart, then new, and repeat, nothing shows up in the edit panes. I'm 99% done with this first attempt at making building instructions.
  12. I'm trying to make building instructions for my 24 leg strandbeest. I like to share it. I'm new at this. Just wanted to know how to add text (if possible) to my instructions. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
  13. Courleciel

    Titanic’s Maiden Voyage

    A project by Courleciel, Papacharly and Ssorg We’d like to present you our new project based on the huge RMS Titanic built by Ssorg in 2012 (project has just reached the 10k supporters on Lego Ideas!). Dock, tugs and iceberg have been built by me in LDD, then transfered in LDraw. We optimized the model by adding all the portholes on the hull (not really an easy deal, but it was worthwhile!), the lights on the masts, the flag and the letterings (bow and stern). All renders have been made by Papacharly. Click here for high resolution images. First post will be edited with a new render each day up to April 15th. So don’t forget to come back there to take a look on other amazing renders ! We hope you will enjoy our work. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wednesday 10th April 1912 : Early morning, Titanic was docked. Passengers had not embark yet. Titanic_Southampton by papacharly24, on Flickr Inspired by this painting Titanic_Southampton_BW by papacharly24, on Flickr Four hours after leaving Southampton the ship arrived at Cherbourg (France) to pick up new passengers. Titanic_Bow by papacharly24, on Flickr Thursday 11th April 1912 : Titanic was going to reach Queenstown (now Cobh, South Ireland) and tenders brang some passengers aboard. At early afternoon, Titanic departed on her westward journey across the Atlantic. Titanic_Stern by papacharly24, on Flickr Friday 12th April 1912 : The ship steamed at full speed in the direction of New-York. Titanic_Bow_Side by papacharly24, on Flickr Saturday 13th April 1912 : Titanic sailed through calm waters. The temperature was getting colder as the ship came more and more closer to the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. Titanic_Sunset by papacharly24, on Flickr Sunday 14th April 1912 : Weather is clear, calm and very cold by this evening. Despite a serie of messages from other ships (such as SS Californian) warning of drifting ice, the ship struck an iceberg on starboard and the impact produced a huge opening in the hull. Titanic_Iceberg by papacharly24, on Flickr Monday 15th April 1912 : Water was pouring into the lowest levels of the ship. The first lifeboats were lowered into the freezing water. At 02 :20, Titanic disappeared from view. Titanic_Sinking by papacharly24, on Flickr
  14. Hello all, Trying to rotate 35 degrees in MLCad. I know you can rotate on x, y, z but this is more of a "turn". Almost a pivot point on top of another part if that makes more sense. Thank you!
  15. Hey guys, Sorry if this is a really basic question but this is my first time using MLCad and Lpub to make instructions. Okay so I am making instructions for my star ship, I split the model up into different parts and made instructions for each different part. The question is how do I make instructions for assembling the whole model together? Thanks in advance
  16. Virtual Movie Scene “Snowspeeder vs AT-AT” from Star Wars Episode V “Battle on Hoth”: Wedge Luke fights an AT-AT. Scenery and models (75049 Snowspeeder and 75054 AT-AT) virtually built with SR3D Builder. String (Rope) built with MLCad/LSynth. Povray render. Povray-file generated with LDView. Pure Render. Hope you like it! Edit October 16th: Now it is Wedge's "orange" Snowspeeder!
