rob-cubed

Nifty, I need to spend more time poking around on Peeron: http://www.peeron.com/cgi-bin/invcgis/colorguide.cgi http://www.peeron.com/inv/colors The Pantone colors listed are far more valuable as a standard, since these are custom-mixed inks much like the dye used to color LEGO. It's about the only way to get consistent color in the print world. Even CMYK values won't reproduce the same depending on substrate, ink density, and a host of other variables. Their CMYK builds they listed are also very different than Pantone's own lookup values. That's not necessarily a bad thing... but it just illustrates how difficult trying to match color can be.

Exactly! My two faves are 31012 Family House and the retired 4954 Model Town House. Both were less expensive and while not modulars, they at least approached a more realistic size and felt "finished" externally. I do love the interior details they put into the new 31026 set, but I'm still struggling with the overall scale and value of it. It's not priced to be a very good parts kit.

This is too cute! I especially love the sign lettering and the interior details. Very nice work.

Welcome back into the fold! A new LEGO pirate ship is on the horizon later this year.

Thanks! This definitely gives me some additional ideas for the next iteration!

Yeah, if this was $79 instead of $89 I'd be much more tempted to buy it. Next to the other houses in the Creator line, it feels like they tried to cram too much into too little space. The alt builds actually look well thought out though, not quite as remedial as some of the other 3-in-1 builds.

Yes, BL will be the cheapest as long as you can keep the number of total orders down to save on shipping.

Xfing, this is a really interesting exercise, thanks for sharing! Unfortunately, it's not *quite* as scientific as it sounds. Start with a subtractive color like dyed ABS plastic, and we can theoretically obtain an exact match using additive color. But the problem is accurately reproducing that RGB color build. There is no color display consistency between monitors or even operating systems (PC colors are darker than Mac, and LCDs trend bluer than CRTs). In other words, the RGB build that is an exact match for old gray on my monitor will probably not look like an exact match on yours. That said, the slight variations shown by your chart seem pretty spot-on. Both old grays are a little on the greenish side, new bley is pretty close to neutral on the bluish side and new dark bley is just a tiny bit on the reddish side by comparison. I have often wondered what color control system LEGO uses to standardize their output. I've noticed a fair amount of variation in sand green and reddish brown, for example, while other colors tend to be very consistent. It's not an easy task to get consistent color, especially when dealing with multiple production facilities.

I wouldn't worry about replicating numbered bags. One big bag is fine... maybe separate out minifigs and windows so they don't get scratched, and any small or unique pieces so they are easier to find. Microbuilds can even stay intact. If you don't ever plan on building anything else with them, organizing by kit makes sense.

I don't have a LEGO room (but need one). I have to juggle around crates of parts just to get to the piece I'm looking for. No real room for displaying, just building. I still have a few boxed sets in the corner that haven't been opened. What inspires me is forums like this one. Other people and their ideas. That's what gets me motivated.

^^ I agree, Itchy & Scratchy make me really happy although I can understand why people would want a "real" character more central to storylines. I see no reason why we wouldn't get a Simpsons CMF #2 if this one sells well though. Plenty of characters left!

Time lapse. Without hands it would probably be less distracting. Although you might consider about inserting some actual video in parts, like turning the build in relation to the camera for work on the backside... or if there's any SNOT techniques you want to show off in detail.

Green Grocer *is* a tiny bit larger than the other townhouse modulars--mostly due to the height of the roof which makes it almost 3-1/2 floors--but it still feels right at home next to PS. I like the fact that they aren't all the same height. But you could always modify the roof and make it shorter.

Welcome to the forum!

Nice greebles for detail. Looks great, especially the big stained glass window. Old churches have such inspired construction, it's a shame LEGO has stayed away from them.

Animal Logic, the production company behind the animation, said their designers used LDD for nearly all of the initial models and had real LEGO on their desks throughout the process. Something like 3 million real bricks were used in addition to all the virtual ones. Every building, every scene, could feasibly be built. What's surprising is how many people that were adults but weren't AFOLs touched the set designs (I wonder how many emerged a AFOLs as a result)! They pulled in a lot of external AFOL talent for the credits (a work of art in and of itself). I hope the sequel "crowd-sources" more community talent. It would be awesome to see your own LDD MOC used in the background of a scene.

How do you manage any addiction? You try to be a functioning addict, or you quit. I've been an AFOL for two years now and LEGO has taken over half of my dining room (much to my wife's chagrin). I have a small house so am restricted by space first, and money second. My willingness to part out sets for new builds makes both the space and money go MUCH farther. It's just so tough to sacrifice something you've spent days or weeks building. That's the balance I'm struggling to find... because once displayed, you have to buy more parts. It's the building that's really the addictive part. And so far I have enough other interests that my wife hasn't divorced me

Kre-O, though I've heard MegaBloks is catching up. I don't have many "off brands" but I got a Jeep Willys from Cobi and am pretty impressed with the build quality. They also have a Scooby Doo series I've been considering. Lots of up-and-comers, especially in the military themes. I wish Toys r' Us here in the states would carry a broader selection of brands.

I like it! Although not sure Legoism is a religion or a cult? Either way, tax-free status and corporate write-offs, here we come... A buddy is "ordained" in the Church of Subgenius and legally married my friend. If they can be recognized as legitimate, so can we. I see cakes with LEGO bride and groom toppers in my near future. Vows: "May we bond forever without Kragle."

I know, right? I'm considering selling my soul to pick up a few new sets. How much do you think I can get for it?

Ah, good ol' 10228--the set that pulled many of use out of our dark ages. Welcome!

I didn't see these posted yet, so apologies if it's buried one of the movie threads: http://imgur.com/a/w3WB2 30 hi-res photos of the actual set used in the LEGO Movie at the end (Finn's Basement), taken at LEGOLAND California as part of a launch event. EDIT: Here is a link to some additional photography of the basement by another fan (some very similar, but with some additional details like the horse riding a horse and the spaceship Spaceship SPACESHIP!): http://culinaryadven...e-legoland.html If you look closely you can see most of the official movie sets like the Ice Cream Machine and The Sea Cow. I love the run-down Firehouse about to be demolished and some of the other modulars they snuck in. My favorite are probably the castle and wild west areas. Can't wait until caps from the movie scenes start popping up online. There was so much inspiration to be had, so much went by so fast.

@1974: loving those 2x1x2 translucent curves and the double-sided SNOT bricks. If there are two areas I'd really like to see new parts development, it's SNOT and curves. 88292 (1x3x2 curved arch) is my favorite part to date... it solves so many problems elegantly. Hard to believe they didn't exist just a few years ago...

Thanks for the kudos everyone! Ah, you are right... I need to apply some signage. The gray shutters are the perfect size for the set's menu stickers but have to figure out something for the roof. I didn't realize there was actually a kabob trailer in the movie... that's awesome!

These are incredible, especially the over-the-top tank. Beautiful use of barrels as... a barrel!