knotian

What is the general feeling about SmartBrick / S-Brick? If a model was completely LEGO bricks, would use of the S-Brick make the entire effort 'illegal'? I'd like to hear from someone who is / has judged MOCS. Is it accepted in MOC judging? Thanx, Ed

Tommy- Nice video! As a Blender user, I think this is an excellent synopsis of using Blender with Lego. As the earlier response stated, I would caution potential Blender users that there is a steep learning curve and computer graphics and animation is a path you want to embark upon with the knowledge that it will take a while to gain expertise. The import tool is very nice, as it eliminates the learning portion of Blender that relates to creating the render-able object. If you, the reader, want to use this tool, and have good looking results, there is a wealth of Blender tutorials, videos, books, etc., available on the 'net. It's a great PROFESSIONAL product, with the best price ($0.00). You can get hooked, so beware

I also align mine 90 degrees to the direction I intend to mount them from. Makes connections much easier as when there are umpteen pins on a beam.

Is there an alternative for this from another vendor. According to HiTech they are not supported, with Programming Blocks, with the latest firmware for the ev3 and there is no estimate when the updated block will be available. Thanx, Ed

This discussion should be expanded. I'm just returning from the 'dark ages' and the engineering and construction that goes into some of the larger kits is so fantastic (IMHO) that I find it discouraging to see it hidden by panels. Of course when the object is a scale model the panels are necessary to capture the design of the exterior. I tend to leave the panels off except where structurally necessary. The intricacy of the models is what I like to see.

DrJB- Thanks. Now I know why Hitechnic has angle sensors for sale.

My return was a fluke - I bought a Mindstorms for my Grandson and then made the misteak( ) of 'borrowing it. Since I am a retired computer geek, I didn't think it would get to me, but it did. There have been so many changes since I had Legos for my daughter!! Anyway ---Hooked--- Built a few of the Flagships to get some 'larnin' [And Parts] and now am busy on a PF/EV3 MOC. At least it keeps me out of my wife's hair.

All that I've read indicated the LEGO 45505 gyro sensor used for horizontal angle measurement. Can it work reliably in the vertical mode to measure things like slope or boom angle? The HiTechnic one can but I'm not sure if this is the same. Thanx,

According to the read me file you can do speed control of the PF motors. That would be a lot better than on/off.

Thanks again - It looks like this could be a real powerful tool to combine the EV3 with all those PF motors and sensors. I was considering daisy chaining EV3's, but this a very much cheaper way to go. 12 motors controlled by the EV3 should handle all my fantasy's for the foreseeable future. Ed

Jim, Thanx a lot According to the read me file this will work with Lego's IR Receiver also. Ed

The Lego Store is missing a bet not having the smaller Technic models available, at least the one close to me, they make good impulse items. You are correct about good parts. I bought two of one set just for the parts I wanted---about the same price as buying the parts I wanted plus a lot for my supply.

The panels serve a good purpose. The Technic beams do not present a good visual impact, while they are excellent for structures. What I would like to see are tiles, similar to the flat tile bricks, but dimensions to fit the Technic spacing. Even if it were just a few sizes with some flat, some with one curved edge and a 'standard' corner, they could be used universally to really clean up the Technic models. I have used 1 x N blocks stacked vertically to incorporate smooth surfaces in Technic models.

Anybody with experience with the IRLink sensor (NIL1046) when used with the EV3? Seems to me to be a method to control PF motors and their own battery supply without tying up EV3 Motor ports. Opinions? Thanks, Ed

Has anyone worked with the Bluetooth communication between bricks? If so-- 1- What is the practical range after pairing? 2-Does it have to be line of sight within a reasonable distance - say 8' x 8' area.? Thanks, Ed

Looking at the original a loop of rope around a spoke locked the mechanism. If you are interested in ancient machines send me an e-mail and I'll give you some references. They make an interesting read. Ed

I agree with 2Lego.. I'd like to see it manual. Don't sweat the colors,IMHO the function of a model is the important thing.

Thanks - The same thing can be accomplished by attaching a linear actuator to the battery switch. That still requires another motor. I was hoping for something directly from the port of the EV3.

The solutions for using pf motors with ev3 that I've seen use the power from the ev3 battery to power the pf motors. Is there a way to use the ev3 to control the on/off function of the pf motor while having the pf power still come from the pf battery?

Vectormatic - now that's thinking!!! good idea!. I'm not afraid of other languages since I've used many over the past 50 years or so. The people I am dealing with are exposed to the Graphical Mindstorm environment and I'd like to push that rather than start them on a new track. Ed

Dave - thanks but I'm not sure if EV3G can handle a 18k+ single array. For the time being I am wanting to stay with EV3G to aid in to the mindstorm learning process. The application involves mapping a 96 by 198 stud environment.

I know about single level arrays in EV3 G, but would like to do a mapping program where I need a large 2 dimensional array. Any suggestions? I know I can do it other languages, but I'd like to stay with G for a while. Thanx, Ed

Just wanted to share. Ed

I would like to make some conveyor belts. There are two links and one tread. There may be others but I haven't run across them yet. Technic Chain Link 3711.dat Technic Chain Link with two studs 273.dat Technic Chain Tread 17 3873.dat Do they work together? What gears do they fit? Any reliability issues? Thanx, Ed

Thanks a lot - What would I change to make it technic holes rather than studs? Ed