Mr. Lego-builder

I'm glad it helps! When buying bulbs, try to find ones that are energy efficient (i.e. compact fluorescent bulbs). They work just as well and uses much less energy. Also, they run with much less heat. A 100 Watt regular full-spectrum bulb runs extremely hot. If you do decide to go with these, be careful! They get hot and stay hot for quite a while after they are turned off.

That's a good start. Make sure there are no wrinkles in the sheet and it is propped up properly so the edges are not falling over and casting shadows. It's not the quantity of light, but rather the quality of the light that matters. Your run-of-the-mill house lamps most likely have yellowish light being emitted. What you need are full-spectrum light bulbs. The reason why pictures of LEGO taken outside look better without much fuss is that the sun (yes, that bright light in the sky) has this full spectrum of light. This will remove the yellowish hue. It's pretty much a rule of thumb to never if rarely use the camera's built in flash for photographing LEGO. Like you said, the colors will be all washed out due to the reflective nature of the plastic bricks. Don't do that! The cameras you have are great. They are more than capable of taking good pictures. I dare to say that after following these recommendations, the pictures will turn out fine on their automatic/default settings. Follow these suggestions. The most important thing is the lighting. Make sure the light is natural light (the sun) or from full-spectrum light bulbs. These bulbs should be bright (100 Watts preferred; 75 Watts at least). Even so, the key is to make sure the light is not direct. The light needs to be diffused first. This can easily be done using your materials: 1. Construct a box like (i.e. rectangular) support for your sheet. 2. Attach the sheets to the supports on the left and right sides. 3. Gently drape the sheet on the rear of the support so it does not form a 90 degree angle with the support, but rather a gentle slope 4. Attach tissue paper (e.g. the type used for gift-wrapping) to the top 5. You should now be finished with the light tent. There should be one opening in the front to place your MOC. Essentially, you have constructed a box where the light is properly contained and directed at your MOC. 6. Direct the full-spectrum light bulb/s over the tissue paper on top. This will diffuse the light (as we talked about before). 7. Mount your camera onto a tripod (important!) and point it at your MOC 8. Shoot away! (without flash of course...) Hope this helps! Diagrams can be provided if you need them.

Hi. Welcome to Eurobricks! Feel free to introduce yourself here. Firstly, I must say that the baseplates are excellent and I'm sure they would be useful for LDD users who want to recreate existing sets or make their own new creations. But be aware that in an effort to reduce clutter, there is an existing topic for LDD piece alternatives here. Posting your creations there will allow more exposure to your efforts. As another recommendation, SkyDrive from Microsoft is a free file hosting alternative. Unlike RapidShare, there are no download limits. Give it a try!

I have found only two practical solutions (and the second one is cheating a bit...) They are: One: Two:

I'll be willing to take this one up... But the download link seems to be broken?

Even as an avid CITY line fan, I haven't gotten into the Farm sets much. I guess they don't appeal to me as much as some of the other options. But I might just pick this up the next time I head over to the LEGO store. (It is an Impulse set after all). As a side note, has any one noticed the differences in facial expressions (i.e. the "cheesy smile) with the pictures on the box?

What an interesting building question! After having thought it over for some time, I've decided to give my two cents. Again, like the previously proposed solutions, my idea also heavily relies on the use of Technic pieces. I've included a LDD file of a mockup that I've built by using your pictures as a reference. The file can be found here. Within it are screenshot explanations of the ratchet system. The main turnstile is built using the previously suggested combination proposed by dluders. The other parts used are self explanatory, but it's best to read the information on the anti-reverse system: I though about the use of gears for the anti-ratchet system, but as I am a System suited builder, I came up with another solution that you can check out in the LDD file. My solution works like this. The Technic Axle Connector with Technic Axle is attached to a 1x2 Brick with Pin, which allows it to swing freely in one direction, and return to its natural position with every pass of the bar. However, it cannot spin in the other direction since it is being stopped by a 1x2 Tile placed 90 degrees on 1x2 Brick with Studs on Side when the bars of the turnstile hit it in reverse. The turnstile is contained within a 16x16 area, which makes it easy to place and repeat. As a final word of warning: I have not tried to build this in real life. Although LDD is pretty good with simulating real LEGO connections, its best to test it out first. P.S. The red bricks included are for a new turnstile design that I played around with but ultimately didn't work out too well. Maybe it can be used as inspiration for future projects, perhaps?

