Kristof

Knockoff doesn't really stand for IP or patent infringement products :) It's simply a thing that imitates some established brand product, which I think without a doubt this really is. Other than that I understand you. The only reason I would not enjoy building from non-lego parts, no matter what the price advantage was, would be the (nearly pathological) brand loyalty :D Even holding knockoff parts in hand feels weird, frankly. But sure enough, that concludes that I can just about dream about building big MOCs like these.

I have only ever attempted to sell one moc instructions so I can't really bring any large data, but I am pretty sure that as good of a model as it may be, it would get next to no attention if it weren't for the Star Wars theme. I am not anywhere close to counting the sales in hundreds so I really don't feel bad for using the IP to drive the success (if you can even call it that way) of my model, but it's really a good thing to keep that in mind. I am trying to imagine what my feelings would be, should I have found out about some Chinese knockoff selling my model as a kit... frankly I think I wouldn't care so much. In a way, it means that the model is good :D And mind you this is a pure hypothesis, but I don't think there is a big overlap between the customers that would buy the knockoff kit and lego people who would potentially buy the instructions from the designer. Maybe @onecase's numbers are on the whole another level and the perspective is different. but I don't think the existence of these products cuts down on the profit from instructions sales. I still don't love them - they are sure infringing copyright laws on multiple levels, but it's not like they'd steal my hard-earned money... There are other mechanisms that do that much more efficiently and they are legal :D Frankly, I am more easily upset by the lone individuals that would re-sell the instructions on Ebay (or even Rebrickable sometimes, happened just recently with an excellent UCS Rey's speeder, which I found to be for sale by totally not the original designer. Luckily the mods reacted quickly to my report). I really like the practice mentioned in a few posts above, when someone is only selling the parts and redirecting for the instructions to the designer. That's sweet. I reckon they still use knockoff parts which is a bit less sweet, but ultimately it allows someone to build an excellent model that someone put some heart and elbow grease into, which I think is really nice. For me, frankly, the excitement and happiness of the people that report to me after they have built my model feel more important than the cash, which, for me, is mainly to mentally justify the extra time and effort that went into making the instructions.

I have no doubts you do your best. My note was more towards the designers. But given that, as you say, these mocs are designed as a oneofakind and the instructions are an afterthought, I understand that the options are limited. I have a good idea where the part difference is coming from and hence my question was about comparing the impression the finished model offers. I know that drawing conclusions is inherently subjective in such cases and one could go on forever whether exposed studs are ok or absolutely ruin the looks. In a hindsight, I don't even know what kind of answer was I looking for originally :D

I would be really interested in some hands on comparison (as unbiased as it can be) of the Monarch and 75252. if the difference in the overall presence and feel is worth the extra 6.5k parts. There are things I don't like about the new set, but I have to give the designer credit for being able to pull this of with 'only' 4700 ish parts. I know that with a model of this size, accidentally increasing the part count by a thousand or two just by adding reinforcements and needful details is super easy. Emphasis on part efficiency or avoidance of rare parts is something I am missing in many of the great MOCs with instructions. I understand that if the goal is the ultimate look, corners can't be cut, yet perhaps there is still something to learn from the lego designers work in that regard.

I'm not in the market for any set above... meh, $200ish, simply because I can't afford it, so I feel like commenting on price is pointless in my case. It is an exciting set nonetheless and I have a few initial observations: First, For the detail and size, the part count is actually quite moderate. I know from experience that it's very easy to have close to finished model and then add some detailing and double the part count. I feel like that's something that makes the job of Lego designers much more challenging and they have to really master the skill for efficient part usage. I also really like the greebling. Somehow, very often the UCS sets feature some examples of greebling which look so great to me, and I can't even say why. If you push me against the wall I would say that it's because of its simplicity and elegance, and selective use of interesting patterns. Some ISD mocs have objectively much more intricate and perhaps accurate (if that's even measurable) greebles, yet they look less clean and eye-pleasing than this. On the other side, I am really not that sold on the back side. Starting with the panel edges which seem cheap to me with the overhanging 2x3 tiles and accompanying jumper plates connected from the bottom side. The thrusters themselves are no work of art either IMO. I am not with the crowd that claims they should be dome instead of a cone, I mean, I haven't studied the reference all that much but I always saw some sort of truncated cone with a quick transition to a cylinder and then entering the hull. Anyway, despite the shape, choice of these large cone pieces just seems lazy (though it might have saved some pieces). The rim is ugly and these 3 flaps don't bring salvation either. In the video, the designer cherishes the idea of building with existing elements and I agree that it's not great to create a ton of new parts in whenever there is a slight need. But one or two new molds would I think fit the set like this one. like a faceted 4x4 half dome for the deflectors, which simply don't look great smooth like this. Or something to help out with the miserable thrusters. Last, Not sure if thats just the camera angles in the video, but I noticed quite a lot of colorful internal parts showing through the gaps. Perhaps just the excessive studio lighting... I could imagine the inside should be pretty dark most of the time. All in all, I don't think this is a letdown of any kind, though, once again, I don't consider the price, which may or may not be really high.

