Mr. Lego-builder

I never had such a problem with LDD, and versions 2.x should be able to work on a Mac OS system. I have a copy of the older version here: Lego Digital Designer 2.2.6 First you must completely uninstall the newer version of LDD on your computer for this to work. NOTE: After it is installed on your computer, LDD will automatically check to see if it is the newest version. Obviously it is not, so the software will ask you to download a "patch"/update. Click No or Cancel on this prompt.

Try these links for Dino Attack reviews: 7476 Iron Predator vs. T-Rex 7475, 7477 Steel Sprinter and Urban Avenger Also, take a look at Brickset.com for reviews on all types of sets. Hope this helps.

I'm glad to see how lively this thread has gotten all of a sudden. As for my thoughts, this new set seems to be interesting. Surely I can tell that it was inspired by real world items. (The set itself seems realistic to me). There is a high chance that I will purchase this set too, but I still need to see if the price is reasonable, perhaps in the $30 - $40 range. I don't know if this set means there will be more coast/off-coast theme sets for us in the future. --- If anyone was wondering, the picture itself in the magazine is only about 1 inch (2.54 cm) long by 1 inch (2.54 cm) wide, so this was the best shot that I could get. This tiny little section was the only place it even mentioned this set, so this picture may even be an error... If it is a little too blurry, try this one: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=2820183 The above link also gives an idea of how small the picture is...

Also, if anyone who is interested, and wants to see the Spongebob Teaser Picture, follow this link: 2008 Spongebob Teaser Picture If anyone wants to make requests about pictures of other sets in the magazine, please feel free to either send me a PM or post here, but PLEASE DO NOT spam or flood this thread, or this forum for that matter. Thank you.

Here is the link to the picture: 7738 -- CITY Coast Guard Helicopter and Life Raft Warning: The picture is quite big right now (about 3 MB in size.) This is because I had to take the higheset resolution pictures possible since the picture in the catalog was so small. Feel free to discuss.

I have just received the new catalog this afternoon. Here is some more information on this set according to the box and catalog: Set Number: 7738 Pieces: 445 Pieces Age Range: 5-12 Minifigures: 3 Minifigures Availability: December or Holiday Season (as there is a claim: "Look for these sets at a store near you!") It is under the CITY lineup of products, and by the looks of it, this set may be another Toys R Us exclusive, as there is some sort of text similar to the ones on boxes which are exclusive sets. I will get a picture up as soon as possible! Unfortunately, my camera's battery is too low to take any pictures. I am charging it right now and should be done in an hour or two...look back then. Hang in there!

This is just a suggestion, but perhaps you should look for inspiration from pictures of real cinemas. Try to find ones with more of a classic feel to it. Here are some to get you started. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/ewm/17/lg/08.jpg http://www.tomharris.org.uk/2006/newsimages/1543_01.jpg http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/cavalcade/notthill.jpg http://www.mawgrim.sathosting.net/cavalcade/southall3.jpg Also try typing in "cinema exterior" in image search engines and see what you come up with. Visit cinematreasures.org for a list of all kinds of cinemas. You could probably find some inspiration there. If you've noticed, most cinemas are at least 2 or 3 stories high. Do you plan on making your's only one level?

This is bad news indeed. :-( I would visit Brickshelf almost daily. I (along with many people on this vey forum) had an account. I guess those who were lucky enough to have copies of their pictures on their hard drive can perhaps transfer them over to maj.com, or another picture hosting site. Then we would not have so many red X's all over the place where our beloved pictures once were. I hope this is only temporary (but by the looks of it, it is most likely permanent). It just won't be the same without Brickshelf. :-( ---- Just as a side note, this was already hinted quite a while back in this thread (which was incidently created by me) Deja vu anyone? :-/

I am pretty sure the windows that are on the building are actually doors which are not produced by TLG anymore. See these pictures: (bottom "windows") and (top "windows")

