Canticleer blues

Like others have said, as a kid I too was likely to make multi-colored creations. Most of the time it wasn't out of choice. If I had the pieces, I would make coordinated-looking models, but being a kid with limited sets and pieces, I was perfectly okay with mixing colors. What mattered most to me was building what I envisioned, and if that meant having to use a larger range of colors, then I was prepared to do just that. As I got older, I made more of an effort to build in one color. That often meant that if I didn't have enough pieces in, say, grey, I'd have to remake the model in blue or black, or whatever I had more of. This wasn't always an ideal solution though; sometimes I found myself frustrated with the result if lack of pieces in certain colors negatively impacted the build of my creation. Now, as an adult who has access to Bricklink, I could theoretically order any parts in any color to make the creations I imagine. But that's not something I find myself doing all the time. Nowadays I usually make prototypes of builds to test the structure of the build and experiment with techniques. If everything checks out, I'll go back and fix the colors and/or order some pieces from Bricklink if I have to. It's really more due to economic reasons more than anything else- if I ordered parts in the colors I needed for a prototype model that doesn't work out, then it feels like I've wasting my resources. For someone like me who's trying to save money, it's wiser to build with what I have on hand than just place needless amounts of orders. Sure the concept models end up being quite colorful, but the finished models always look nicer because of it- and in the end that's what really matters in MOCmaking.

This isn't quite classic space, but seeing as interviews from any designers of that era are so scarce, you might want to take a look at this. It's an article from Boingboing featuring Bjarne P. Tveskov, who worked on Futuron, Blacktron, Space Police I and Blacktron II sets. Mr. Tveskov also shares a few details on his experience working for Lego. Overall it's pretty interesting stuff, so feel free to check it out.

6985 Cosmic Fleet Voyager- Theme: Space (Duplicate) LXF File Errors: Missing all prints save for those used on the minifigure's faces. 6891 Gamma V Laser Craft- Theme: Space (Duplicate) LXF File Errors: 4475 not present in LDD, replaced with 6104. Missing all prints save for those used on the minifigure's faces. Both of these models were originally posted in this topic by Zinfinion; I updated each to LDD 4.3.6.

Set #6334 upgraded to LDD 4.3.6.

Excellent! I'm so glad parts 6076, 4741, and 4737 are finally in LDD! Especially that last one; I've been waiting for its return ever since it was taken out. Time to update some Classic Space and Town sets!

Congratulations to Ragaru! As this concept has many less 'new molds' than the last I feel it has a better chance of passing review this time around. :) @pinioncorp: Nintendo is against a partnership with Lego? Are you talking about the same Nintendo that's currently working with Lego and TT Games to have Lego City Undercover be released exclusively to their consoles? The same company that's working -in- to promote this game via both parties, up to and including physical promotional merchandise? For two companies who "aren't cooperating", they seem to be suspiciously friendly.

Hopefully we won't have to worry for too long; KDog seems resolute in continuing this comic at some point. Until then all we can do is wish the author well, eh?

@Superkalle: Here's the .lxf as requested, but I really think the problem would be in the program itself and not the file; I seem to recall reading here that the Mac version of LDD has quite a few problems such as disabling some of the graphical preference options and slowdown when loading even small files. Perhaps this error is related to that, since it's not the file itself that's affected (i.e. it doesn't say that the file is corrupted) but just how it's displayed once it finishes loading. And if that theory is true, might the LDD team know something about why this happens on Macs?

Hey guys; recently while using LDD 4.3.5 (835.4) on my Mac, I was trying to open up an older file of mine, one I hadn't opened for a few weeks. The file is supposed to contain a group of minifigures, but I was instead greeted by this: (Here's a few more images to show the rest.) I then switched to the 'building guide' mode, which loaded the models but not their textures: (Another shot.) A subsequent program quit and reload seems to have fixed this file, but the problem is this isn't the first time the models have loaded incorrectly. Does anyone know why this happens?

@PeabodySam: Hello there! As a helpful tip, I'd like to advise you to add the word 'duplicate' to your entry for 6334 as stated in the rules for the topic (as the set has already been covered). Otherwise, it's great to see another Lego Island fan contributing to the set database.

