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A delayed happy birthday from me too, and I can only repeat what CopMike added.

You could make a part like it, but yes it would only allow two pins added at a time. And the geometry where the holes interfer will be quite odd. Don't expect a part like this ever to appear, because you can't use all holes at once, which makes it kind of useless. In fact you can't use any two holes at the same time, that are at 90 degrees to each other. Erland Part Design

Polycarbonate is also used for solid colored parts. All ball cups are made of it. I have played with 90617 in clear transparent, and it works more or less like the solid colored parts. At least I can't feel a difference. And yes, I've also told the HF designers to bring more transparent parts. I would like to see a blue-boned figure with yellow shells. Erland, Part Design

I've been at the first 3 events in Copenhagen as LEGO staff, but this year I'll pass the chance. I'm too busy designing bricks Actually a bit too busy. Would have loved to come this year too, it was so fun last year on saturday night, in company with other EB members.

You own 738 sets (533 different) according to Brickset. And I haven't updated my registrations in brickset throughly the last year or so.

I own 738 sets (533 different) according to Brickset And I haven't updated throughly in brickset the last year or so.

Great idea, and the last image is really cool.

ehh, the first born was Furno Jr. But he might get sisters later.

I emailed LDD guys today, and reported that indeed they've used on earlier prototype of shooter. We even had a test mould of this "non-existing" part, and had them laying around in a high number of different colours. Erland, Part Design

Ok, this is my coolest build ever. This has been through several refinements, and I've had it displayed at work, to let the designers know that they have competition This is Furno's vehicle, a robotic animal transport utility, used on planets where mobility and a helping hand, or should I say paw, is what a Hero need. It was developed deep inside the HERO FACTORY science center. A lot of heroes came with input to a future ground transport, creatures of all kind was consulted, the best scientist and engineers was put in a core team, and the result is Fuspeed, the prototype of future ground transportation vehicles. Even four and six legged robotic animals were asked what they thought, and they came with the essential input, that wheels were not needed. Here is Furno riding Fuspeed, in the traditional biker position that was found most efficient during early tests. Furno's bow is attached to his back while he rides this robotic equivalent to a four-legged animal hybrid of a horse, dog and a bear. The speed of Fuspeed is still overpowering the riding skills of Furno. This photo is taken a week after Furno had the final product, and he only hanged on by a thread in this accelerating move by Fuspeed. The handles and footpegs do have some driving inputs, but Fuspeed is a robot with a mind of its own. Furno showing off his best friend, or should I say Fuspeed showing off. Fuspeeds forelegs are linked in a steering assembly, that enables sharp turning and a very sturdy ride. The Hind legs have completely independent movements, and especially the rear frame of the vehicle is very flexible. The center of Fuspeed, with the high energy propulsion system, is made with traditional beams mixed with several Hero bones. A very sturdy design. Plating is sparse, the head can move for better direction predictability, and the front plating is equipped with a HERO core. Here a picture showing Fuspeed exhausted after a long ride, but also showing how flexible more or less everything except the center of the vehicle is. ..... For Hero Factory 1st half 2011, I engineered Furno's and Witch Doctor's helmets. Maybe I should make myself the challenge of building a vehicle for Witch Doctor Erland, Part Design

The 1.0 Hero helmet/masks are in my view iconic. In my perfect world a mask should never be reused, at least not in the same colour. Recolours can sometimes be awesome. By using an old helmet it make rooms for new designs of shell, bones, or decoration parts. Designers at LEGO HF select the designs of sets, based on their own beliefs, and group discussions among the designers, within the limits of the available number of new part designs and colour diversions. The rest of the project group are also encouraged to come with input to the early designs, leading up to management giving a go for final development of the sets. Designers at HF use "kid-test" to see how the target group, both light and heavy users, react to the sets and the story-concepts presented to them. Most of the fan inputs they get from me, but they don't listen to me. I often tell them to do mere complex builds, use rarer colours, or some other features that I pick up at e.g. Eurobricks. But what fans like is not always what sell. More likely it's the opposite way around. Kids in the target groups may more likely pick up a simple iconic two legged, two armed hero, than some weird hard to depict "structure", when they are in the store with their parents. Some sets that are praised to the skies by fans, resulting in multiple purchases by fans, may in the large scale sell quite poor. There is no equivalent to Modular buildings in LEGO action figure sets. As much as I would like it to happen, I just don't think it ever will. Erland, Part Design

Ok, something I've made, hope you enjoy. Click on images to see in large versions on flickr. No torso part. Torso built up with bones in a three dimensional structure, highly flexible. On the move, while shooting. Tying his shoe laces. Stepping in an ant nest, he's not an entomologist. Stripped down to the bones. Comments are welcome. Erland, Part Design.

Beams in this building system are in my terms something with Technic holes, ball cups, and balls. Maybe even a Technic connector as we have on the two special beam elements with 2 and 3 balls respectively. Even axle holes could be added. Not necessarily all these connector types all at once, more often only two of them, and in some cases only one. I don't think we've seen an element with only one type, but one part has to be the first. I do count torsos as beams, or more correctly in the beam system. Opposed to shells. The backbone in this new systems, beams (bones) and shells. On shells we can then add "finishing" or decoration elements using the two small shaft holes one module apart. Very few decoration elements has the ability to have any further part added to them. Simply to avoid "flimsy" and unstable builds. And no, new colours never make a new piece in my book. If all the company wanted to add in the future was new colours to existing parts, I would be bored at work. Erland, Part Design

How many new "bone" or beam pieces do you think 2012 will bring ? 2012 is a good year, the building system is still developing, and I'm really happy about it. Erland, Part Design

The new electricity piece is so lovely in colours, that some had "tears in the eyes" when we received prototypes in big boxes. It kind of look like the piece has four colours. Erland, Part Design

Approaching 4 years of following the EB Action Figure Forum, I believe I have never seen more prolonged discussions of blue colours being so wrong. Surprises is what you'll have, pleasant ones that is. Erland, Part Design

I like how you gave him a huge back, pushing the head even further forward.

What a cool animation, with such a thought through story to compliment. And quite funny, you had me laughing more than once I'll share a link to it back at work tomorrow, on our LEGO intranet.

Impressive size, I would imagine it weights quite much. I really like how the figure is placed tightly in the cockpit. Very cool transform and function on that "vehicle thing".

It's a nice set, but compared to other villains from the last few years (Bionicle and HF), I can only give him an average score. I've built the set. From the first time I saw the mask as rapid prototypes and being worked on in 3D Cad (a long time ago), I found the mask to be to my dislike. Maybe it will grow on me with time. I do like the overall proportions of the set though.

Great review. I think this is the pinnacle of the build style that we have seen now in Firelord, Rocka XL and Black Phantom. Style wise I find that each set has exceeded the previous one. With the new high friction elements as shoulders, the poses the arms can be put in are greatly enhanced. Allow me to add this picture to the review:

Unfortunately this review does not show how to pose the figure standing on the two claws, while the stinger is not touching the ground.

I must say that the new video on the official HF website is really cool. Interesting builds shown

Anf if you check one of the reviews, you'll see that you can carefully cut the backside of the pouch, leaving the front undisturbed.

Black Phantom, kneeling Shouting at the small heroes I hope you don't find the poses I put him in too stupid CLick on the pictures to view them larger on flickr.