Blakbird

No, the rotation center is not 0,0,0, it is the center of the model. Depending on the coordinates you use to build your model, 0,0,0 might not be inside the model at all. So in this case, the shift lever is in the exact center of the model bounding box. It is not at 0,0,0. Trick question. I just rendered 8466 and it works for that too!

Sure! I just got a new server so I should be able to handle the traffic. It's not like I earn anything on traffic, but the web page is there for people to use; the more the better.

It's possible, but it's a LOT more work. Every model has a built-in "LDXCenter" so I can use the same animation instructions for every file without duplicating effort. To rotate around a different point I would need to have those coordinates in the global axis system which is not always so easy to find especially if the part you want to rotate around is in a submodel. The other problem would be that the model would sweep a larger diameter circle if it was not rotated around the center, and therefore I would have to zoom out and make it smaller in order to fit in the same window. No, there is no special function. I create 80 separate renders, each at a different angle. I can do this with a batch in POV-Ray. Then I use Adobe AfterEffects to make the animation file by stitching the frame together and applying a delay between each frame.

For those of you who just can't get enough obscure Technic knowledge..... Did you know that the transmission shift lever of the 8448 Super Street Sensation is in the exact geometric center of the model when in neutral? For Technicopedia, I am trying to make revolving rendered animations of every Technic model. This process involves creating a POV-Ray file, then rotating the model on the Y-axis in 80 frames using the LDView variable "LDXCenter". LDXCenter is simply the center of the 3-dimensional bounding box containing the model. When I animated the 8448 model, I got this: Because I tend to notice minute and irrelevant details, I noticed that the shift lever remains totally stationary and rotates in place! Now you know something you didn't know before. Contrast this with something like a helicopter where the fact that it does NOT rotate around the axis of the rotor is quite noticeable and seems a little weird.

Thanks so much for all your work on this. I have more renders running as I type. I think the next question is obvious. What about the trailer?

Thanks for all the additional data and photos. I particularly appreciate those taken from inside the cabin and flight deck. Even though I was there to see the model, there was no way I could get any interior pictures with my giant SLR camera. You must have used something really small, but the pictures look great. Thanks again for sharing this creation.

These are some of my favorite LEGO trucks. I have not built one (yet), but I've just done this:

That always happens. Bricklink and LDraw don't always use the same part numbers, so a few of them you need to give Brickstore a hint. Once you have them all in Brickstore though, it is a breeze to get a Bricklink wanted list and start shopping.

Really!?! What chains?

Given the size of the model and the fact that it contains pneumatics and power functions, I would guess that a total Bricklink value would be about $500 in parts plus shipping. Obviously if you already have some of the parts that cost would come down.

Fantastic and comprehensive review with really excellent pictures! Thank you for taking the time to do this. Regarding the flexible tubing, it is the same color as on many other sets and is generally called "Pearl Light Gray". There was a slightly different in the color in the past, metallic silver, as used on sets like 8458.

Very nice work! it is amazing not only how well it works but how good it looks. It is obviously also extremely durable.

I buy all my parts via Bricklink. For a large model like Han's truck, expect to need 10-20 Bricklink to get all the parts if you are starting for scratch because no one will have all the parts. If you are in Australia, you will pay a lot for shipping.

You could certainly make one. I've seen plenty of brick built buckets, and you could even use the simple old built up bucket like on 856. The problem, I think, is that brick built buckets tend to be heavier and 8043 already has trouble lifting the boom. Adding more mass would seem to be a losing battle.

Those extra parts have nothing to do with the boom issue. They keep one of the gears for the drive system from falling off.

Han never ceases to amaze me with his wonderful creations. This is really great MOC and with such well done instructions (0ver 700 pages) I just have to build it. I have already started the renders.

I don't understand it either, but it works!

These 3 are all cool models, but the real magic of this helicopter is the combination of the co-axial counter-rotating rotors with the fact that both upper and lower rotors have swashplates with collective and cyclic. When someone builds a model of that, I'll really be impressed. In fact, forget the helicopter, just build the rotor mechanism. Mark Bellis, I'm looking at you.......

I've been meaning to start a thread comparing these 2 with some pictures side by side. I actually think 8053 stacks up pretty well. It is smaller and cheaper, so you can't expect it to be equivalent. Despite the 2 section boom instead of 3, it still reaches almost as high as 8421. Both have 4 axles with multi-axle steering. Obviously 8421 has a motor, but a motor can be added to 8053. Like all models with linear actuators, it is almost unusable without a motor. The little crank gears on the side will give you cramps in your hand each time you raise or lower the boom which takes forever. An actual crank would have been much preferred. They are both very good looking models, and both look even better when sitting side by side! The outriggers on 8053 are not very sturdy, but this type of "cross" supports can't be made much stronger at this scale since they need to be supported at a single axle. Overall, I was very pleased with it, even as an owner of 8421. If you don't have 8421 and don't want to spend the money on it, I'd certainly recommend 8053 as a reasonable substitute which is only slightly less functional.

Some things are too beautiful to be tampered with. The Ferrari is among them. I am entertained by stretched limousines, but only boring cars should be destroyed to make them.

Good timing on an 8421 thread. I just finished building the MLCAD file of the official 8421 set and I was happy to get involved with this wonderful model again. I have not built Han's Xl version, but I've always meant to. I have rendered it though.

Thanks very much for all the work you put into this. It is definitely on my list!

You need to use the "insert media" button. Like this:

I live only a few miles from North Bend Washington, so he should just send me this MOC so I can take pictures of it in the right location for him.

Selling the sets on Bricklink before you had the replacement parts in hand was a gamble. You probably should not have promised anything to your buyers that you could not guarantee you could deliver. I can understand how it would be frustrating, but LEGO did not promise any certain date for the delivery of the service packs other than "October". I think it's harsh to call anyone at LEGO idiots. They are obviously trying very hard in a difficult situation. My initial request was also for two service packs (since I have two copies of 8043) but I only got one. Oh well, I'll handle it.