xenologer

I wonder how much it costs for them to actually sort bricks for these custom sets though. I would guess that sorting and packing for official mass produced sets is relatively cheap. My theory is that they actually have a dedicated factory floor for each production set(or each bag), with the molding machines needed for just that set all in one place. So the bricks just need to be checked for count and dropped right into bags, without long term storage and inventory moving around. Counting may not even be all that necesarry, since if you're producing them on the spot, and know how many each mould makes... it might just be a matter of ejecting the mould into a grid of chutes positioned so that each one catches the right number of bricks for a set... Thats how I'd probably do it anyhow, for custom LDD sets though a continous production line probably wouldnt work, theyd have to have inventories and then go through them to get the right number for each different set. Seems like it'd be really slow and probably require an actual person doing the sorting. all just a guess, anyone know more about how it works?

Bleh Sounds like they coulda put more effort into the cockpit. If I was in your shoes, I'd totally call up Lego Replacement Parts and insist that the legs are missing. Be sure to point out the back of the box showing him with legs. If enough people complain they just might decide to Fix it on later lots of that set...

Yeah, parts availability aside (the future should fix this) the software itself has a few annoying issues. For one, it is often very hard to get a brick to align right when connecting it to something else in a complex model. I think a good solution for this, might be to before placing the brick, let me hilight on a current brick already on the model to give it a 'hint' about where I am trying to place the new one. So it focuses the snap connection there instead of totally random places, like the backside of the model.... Even better, how about the ability to use the arrow keys or numberpad to shift a brick 1 stud or 1 plate left/right/up/down, for precision placement? This would serioulsy help when trying to slide a technic axle into position.... Last thing that bothered me (but you cant really blame them) is that LDD can be sometimes Ignorant of SNOT techniques I tried doing an obscure SNOT connection, that I know works in real life, but the virtual bricks wouldn't align properly. The basic SNOT stuff works, like brackets and headlight bricks... but it would be nice to rotate the model so that the side you're working on is facing the same direction as the brick pallet... save a lot of work rotating everything added... All that aside, I do like it, and am continuing to use it. Plan on ordering a bunch of my own designs later, I guess I'll let you all know how it works out.

Hmmmh From looking at the LDD galleries online... Most of the models are made by kids. and they are for the most part, rather expensive compared to official sets (which also tend to be ... more proffesional looking) I cannot see the majority of uploaded models being actually purchased, aside from the novelty of a kid buying his/her own design. I wonder how succesful this is going to be... I think it might be cool to acually see some afols building and buying each other sets, perhaps done in a Classic Space theme? Anyone here up for that? perhaps we could have a sticky thread here with a listing of models intended for others? (not just for the parts or novelty of 'my own set')

Disclaimer: I havent ever tried removing a print from a piece Brasso car polish? sounds abrasive Why not try just plain rubbing alcohol? or paint thinner (danger, might melt plastic)?

Decided to make an imitation of the old Exo Raider 8381 set. Of course, I never owned that set, so I have no idea how it is actually built. Thus my version 'Xeno Raider' came out with 118 pieces, as opposed to 94 as listed on peeron. It is also interesting to note, that it costs 13.45$USD while the real Exo Raider was 10$USD. Of course, it lacks the pull-back motor. Interesting price comparision... Does LDD beat the actual set... or not, hard to say. I think I might buy it anyhow, nice looking Racer...

Thanks for the review. I was planning on keeping away from SpongeBob, but that Bikini Bottom set is seriously tempting now. The way the house unfolds and how they used the diagonal plates to hold the hinges at a perfect 45* angle is genious. Before now I had always thought that using hinges to get circles always meant instability, but that offers lots of ideas for MOCs...nice round but strong spaceship engines... hmmmmmmh! Looks like lots of good orange parts in there.... I guess I could fit the new figs into some kinda Space Bar setting, where you could overlook how odd they are. How much did it cost btw?

Yep, I totally agree with you on this point. But the way they're going with the dedicated online comics, It'll never happen. This is a Major reason why I prefer the Robot mechs over the Human ones. The Robots fit more with the traditional structure of generic figs ( I regard the different colored silver robots as ranks, not characters). Plus there is less 'cheese' associated with them, since the silly comics don't focus on them as much.(not that I read those anyway) For a moment I thought you were talking about real politics. lol, what a depressing world we live in.

I think thats a Good Thing. Having all the robots based on the same basic skeleton and joint system is what bothers me most about ExoForce (aside from the silly looking minifigs and story). Be nice to see more mechs that use different joint/skeleton methods....

Keep in mind that LDD is a part of Lego, and they aren't going to shoot themselves in the foot with it. I doubt they'd ever make rare pieces or minifigs available em mass in LDD, at least not cheaply.

Havent had the chance to install the new software yet. But just looking at the online LDD gallery (and searching for my old uploaded models) CheckPrice shows 0$ and that they can't be added to cart. They still working out the bugs with the new production process or something?

