xenologer

If youre stocking up on something small like 1*1 or 1*2 bricks, you can pour them into the hollow bump in the lid, then use some scotch tape to seal them in there. This way you can turn the lid over and snap the cup closed and still have that normally wasted space in the lid filled up.

I really like the simple compact shape. Looks very elegant and speedy. And it makes good sense too, since in space there's no need for wings really. PS check this out some of the similarity between inner-space and outer-space is striking

This is of course assuming (wishful thinking) that the huge price increase is the "mistake" they were refferring to. The actual wording in the email was "several items", which by no means indicates the across-the-board increase we are observing. It may well be that the majority of prices are unfortunatly correct and the several mistakes are really just 1 or two bricks that are off by a few cents...

It works OK enough. Clicking on a hinge and using the arrow buttons moves it in 18degree increments. Alternatly, clicking and dragging the green arrows allows analog rotation to any direction. This basically lets you aim a hinge anyplace you want; just not with much accuracy. But do you really need to input an exact degree measure of rotation? Most people who build models requiring that amount of precision placement are already more advanced software. I can see however, that 18degree increments is a pretty dumb design choice considering that click hinges in real life go in increments of 22.5degrees. You can just work around this of course by using the analog controls to approximate the correct angles.

I do not shop at TRU and am annoyed by TRU exclusives since they make the item hard for me to find. It sounds like all 3 sets are actually designed already, and the ones not picked for TRU exclusive will simply become available at other stores. Therefore, my recomendation is to vote on the TRU site, for the set you are least interested in purchasing. Thus the good set you actually wanted, will instead appear on a wider selection of stores without the TRU extra markup price.

Right clicking will recenter the camera on the brick you clicked on. Not as good as a real pan but might help; can always drop little 1*1 rounds as temporary camera anchor points. I dunno, for all the nice new bricks, if I'm not going to be able to afford them it takes half the motivation out of my using the software.

Indeed those are some wonderful pieces. But the Prices are now RIDICULOUS$$ My old designs now cost 2 to 3 times more now! Sadly it is no longer cost effective for me to order designs from LDD now. I'm better off buying sets off the shelf for part supplies.

Thanks for the informative review. agree that this is one of the weaker sets this year. Technic is all about realistic mechanics, so its dissapointing that the features on this truck are so... unrealistic. I would have accepted the pendular suspension on the rear, but not the front. Similarly the spring shock would be better of as a pair up front instead of rear. Lack of rack and pinion also makes it seem rather cheaply done. I have far too much red bricks; if it was done in a more unusual color I'd at least be inclined to buy it for the parts.

Neat. Please tell us about the steering mechanism. Is it magnetic or motorized rack+pinion?

Sure I miss em but they're kinda... a thing of the past what with TLC's new quality controls for model designs. Too much work to make an alternate model that conforms to all their design limits.

Yes, under the File menu is an Import option. It lets you select one of your other models and load it into the current project.

I like it. And if the interiour is anything like your old version then its pretty good too. About the only thing I'd change is, reduce the engines at the rear to only 2. Simplification is cleaner looking, and it would solve your color issue.

something Spacey Mars Mission seems to be cancelled, but something with a few alien commanders would be great. To replace all those useless armless ones that ruined the first year...

1. No, LDD does not have this capability. 2. Under the File menu is an Import option. This allows you to add models onto each other. But there is no glue. 3. You can create your baseplate and brick layout, save it, then use the Import option to re-use it when starting new projects. But again, no glue.

I Love how the cockpit area flows so nicely into the rest of the interior; in fact until I saw the rest of the pics I thought it was just a super heavy fighter without an interiour! And the angled hull panels surrounding a more traditional studs on top body is a great construction technique. I'll have to keep that method in mind when I graduate from fighters to bigger ships someday.

Here are some interesting spacey constructions I did today: In front, a few replacements for the Classic Space thruster's. You've seen me use the center one(or at least some variant) in MOCs before. The two on each side are smaller profile, closer to the Classic part, just sideways. -which may be quite useful considering how often people like to remake CS with SNOT. In rear, I just today realized that these pieces fit perfectly like that. Might be useful as an engine intake, or exhaust, or as a greeble (fill in the center with engine guts). Have fun.

What really gets me though, is that option C becomes less and less likely as the price inflates. No one can afford to open it anymore. Putting a ridiculous price tag on a sealed box effectively destroys the bricks inside...

I didn't like it much. Mostly because the vehicles didn't make much sense, having the pilot sit behind the engine exhaust seems like a recipe for barbeque. That and how everything is free floating; engines not connected to the cockpit solidly. And where's the gas tank? Sure, they were trying to capture the excitement of chariot races. I just don't think it works as well when you take the horses and replace them with jet engines... and make the chariot float... I mean, analogies to old ideas often work well in science fiction, but they took things too literally with the design of pod racers; so it just didn't work for me...

I love the use of the new round windscreens and how nicely they fit with the dish. Looks very futuristic, could easily be a space construction vehicle.

I know I am. Space Pirates just make for more interesting characters anyway.

I open everything I buy. Consider that bricks built 50years ago are still completely compatible with those made today. (color and cotroversial quality issues aside) they are still the same toy. In fact I'll often rebuild old sets using online instructions and parts on hand. With that in mind, I see no special value in an old set being MISB and actually hate the way prices inflate so senselessly. The only possible benefit of a MISB box is the convenience of not having to bricklink for that 1 last missing brick... Really, how silly is it? People trading MISB boxes back and forth for higher and higher values; but if it never gets opened and played with you may as well be owning just a cardboard box, its worthless as LEGO in such a state. Go ahead and open yours.

New Part? Look really closely at Freeze Ray Frenzy, on the alien guy's speeder bike. He's sitting centered atop that engine cylinder, which ought to have 2*3 studs on top. Perhaps there is a new 2*3 jumper plate he's using as a seat? Also look at how the bionicle wings on the Space Truck Getaway are attached, that would appear to be a new technic/system hybrid brick holding them on. Potentially very useful for making suspension systems on cars...

Pretty Im seriously wondering what those darker blue pieces at the top of the fountain are.

I like the concept but think some of the implementation could be improved. For example, the swiveling engines are cool, but they are connected by a single stud and the technic connector is exposed. This would be better if you could hide it and perhaps put an intake or something on the front of the engine. Similarly, the small guns on each side are showing the bottom of that plate; not that plates are bad, but its rather plain looking in this case. Try beefing up those guns.

I love this set. Good source of nice printed tiles. And you get that engine piece. I suspect the only reason such an odd design was created though, was to satisfy all the people who bought the Trike and needed an extra wheel to MOC a normal 4 wheeled vehicle. It's a shame the modern Mars Mission Trike doesn't have a similar accessory set...