Calabar, those are great ideas! I need to try those some time in my real LEGO creations. Talk about laziness: I didn't even finish the rest of my model... And I didn't take the time to ensure proper colorization, although it is fixed now. (Same download link as above.)

Here's my take at the challenge. Only the front of the truck is built, since this part contains the focus of the challenge. I'm interested in seeing other possible solutions to the problem. Reversing bricks 180 degrees in a tight space is always tricky. EDIT: The download can be found here.

Well. We voted and we got... this? At first look, it certainly catches the eye. While most of the recent CITY sets are resurrections/revamps of older models, I don't believe we've seen a tram or a heavy duty sweeper truck before. That being said, after taking closer looks at the set, I don't think it was quite on par with what many fans had in mind when they voted last year (correct me if I'm wrong on the dates). From what I can see, the concept was ingenious, but the execution could have been a bit better. I can see that the designers may have been given an unsuitable price point. I see it on two extremes. Either, one: the allowable price point was too low, and many sacrifices were made, or two, the price point was set too high, sending the designers scrambling for a way to fill in the gaps. From looking at the first picture of the 8404 set, I can see possible evidence of both scenarios, which I will cover in the ever-so-effective pro/con take on the set. Many of these have been mentioned before, so I'll just reiterate: Pros: - New green bicycle with clever bicycle rack - The mailboxes and recycling bins are a nice touch and ties other sets of the CITY theme together - Lime green bus, blue tram, yellow car, and orange sweeper are nice color choices (Finally, some color variation!) - Six minifigures (Yes, I think this is a good thing because having too many minifigures that preform the same functions, e.g. ride the tram will dissuade the purchase of sets like the upcoming 8403 Family House.) Cons: - Inconsistencies in design: The tram shelter looks different from the bus shelter. The designers should stick with one design (like the use of glass roof for both shelters) or combine them into one platform sort of like this. - Having an extra structure like the shop makes the set too cluttered and unfocused. In my opinion, having the presence of a shop, that is again, inconsistent with design, adds little play value (there are no slopes for the bicycle as with the other two structures). - The shop lacks so much detail and seems too open, although I do believe that the designers may have been going for something close to a newspaper kiosk or information booth like this. - The lack of subtle details is to be expected (I'm spoiled by the amazing design of the modular sets.) Overall, it's a refreshing change and some great aspects to the set. Currently, I am uncertain about purchasing this set. I might buy it and keep the vehicles intact, but use the "shop" and bus shelter to expand the included tram shelter which I think has a very sleek, modern design.

The web browser has nothing to do with LDD updating. Since your connection is so slow, LDD must be giving out timeout errors. If need be, try to uninstall your current version and download the new version on the official website. It has already been updated to version 3.1.

The search feature should be somewhat easy to implement. However, there needs to be a standardized naming system. At times, LDD brick names differ quite dramatically from those listed on Peeron or Bricklink especially when concerning specialty pieces. As for searching according to Design or Element ID, this actually may be the most viable option, since the online PAB store is searchable by these ID numbers. This preexisting technology can be somehow integrated into LDD in future versions.

Well said. My thoughts exactly. I am very happy (and satisfied) that this is available to LDD users. I am not only satisfied on a personal level, but also glad for TLG since this will increase the productivity of LDD for virtual designing and I am glad for the fans, as many of whom have been wanting something like this for a while. The reason I said it may take a while for any new pieces to be added, if ever, is due to the fact that updates seem to be on an annual schedule at its best. By the next expected update, LEGO Universe would be released to the public and focus would most likely be geared toward that end of the spectrum. I hope it is not the case, but since LU is just around the corner and there is no support provided, it gives me an uneasiness about the future of Universe mode in LDD. Just my two cents. I know that others have different thoughts, which is great! This is a forum after all!