This ship is pure Classic Space style, and yet the use of some pieces and design choices give it a subtly modern feeling. For instance, I'd like to cite that cockpit interior as one of the best I've seen using only CS-style pieces (as opposed to the more greebled feel that you often get from say a Neo-Classic Space MOC), and the windscreen shaping feels 'natural' construction-wise while looking very appealing. And of course the interior space of the craft is impressive given the size of the model overall; I've never been able to achieve this level of floor space inside a space craft, much to my regret. The fact that you managed to find a way to attach a buggy to it is a neat bonus! This model is amazing in ways I can't praise enough.

Excellent MOC car_mp! The mainly flat shape of the body combined with the bubble cockpit and prominent gun on the front is very much the kind of design you'd see in 80's arcade games like Galaga or Bosconian. As a fan of those kinds of games I find those aspects make the model very appealing in a retro way.

@Faefrost: Interesting predictions. Personally my views are very similar to yours, with one exception: I feel that the Curiosity Rover is actually less likely to pass than the Portal Project. Why? Well, the Curiosity Rover landing was only in the news for a very brief period of time; even now public awareness of the event is already fading. It's very likely that by the time the model is produced and sent to shelves- which according to the BttF schedule will be after 2013- the public will have no interest in the model. Curiosity's one saving grace may be that NASA/space fans will still want it, but even then Lego may opt to produce a different model that has more of a guarantee to get its money back first. As for the chances of the Portal Project? It would probably be more accurate to compare Portal to Minecraft instead of Legends of Zelda. Like Minecraft, Portal is a game that has major support and is recognized by large portions of the internet (which is something that has been taken advantage of for profit by companies like Thinkgeek). Not only that, but the Portal games actually manage to stay in the minds of its target audience through both its memes and the series' reputation for quality. As for the molds, Team Jigsaw actually made the project with the use of limited molds in mind; if you look through the project pictures, you'll see the project only uses 2-3 all-new molds at most. And it's not like Lego is totally afraid of new molds; the pictures for the Delorean feature several new molds for the main character's hair pieces. Coupling all this with the fact that Valve (Portal's parent company) is already supporting the project, it's safe to say that the Portal project has at least a good chance of being produced. Otherwise, similar thoughts on Space Troopers and Purdue Pete. Space Trooper's biggest hurdle might be Lego's own Galaxy Sqaud theme. Ironically, Cuusoo's long waiting times for reviews might actually help it overcome this; if the review period/acceptance happens later in the year, while Galaxy Squad is on its way out (and this is assuming Galaxy Squad is a one-wave wonder like its predecessor, Alien Conquest), the chances for ST passing the review would likely increase. The Purdue Pete model is likely to not pass if Lego's distribution for Cuusoo is regional/global only. The only way Purdue could pass and be economical for Lego to produce (i.e. for it to have a solid business case) is if Lego could (would?) find a way to distribute the model only at Purdue University, as it has virtually no appeal at any location beyond that.

Prompted by the discussion of this over on Brickset, I went over to my local Lego store yesterday and asked the manager there about it. He said he'd heard rumors that someone in one of the stores found a hazardous material in one of their bags, which was then reported to the company and led to the precautionary shutdown of the grab bags. Apparently not even the managers are happy about this, as the grab bags brought in a lot of money for the stores. As to what they're going to do with the leftover pieces now, there's no instructions from the company yet so it depends on the store; my store will be putting them in the play area. It's a curious situation, isn't it? Personally I'm just waiting to see what TLG's next steps are.

It does indeed have the word 'LEGO' written on every stud in the proper orientation, so that seems to check out. Yeah, to be honest that's most of the reason why I bought the piece- I was hoping the red would be in the pattern like in 6500. Despite that it's still very unique- it's not often you get genuine pattern test part, eh?

Hmm, are the two new colors added with 4.3.5 (330 Olive Green and 329 Glow White) available naturally in any of the 'themes', or do you have to do something else to get them?

Hey guys, I've recently acquired the following piece- a 3x4 33 degree slope piece with purple shingles pattern (3297)...in red. (Click on the image above to see it larger) Here's a 3/4 view. And the bottom. That number on the bottom reads '3 23 3297'. Unusual, eh? My best guess is that it's a 'prototype' part used to test the shingles print, but I figured it'd be good to let some of you take a look at it and see what you can determine. For all I know it might not even be genuine.

