NKubate

Many good points have been raised already, but I haven't seen anyone mentioning phenomena regarding visual perception which are known as the Gestalt principles also referred to as Prägnanz. These principles consist of: law of similarity, law of continuation, law of closure, proximity, figure, and order/ symmetry. Becoming familiar with these principles can certainly help your creations, especially designing with Technic. I try to apply these principles in my designs whenever and wherever I can.

Nice work, Erik! Not sure if I should continue my project now, seeing this... Although I do agree with quite a few of the points you raise, I think we should accept that the focus of the Technic formula has been shifting over the years. It's pretty clear that closing up the body with more aesthetic details gets more attention nowadays, whether we like it or not. But apparently most people buying Technic models these days do, and it would be silly of TLG not to satisfy the largest install base. It might have to do with a general trend that I have noticed in which we rather seem to consume and use engineered products, instead of wanting to know how they actually work. However having said this, I can much relate to your critique regarding the beam overload, the part inefficiency in general and a dissatisfying result, although I do not think it is as bad as we might think. We should always remember that we do not know the initial requirements that the designers had to work with, which makes it hard to pass judgement. Furthermore design is all about making compromises, in which you simply cannot please all. Nonetheless IMHO the model could certainly have provided a much more satisfying experience, both from a mechanical point of view and from a building perspective. Looking forward to seeing further progression!

Intriguing to see that people set themselves completely different goals when it comes to modifications; some like to add as many extra features as possible, whereas I am much more interested in reducing and simplifying things. That's what is so great with this medium! Glad to read that there is an interest for such "boring" hard to see stuff. Yeah, I have to think a little on how to present such an "optimization" topic in an interesting and easy to understand way. Comparison between the models with a short explanation would probably make most sense. Then I just have to figure out the most effective medium for doing this; photo's, digital models and/or instructions... Someone else asked me this too if I would look into changing sections of the externals. For the moment this is not part of the plan, but I guess we'll just have to see how things progress...

This car looks spectacular! Still I always keep my reservations without knowing the building quality or ingenuity of the model. Nonetheless I congratulate you with this great achievement. I don't know if I would have the patience to work that long on one model...

The past few weeks I have been working on a redesign for the front section (box 2). However - similar to the rear section - many of the changes seem hard to notice because it's about parts optimization and efficiency, where the overall structure will not change that much in comparison. I could go more into detail of different sections and submodules with all the modifications I have done and my reasoning behind it if people are interested, but then it's perhaps better to make a separate blog of it... Suggestions? For now some more pics to share, with the most notable differences visible at the bottom. Chiron redesign WiP front section by Nathanael Kuipers, on Flickr Chiron redesign WiP front bottom by Nathanael Kuipers, on Flickr

When it comes to your first question I wouldn't recommend such a marketing strategy. Releasing an "imperfect" product should perhaps only be considered when you aim for early adopters and then plan to release a "new and improved" version based on the received feedback quite a while later. Generally speaking though it's considered poor business. There is a small chance that they wanted to go for a higher piece count to be able to increase the price, but I consider it more likely that the circumstances just weren't there for a fully optimized model. Because it's been more than a year since I've built anything with Technic and actually several years since I've designed anything more advanced, I thought it would be better to start with this exercise first, especially when there is this strong feeling that this model can be improved (simplified) quite a bit. Perhaps a "proper" B-model could be a possibility somewhere in he future...

Impressive work with all the modifications and upgrades! The rearrangement of the gearbox in particular looks great. Now I finally got to build the official model myself, I couldn't help but think what if I would try to go a step further and do a complete overhaul of the Chiron... I got the impression that there is further room to reduce material, make it lighter while keeping/ improving structure integrity, basically trying to engineer everything more efficient. I like to keep the original as it is now, so I've been duplicating parts of the model, while redesigning sections of it. I'm working with placeholders occasionally, as I do not have duplicates of all parts. For now it's just a WiP so that's why I chose to work mainly in red and LBG, making it easier to see where possible module interfaces could be done differently. Here is the first part: a redesign of the rear axle. Chiron redesign by Nathanael Kuipers, on Flickr

Glad to read you like the design! Well, it is a B model; some solutions would most certainly be done differently in an official model and it uses only around 60% of the total inventory (ca. 750 parts). At the moment there are no instructions available. I might look into this if there is enough interest...

Not sure which forum this fits best, but decided to go for scale modeling (admin please change if inappropriate). There has been a lot of commotion on the new Creator Expert car 10262 Aston Martin DB5. On request of Brixtar, I was asked to do a slightly different review, where it was all about rebuilding possibilities. In about a weeks time - you can read and see more regarding (process) details on my website NKubate, this tractor truck is the end result: Truck front by Nathanael Kuipers, on Flickr It includes opening doors, tilting cab and lots of other details like for example an inline 6-cylinder engine. Truck engine compartment by Nathanael Kuipers, on Flickr

I agree that the F40 is a great set with lots of cool details and building techniques, but also I felt that the proportions needed some work. Even though yours is a step in the right direction, I still wasn't sure about the result. So I did my own version which probably required a lot more work moving the whole interior and roof section backward and increasing the overhang at the rear. This is the result: 10248 Ferrari F40 mod by Nathanael Kuipers, on Flickr 10248 Ferrari F40 mod by Nathanael Kuipers, on Flickr 10248 Ferrari F40 mod by Nathanael Kuipers, on Flickr

This is my first official commissionary project where the request was to build a replica of the Renault Sport F1 2027 visionary concept. It was designed and built in a little over a week in my spare time due to a very tight deadline. There was a good chance that this model would be produced in small numbers so I couldn't use extremely rare parts that were hard to get and expensive. Because it has been exclusively designed for this commissionary project I'm not allowed to share any type of instructions. RS2027 by Nathanael Kuipers, on Flickr by Nathanael Kuipers, on Flickr More info and pictures are available on my website NKubate.com: http://nkubate.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&layout=item&id=75&Itemid=762

Now that TLG made this model on LEGO Ideas a staff pick and with the hype around the recent Zelda game, it might be a good time to share a few more pictures here as well. I would be grateful if you do support this project: https://ideas.lego.com/projects/154024 Link careful balancing Link defense Link Sword skyward Link defeated

Well, I'm aware that TLG didn't go ahead with a Zelda themed playset that received 10.000 votes at Ideas. The reason however for the rejection is unknown to me and I doubt that anyone else knows. Often those things are not mentioned in public. So who knows what happens this time... Nintendo also seemed to have opened up a little when it comes to licensing their properties.