I love it except for the 4x4 tile with 4 studs on the front face. The square shape, though very close approximation of the trapezoid plating panel, just doesn't look right. Maybe it's the row of studs on the bottom which exaggerates the improper look for me. Great model anyway!

Nice! I actually like the different color for the wedge stripe in the middle of each foil. I don't think it's accurate (at least from what i can tell from that glimpse in the trailer) but it just makes it look visually interesting. Nice job on the cockpit as well!

Looks stellar! Proportions are key with these models and you nailed it.

That's fantastic! The flow of the blue stripe is amazing, I love how it gets thicker in the bend. I wonder how you got the slight inward taper on the thruster fins - how are the engine blocks connected to the hull. Oh and last - is that ball joint piece that connects the canons on the sides still being made or is it a discontinued piece?

Cool concept! I don't know how much fun the balancing swing can be in the long run, but it's certainly cool to see it run for a surprisingly long time. Plus the vignettes look cool even without the motion.

As of now, frankly, I am myself bothered by the persistent moc threads no more than I am by the dozen pinned topics or things like 'update your minifigs' or worse yet 'your last purchase', which are occupying the first page constantly and, quite frankly, those are more like boring chatrooms to me than anything else. The threads with these high demand mocs often feature people posting pictures of their completed builds or WIPs which can be cool. And the fact that some other topics get pushed away... well, yes, though it rarely happens to me that I find some true jewel being left unnoticed on the second or third forum page, and that is with me hardly checking back every day. I have a hard time estimating whether in near future it is likely that we have first 2 pages worth of MOC instructions related posts, where it would really scream for some solution. Maybe the current trend suggests that? If so, starting a subforum might be sensible so people slowly transition to using it. But then again the forum mechanics doesn't seem sleek enough to me that it will ever be free of maintenance. Plus the actual MOC topics would lose quite a bit of audience without the exposure.

@ProvenceTristram I haven't built it but just from looking at the instructions, it looks plenty rigid. There is quite a bit of technic structure combined with layers of plates to stiffen everything longitudinally.

I hope my joke came through lol :D Its a fantastic model. I can only put my signature under anyone else's praise. Just fabulous!

Too bad this is not Falcon. Then it would have been perfect!!

^ Yep, makes sense when you explain it more. Good, albeit non trivial suggestion. these good looking ring diameters made out of curved slopes don't just run around in arbitrary sizes :D I would like to see a take on it though. Could be interesting.

@atlas By that you mean making the 'rings' progressively smaller with faster rate? I feel like that would make the steps look too big and ugly.

Dude... that picture looks good! Am I missing something or is there no actual pdf file with the instructions? I see the Bricklink generated one, but that one just keeps 'fetching bricks' for me :D I feel like this model is cool enough to absolutely deserve an actual instructions book. On that note, is there any way I could forward a few bucks to you as as a gesture of thanks for your efforts? I know you share it for free, but I would still like some option to make a small donation.

From some reason this looks like nothing from Star Wars to me :) Don't ask me why, I probably couldn't make up a solid answer. Just the vibes it gives... no SW there. As a Sci Fi spaceship it looks great tho :D

Satisfaction here :) The instructions look well crafted, especially for such large model. The design appears great as well. Thanks Kit!

Dare you apologize for a thing...! :D Everyone is glad you shared it and I think some collective feedback may actually yield even more optimized result than if you waited longer and strived for perfection before publishing.

I am mindblown to say at least. Fantastic design, spectacular presentation and massive generosity.

Spectacular!

That's pretty great!

This is starting to feel almost bittersweet for me. You are doing exactly what i was hoping to have done one day. And you are doing it better than I think i could have So I can just sit back and watch... which is all I have time for anyway

Sky is the limit...! and budget... and available parts... and... :D