Alright, this might be the problem. Read here: Note the italicized words. Basically, to find out which year this was supposed to come out in you'd need to find retailer's catalogs from 1995 and 1996 and compare those, not the ones available to the public.

Hello Lego Historian, I'd like to add more insight into the background info of set 6500 Holiday Village if that's okay. From what I can tell, the set must be entirely linked to the original Lego Island video game. Why? Well, early development for that game started in 1995, with the basics of that game being planned out between the Lego Group and Mindscape (the developers of LI). In 1996, a physical version of the game's map was constructed. (You'll notice, by the way, several pieces that this island mockup and 6500 share in common- those red bar fence pieces on the hospital, and the red-tiled roof slopes on the pizzaria.) Your date of the set being seen in a catalogue seems to be a bit inaccurate- Brickset lists it as 1996, which would fit better with the game's featuring of other sets from 1996- namely 6518 Baja Buggy, 6334 Wave Jump Racers, 6337 Fast Track Finish and 6598 Metro PD Station. The game was originally supposed to be released in 1996 and it's very likely this was meant to be a kind of loose 'tie-in' set, considering several of the displayed logos/brands (i.e. the pizza logo or the Super 2 sign) originated from the PC game. However, the game got delayed (as often happens in that industry) and came out in October 1997. If my theory is true, then it's very likely that the reason the set got cancelled was because the game it was supposed to feature with never came out. Hope this helps!

@Lordofdragonss: Unprofessional? Hardly. First of all, that image is most likely a picture of the set's prototype. When it was taken the two pieces to be replaced didn't yet exist, so what else could they do than use similar substitutes? Secondly, it's hardly 'advertising'- these images were procured from the website before they were put up, therefore not being used in any kind of attention-getting manner. It's not even deceiving either, as we AFOLs had pictures of the final set contents before the images, and the image on the box matches what's shown in the clear plastic on the packaging itself. Still, considering the above we're still getting all the new pieces we thought we were getting, one odd picture aside. That's something to be happy about eh?

Impressive work! The Lime Deck's machine is just filled with pieces used interestingly, be it the Death Star dome, the string as wires, or the combination of gears and dished used for the barrel. Also the use of the 1x1 round plates to break up the floor and add detail to the walls was a clever move. The transparent elements on the Azure Deck's command section work well with the azure coloring of the rest of the floor, and the medical lab's round shape really helps it to stand out (poor Classic Space dude :P ). The guide rails on the Pink Deck are pretty cool, as is that crane system for maneuvering those oddly-colored fighters onto the hangar floor. Eagerly awaiting that Rainbow Deck; it's bound to be just as amazing as the other floors!

Wow, this is impressive! Such a sleek-looking craft. The parts useage and resulting shape are excellent, especially those engines and cannons, and the cockpit's connection to the wing area is also quite clever. Well done! Actually, looking at the body of the craft I'm a bit curious as to whether or not the x-1 has any interior space. It certainly seems big enough to hold a container or two.

This is a great M:Tron base, whitswj! The use of early 90's-era parts and simple but multilayered shapes really allows it to fit in with the classic sets. I really like that outer platform- its 'mesh' style fits the industrial feel of the base very well, what with the similar support pieces in the construction of the base itself and the well-utilized space of the storage area.

6971 Intergalactic Command Base- Theme: Space (Classic) LXF File Errors: Missing most prints, with two replaced; part 5102 in 1.6 cm length not in LDD; part 3149 not in LDD, replaced with a 98285/2780/98286 combo; parts 3761 and 3762 not in LDD, replaced with a trans-yellow 59349; part 3947 not in LDD, replaced with 3811. 6463 Lunar Rover- Theme: Space Port LXF File Errors: Missing all minifigure prints and front sticker; color 'Metallized Gold' may not be the same as the 'chrome gold' color the large dome and astronaut visor pieces actually come in.

@Calabar: Alright, everything in my last post should be fixed to adhere to the guidelines now. If you have any more problems with it, feel free to point them out and I'll do my best to fix 'em.