This is the first MOC I present here on EB. It's a large scale figure of Link from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time measuring around 1 foot/ 30 cm tall. He has 14 joints of articulation so he can be posed in several positions. This is also the first time that I have submitted a model to LEGO Ideas and it would be much appreciated if you could support and share if you like this model. Here's the link (no pun intended) to the project: Link to Ideas

Let's see if including a picture works... 60067 Marshalls in Marshland by Nathanael Kuipers, on Flickr

First question you need to ask yourself: "Is my model representing a specific real life object which is registered or something from an IP?" If the answer is: "Yes", then you are officially not allowed to commercialize (read: sell) instructions or kits or whatever, without a license agreement with the holder of the rights. So actually what quite a few talented builders on here are doing, selling instructions for models like Land Rovers, Porsche's, Ferrari's, Lamboghini's, Koenigsegg's, McLaren's, Scania's, Volvo/ Liebherr construction equipment, Star Wars, etc, basically using any brand name and without having a license agreement with the brand, are illegal practices.They could be sued for it, because they are profiting/ benefiting from a company's property, popularity and brand name. So if you want to sell or commercialize your model make sure that it is differentiated enough and do not use or refer to a name that is registered. Then the next thing you have to figure out for yourself is if making and commercializing your work is worth the effort. Yes, you could make some money, so perhaps to keep the hobby self sustainable, but it also takes a lot of extra time, so making a living out of it is only for a select few. (And then the question is if it's still fun as a hobby, or if it becomes work...)

Making instructions is certainly not easy; it's tedious, takes a big effort (a bigger Technic model can take over a month) and the programs are far from flawless with a steep learning curve. Building things in MLCad is not my thing either; like many others I'd rather design and build things physically. But did that stop me from working with those programs? Nope, because I want to learn and grow in my skills and knowledge. Sure it isn't easy, sometimes frustrating and often trial and error, but that's part of learning. If you want to become good at something you need to practice and not give up when things get tough, that's just how it is. We all started with zero experience. I think the bigger question you need to answer for yourself is if you want to put in the effort to get yourself familiar with those programs. Here's a link to a Dutch website that covers some of the basics to help you on your way: http://www.binarybricks.nl/

It's kind of discriminating that I'm the only one disqualified to compete, but I guess it's flattering as well. Oh well, that's the price one has to pay I suppose when you have a certain reputation. Anyways, good luck everyone and have fun! Looking forward to seeing what you all come up with.

There are actually quite a few who make a living out of it (or try to) and I'm certain that the designers at TLG also get paid for their work. The problem is that the boundaries between hobby and profession are disappearing, especially when it comes to artists. For example it becomes increasingly difficult to compete as a professional artist (whether in graphic-, web-, productdesign, sculpting, music...) when there are so many people out there who offer their services for free, because to them it's "just a hobby". Don't get me wrong, because I think it's amazing to see how much creativity and talent is out there, but I also have very much respect for those who decide not to share their work (for free), because they understand the complications and in a way try to protect the creative industry; some people have to make a living out of it. As you can see there is something to say for both sharing and not sharing (for free). So to me it is indeed a dilemma, that I'm constantly aware of.

I totally understand your dilemma on whether or not to share creations. This issue is actually a lot more complicated than most replies imply and it has certainly nothing to do with being paranoid. Instead we have to broaden our perspective if we really want to understand the bigger picture. Some say that sharing ideas, technology and information only results in better solutions. Although I certainly agree with this, the majority of businesses don't work like this, and actually try to protect their products and innovations as much as they can. Why? If they would give their ideas away for free, the competition would steal them, and sell them in a slightly different format. I'm sure this business couldn't survive and would be out of business in no time. That's why they work secretly, copyright and patent all their creative ideas and innovations. If someone steals/ copies them, they get sued for high sums of money. Now I happen to be in the creative industry myself, but do not have a large corporation behind me or the money to protect my work. So instead I decide to share my work with others, with the intention to inspire and help eachother. Now what will happen? Would people support me and donate? Perhaps a few, yes, but the majority would use it for their own needs, and if not individuals, then certainly companies. The company would say thank you very much, make a lot of money on my creative skills/ profession for free, while I struggle to survive. And still I have to pay for the products or services of that company. So to be able to pay for these products I decide to ask fees for some of my work and services. Companies and most people are perfectly fine with that, and don't mind paying, but why is it always such a big issue in this community? And why is it that less and less have respect for intellectual property rights anymore?! If the trend of sharing ideas and information for free continues like this, I'm convinced that the gap between rich and poor will only increase, small creative businesses will disappear, and big companies get even more power and influence. Is that what we really want? Basically this concept only works if everyone is in and everything is shared for free, which I don't think will happen anytime soon unfortunately... So please respect other people their intellectual property rights, be a little bit more grateful for all those amazing artists (LEGO and non-LEGO) who share their work for free, support them and give credit where credit is due. Is that too much to ask?!