  17. Hello, this is pretty stupid, but could anyone tell me how to get bricks to connect in MLCAD? I downloaded it a while ago and can't figure out how to get them connected. When I pull bricks form the parts list they just sink into one another and won't connect. I tried the help Icon and got nowhere. If anyone could help me that would help a lot. Thanks, lego3364
  18. Until few days ago I was using Lego Digital Designer to build some models from time to time or to play around with some ideas. But since I hit an obstacle of missing parts more often than I would like to I decided to try something else. By the way I don’t quite understand where is the problem in adding all Lego pieces to LDD. I guess it is lack of “human resources” to do that job. But if so then why not open data format and allow fans to add the parts they miss, post them for a review or something so that on the Lego side of the task it would be much less work. Or maybe there is some programming needed around new pieces and thus the work cannot be released to public without actually releasing entire project. Anyway I’m dragging here myself from the topic so lets get back to the issue. I started with MLCad as from a quick “look around” it seemed a good starting point and quite popular. I gave a short try to LeoCAD but didn’t see any significant difference here. Then also SR 3D Builder which seemed to have advantage of auto-alignment of pieces like axles. But since it is under development (the one that installs with LDraw All-In-One-Installer doesn’t even work due to some integration issues – what is the point to include it that way?) and non-free I stopped exploring it (for now). But trying to do a model from instructions I had on paper I really struggled with MLCad. It is FAR more difficult to work with it than with LDD (at least for me – lets state here that I don’t have any CAD experience). And the most difficult part is to align pieces. As it comes to standard bricks the “Coarse Grid” seems to be good enough (but still alignment has to be done manually). But since I chose a Technic model obviously soon I came across pins, axles, bushes and holes. Aligning that still seems to me more of an art than science. (That is why I decided to give a short try to LeoCAD and SR 3D Builder.) I think that somehow I made it. Or at least it looks good enough on the 3D view. But I’m not entirely sure. Is there a way to verify model? If it is physically proper? That I haven’t move a pin one step to far for example? Can it be done automatically? Are there any tools to verify if model honors various building rules (like not stressing pieces too much)? And since I’m already writing then some side questions: Is it possible to move the camera rather than the model in the 3D view? That way it might be easier to see some details within the model? Is it possible (maybe in some external application) to animate MLCad model? Are there any open source editors for LDraw?
  19. So, I'm not much of a poster here, but for once I've had a productive week in terms of MOC'ing, or rather designing such in MLCad. So, I figured I'd share my designs here as well. Sadly, they all lack proper interiors such as furniture, curtains and whatnot, but I figured I'd put all that in once they are done IRB. First up is one I designed way back in November, after a spurt of inspiration at a local event; Mocca House. The two shops at ground level are meant to be a pair of competing coffee-bars, which are both accessed from the central corridor. From here entrance to the central staircase is also possible, with a single, large appartment at each floor. For me the modular building series is all about unorthodox building techniques, or challenging oneself to certain limits, and as easily seen on the second picture, the challenge here was to place the walls at an odd angle, in this case nine degrees, and keep it consistent all the way up to the top floor. The next one up is a building I've simply named Cream Flats, because of the tan color. This is more a planned re-use of parts for a trio of buildings I've already built, that I'm not satisfied with (lacking details, way to boxy design etc.), plus attempting to use basic colors as well. Middle floor is repeatable, meaning I can build several identical ones and they will all stack together without problems. I was experimenting with tile-patterns for the interior - with different colors, those might stay. Shops at ground floor are at the moment planned to be a florist and a... Well, I'm not sure. Something. And finally, a design that I started on today, and which ended up very different from how I had planned it. Still, I'm very pleased with: Chocolate Corner. The initial idea was to somehow integrate this piece into a modern corner building design, and as the design progressed, it was kinda left out, and ended up looking like a much more classic and older building than what was intended. The ground floor is planned to house a confectionary, and the building's colors are themselves supposed to mimic the different variations of chocolate. Again, there's not much of an interior other than inner doors and walls, and a staircase leading up to the two appartments. I've got a few more pictures on my Flickr-account, in case anybody wants to have a closer look. Other than that, what do you think? Edit: Make that a quartet! Here's a more recent building; Bianca's Bikes. It's a simple, lime green box, with a bike-shop at ground level, but I'm pleased with the result. It's heavily inspired by AlienCat's Harry Hardware Store, but I just couldn't keep myself away from designing something similar. The wall technique is the same as on Mocca Corner, but here it's far more visible how it works. I've tested using the 3x12 wing plates as I've done here in this model, and it's a fully viable building technique. The gap between the floor and the wall closes nicely without any gaping holes or stressing the bricks.