I would definately love to see skyscrapers. But I think the reason why LEGO would not make them is that: 1) The low appeal and as it can be seen from some of the replies in this thread that many people think of it as just a block of transparent LEGO pieces. Unless there is alot of action/playability involved, the target audience (children) would not want to buy them. 2) The High Price. If you examine all of the CITY or town models in the past years, none of them can be considered quite as skyscapers, and the prices weren't sky-high either. If LEGO would make these skyscapers, it would have a high piece count and this will drive up the price by quite a bit. And do not forget about the box, it a small set already have oversized boxes, imagine what a skycraper set would have as a box in terms of size... And lastly, I think the pictures that are provided do not make a good comparison. The are many other better (both in design and functionality) skyscapers built by AFOL's than the one shown, as well as differences in the other two models as well, if you try to find models of the same structure. Just my 2 cents.

I think it is more streamlined actually. For example, all of the Themes are listed under one place, not like the previous version where it was seperated into subcatagories. My one problem with this is that the new version tends to look out of place compared to the rest of LEGO.com, but I have a feeling that this might get updated in a short time as well...We'll see... P.S. Has anybody noticed these under CITY Town Essentials? I have never noticed them there before...

Even though I am more of a City person, this technique fails to amaze me every time. The curve on that model is very impressive. Here's what I think: If you see view it carefully, you can see that the arch is more of an opticle illusion, being so well integrated into the curved wall. Also, the pieces connecting it to the rest of the wall is a 1X3 brick. I wonder if that makes a difference? 8-| Second, he might have used an underlying techique by securing each end by elastic, or some sort od object that creates resistance and therefore, causing it to bend at such a degree. Or on each brick he added, he would bend it a little. In the end this might have caused it to bend more than instead of building it first then bending it after the whole wall was done... Personally, I have tried the same technique, but with 1x2 plates (not bricks) and I got it to curve almost to the extent shown in this wall, but not quit, when I was going for more of a rounded look to add to one of my City's buildings.

Very nicely said, Commander Wolf. I consider LEGO, as not simply a play thing, but a part of my life. I build, and afterwards I play, but even after I finish building, the set, or whatever it may be, the building is not done, as I am also building my imagination as I am playing. People who are not commited to LEGO as some of us are, consider the term "playing with LEGO," because they have a vague grasp on what is going on within the person who is doing the building. Alot more is happening than just clicking pieces of plastic blocks together. A new path has opened to venture deeper into your imagination. Each brick you put together, you take one step higher until you reach your goal. an that is why it feels very rewarding when you finish a LEGO project. You get a sense of accomplishment.

First of All: The sets look very well done, but I personally think I will not be getting the hovercraft until the blue baseplate is re-released. So far we have a police boat and a fire hovercraft along with a fire rescue boat (that came with the Fire Truck from last year) and they are all useless because they are standed on green grass. *sad* Having said that, I think TLG should, like as Hobbes said make a 32x32 dark bley baseplate to transfer the buildings onto the flat baseplate (instead of the raised one). At least if you are going to strand your boat have a variety of land forms for it to become stranded on. I am personally making the light bley raised baseplates into mountains for a background (if I can find enough pieces!) Second of All: Although the fire station looks nice, I'll probably not be getting it as well until I know the price. If it is higher than $40, I won't be buying it because I already have a modified version of the older station released last year. Also, this station still does not have a helicopter landing pad. Where is the helicopter I already have going to go? This is partly the reason why I modified the older station in the first place: to add a helicopter landing pad and to expand the garage to fit the Fire Truck also released last year. One thing that I do like, however, is the smaller truck that come with it. I can easily envision it being made into a minivan. Third of All: The fire pickup is the best set of of all three so far, in my humble opinion, for both its simplicity and design Plus, you get one of the new windsheild pieces in this set, which I think looks good, but then again, will make it look noticeably different compared to my other city vehicles. Last, but not Least: I am going to hold off in getting any of the sets, except for the pickup, until I see the rest of the city sets. I am especially looking forward to seeing pictures of thenew garbage truck, since the last time LEGO makde a garbage truck, it was quite a ways back.