Wow, that looks great! And I do like that the robots win. I just can't take the humans seriously with their constant manaical grins and ugly hair. not sure whats going on with the red technic rod between the legs tho 8-

I think it's worse. Which I stand by. You don't know smokers in general, but perhaps you are harmed by one who regularly rides the same bus as you on the way to work. You could specifically point out 'the smokers I'm stuck with on the bus everyday' for example, instead of just all smokers. Since it's only the ones near you that you breathe smoke from; there are plenty of other who I'm sure are courteous enough to stay in the smoking sections of restaruants and so foruth. Take an analagous situation, if rather than smokers, this was a question of having a problem with people of a given race, vs a single annoying neighbor. Generalizations are worse because they let us put blame indiscriminatly without having to face anyone properly. Bleh, when I saw this topic title I thought it was goint to talk about Smoke colored lego windscreens. The PickaBrick at my local store always has hundreds of car windscreens, but theyre all trltblue, I want smoke colored ones. Its a more neutral color and lets me use it with more different color combos. On a semi related note, my oldest bricks from when I was a kid dont smell, but they often feel greasy or oily. This kinda goes away with a hot water wash. I usually shake them dry and dont worry about any remaining moisture. Hows water going to hurt plastic anyhow?

"What is the verb for searching through your collection" 'searching' :-D

But the 'broad-spectrum' is made up of millions of individuals, so isn't that kinda a millions of times worse than if you had aimed at specifically UltraPrime? Or does not knowing who they are make it OK, like throwing bricks into a crowd randomly? -Just a thought about broad opinions. Anyhow, yeah, Smoking is kinda gross, I don't care if anyone wants to do it though as long as its not near me they can do whatever they want with their body. I'm all for freedom and legalized drug use and so on, people should be allowed to make choices good and bad (not gonna lock anyone up).

It seems to me, that with Highway Enforcer, they could have Easily replaced the big rear bumper sticker, with a printed 1*2 tile for the licence plate, and some standard trans red 1*1 tiles for the tail lights.... Stickers.... not nice...

Yes, by bionicle standards they are very unique(that doesn't say much considering that Bionicle... ...but thats a different topic). But that doesn't change the fact that they are pretty 'standardized' as far as System sets go. SuperNova actually bored me quite a bit, it was esentially the same old mecha frame, just with lots of wings and stuff tacked on that breaks off easily and makes it harder to play with.

If it's a small set with just one bag, Like a Tiny Turbo, or XPod; I'll build it inside the bag without opening it.

Looking more closely at my wierd 1*1 slopes here, I am definetly thinking its some kind of moulding problem. Of the two more normal looking smooth slopes, one of them seems almost half rough, with what looks like tiny air bubbles or somthing marring the surface. So I'm guessing the rough ones are actually an extreme case of whatever that is... towards the center one of the *almost* has a shiny smooth area. its looks almost like the mould is corroded or something.... 5 1*1 slopes... that would be a pain to get replaced...

Bridge Walker is nice that its a non-humanoid shaped mech. However... I'm predicting with those wide hips, that Lego will design the hip joints to be non-functional, for stability and just being able to stand; as opposed to posability and walking motion. (Same case for Striking Venom, look closely and you'll notice it has non-bending knees) Its too bad that larger ones tend to be statues cause of the weight... I'd like to see a more Technic-ized model with actual geared legs and counterbalancing.. and *maybe* motorization (tho even the best MOCers have trouble with motorized walkers) ohwell...

Just noticed that lego has a small number of remote control Racers.... Looking at peeron inventories, it sounds like they were originally technic with some special motors and R/C modules, but the newer ones seem to be made of larger specialized pieces. Does anyone know more about these? Kinda curious just how 'lego' they are (both the new pieces, and the specialized motors) Might be fun to have, assuming they're still compatible with normal legos... Any idea if the R/C motors and steering can be hooked up to a Mindstorms RCX? A robot with powerful fast motors like that.....

How Ironic then, that the mecha cockpits don't actually enclose the pilots. :-D

I just got the 2006 red Auto XPod. and notice that of the 6 red 1*1slope pieces, 4 of them are rough surface with dull pale red color, and 2 of them are a smooth shiny surface with slightly darker red. slight differences in color I can believe as quality control issues, but what about the surface of the brick being rough versus smooth? I've had a similar issue with ThunderFury (from exoforce) some of the roof tile bricks (used as armour) were smooth, and others were rough... I don't see official part variations on peeron for this though, plus is seemed kinda random, different textured bricks even when they were all the same color and symetrical placement on the model.... Any ideas on this? Anyone else notice?

nope its a Shinto Gate http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torii You see them around shrines...

Thanks for the Info They look like nice parts packs, you get those nice big slopes from each leg, and either gun or wing pieces depending on red/white. Dunno what I'd do with the cloned figures tho. I actually wouldn't mind that they replaced the 'spacegun' pieces on the white mech's arms, the piece they used instead makes a nice small manuevering thruster for space MOCs ohwell, too bad I'm in the USA and can't get these who knows tho... maybe in a few months might show up as a shop@home exclusive