Hmm...I wonder why these specific pieces were removed? Most of them seem to originate from the Collectible Minifigure series. It would be interesting to play around with them (albeit virtually) before they are officially released this summer. Still, I relish the idea that these were still available at one point. (Too bad I discovered the hidden bricks thread too late.) Unfortunately, it's a likely possibility that these pieces will not be available in LDD for quite some time, if ever. Also, Bojan, since the Universe mode is now available, is your new mod still in development? If it were not for the possible disagreement with TLG, I would still be very interested in obtaining the few extra new bricks you mentioned, even if it does require constant updating. A bigger inventory is always a better inventory!

Hi. Firstly, I must say I very much enjoy your videos. However (and I hate to be the one regulating this), to quote Super Kalle: I think he might appreciate it if you posted an edited video with a link instead? The link he is referring to is: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=40794

Make sure you have Lego Digital Designer 3.1 or higher. Download it here. The modification will not work on older versions.

In order to use the bricks, you must have LDD downloaded and installed.

The decoration tool works only on certain elements that have decoration options. For those that do not, the tool does nothing. For those that do: Select an element (like a road plate, for example), and place it onto the grid. Select the Decorations tool and click on the element you want to "decorate." There should then be a tool-tip showing your options. Click one and voila! By the way, trying the decoration tool with road plates may garner interesting results...

That's strange. The original .ini file should contain more than one line... If at all possible, try reinstalling LLD and run it for the first time without the edit. Then edit the file using Notepad and try again.

Good question. I was wondering the same thing. I would definitely think this would be possible. Try removing the edits and re-saving the file. That should get the old not Universe-enabled palette back. If you are in an already opened model, going to View > New themes would allow you to switch palettes to the regular Design By Me palette.

Darn that pesky Windows Vista! That's why I switched to Windows 7. Much better! Here's a work-around, my friend: EDIT: Try the suggestions in this post: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?...mp;#entry720082 Feel free to ask any more tech support questions...

That's not quite necessary. I have hidden folders enabled on my Windows 7 system, yet the folder can easily and quickly be accessed by this great shortcut: Open Run and just type in %APPDATA% Simple! Try the advice I pointed out above and find the folder. In it should be the file. I'll be happy to help with any other tech problems... As a response, I would have to say I completely agree with you about the colorization. Perhaps a white or gray tone would be better. However, on the other hand, I am OK with it, since it gives your building session a "WIP/preliminary design" feel with the red "prototype" bricks. (Or maybe it's just me...) Here's a suggestion: Perhaps try building the model first and then go back and try to recolor everything? This way, you save time and you do not need to color elements that you would not see in the model anyways.

Terrific work, guys! I always had faith in LEGO and their great communication with their customers and fans. LEGO has already demonstrated this many times in the past, but it's great to see that such a large company still has their customers in mind and listens to them on a personal level. There are very few companies that do that nowadays. Finally, LEGO Digital Designer has become a useful and practical tool for designing virtual LEGO models. What a great achievement. On a side note, does anybody think this Universe Theme build mode will be available on the next LDD release or update? Perhaps it will become standard in LDD 4.0 along with some other features we've been suggesting. Here's hoping for a bright future for LDD!

What a great find! Absolutely hilarious! Maybe we should start making a list of banned LEGO words, eh?

Congrats on finding that special someone! As for the book, the only source that I can recall is a section in the Unofficial LEGO Builder's Guide. In the book there is a section (Chapter 7) dedicated to building spheres. I've had the book for some time now and it's great! Unfortunately, there are no official balloon instructions, but it can easily be modified to accommodate the shape. As for the basket, I do believe you are correct. It seems to be made of 2x2 round plates.