Wow, there are already a couple of topics of new sets to come in 2007! I can't wait! As for these new creator sets, I think they are pretty good. I can use some of them to decorate my desk. At first, I set my eyes on the new car set, but the more I look at it, the more my liking of it goes down. The look seems very stilted...similar to a fusion of a Porche and a Lamborgini. I personally think it isn't a good mix, but you'll never know. It might actually look better in person than in the photos. (Partly because sometimes the photos are taken at very arkward angles.) Then here comes the house set. Its is extremely similar to Building Bonanza both in scale and design. The newer set, however, with the addition of a garage, seems much more pleasing to the eye. One thing I am wondering, though, is there a door to the garage? I can't seem to make one out, or is there a black door? Even if there is, however, I am also certain that it will not feature the sliding version, as this piece is a specialty part. If it is a sliding door, it will be a pleasant surprise! The fighter jet looks alright, but there just seems to be something missing. It looks so plain. The front/cockpit area looks too long and wide compared to the plane's fuselage. Also, the colors make it look like a jet used in air-shows instead of a F-14. (Which I know goes againt TLG's rule about no war-related sets.) The rest of the sets do seem like X-pods without the plastic holders, are not appealing to me. The sets are good in parts (there are many uncommon parts) selection, but they compromise on the design. For example, I would have never seen the resemblance of the monkey set. Another thing I was wondering, how is the monkey's head attached to the body? Most likely it will use a combination of pieces instead of a new hinge, but will this allow the head to move freely, or is it made to remain in this position and cannot be moved. That was just my first thoughts on these sets. Most likely, they will change as we get more pictures/information, all-in-all, 2007 is going to be another good, and profitable year for LEGO. P.S. I haven't posted for quite a long time and it feels good to have some time on my hands off from high school to finally post something! And thanks for reading my somewhat long post. *sweet*

Just a note: Thanks for the PM. Check your Inbox for my reply if you are still interested. Thanks again, MLB

I MIGHT be able to help. PM me with a list of what you have for spare CITY (not town) parts. See my previous trade thread for more of what I might want to trade. I can't seem to find it just now, sorry. :$ But if you dig around the Buy, Sell, Trade and Finds forum, you'll find it. EDIT: Hmmm...it seems that the thread is removed...Anyways, PM me and I'll give you my list. Thanks. :smile:

It's too smooshed together for my liking... :/ But I wonder what you would call this sort of plane? It's a bit too small to be any use other than just a place for the pilot. And I hope the weight on the back doesn't tip the plane over like in 1371... |-/

Yes and no. If the cars are more on the heavy side then there would of course not be able to pull more than a couple at a time. The avervage train with one motor can pull up to 30 or so cars. But that is with a new motor and new magnets going at a slow and steady pace. If there are sharp turns or sudden jerks of speed, then no doubt will the cars un-couple, let alone damage the motor since the sudden burst will burn out the compoents inside. (Happened to me once. All of a sudden the train wold go in jerky motions and I had to buy another motor).

I'm pretty sure it extends beyond that length. As with set 4552, the black (extenable) part of the boom is inside the yellow outer piece, making it possible to be extended further.

1. Great review! ;) 2. Too little for too much. As you said, the features are a nice touch, but it is still too little for too much. I still might get it though, since I sadly don't have a CITY Airport yet. But even if I do get this, I'll have to fill in some gaps. I don't know about any of how you feel, but I personally think the new vehicles (planes, trucks, cars, etc.) are not to scale to the buildings. But I guess that won't be fixed any time soon. If we increase the size of the buildings, the prices will be too much. Another note: Looking at your Brickshelf Gallery, the back landing gear "axle" seems to be bending under the stress of the weight of the plane. Is this normal or not true?

From this view, the front of the locomotive is at a different angle. You also get a better view of the passenger train. Also, in the middle of the base, there seems to be a chunk of brick...perhaps the remote compartment? P.S. You can also see the all-plastic tracks...

So will it be System as said or change of plans?

Do you get info on the color tones of the figures yet? Or is that still "classified"? ;)

And your wish is granted! (From Brickshelf) Locomotive Wagon 1 Wagon 2 and 3 Enjoy!