DLuders

In case you missed the announcement on the EB Frontpage, here are two new jobs for Lego fans to apply for: Graphic Designer: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=42407 . Product Designer: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=42408 . (Sariel? Zblj? Nico71? Conchas? )

Maybe the new store will look like this : On Opening Day, the store may give out some promotional or commemorative bricks. Look for them!

Is it possible that the "Alternate Model" is the addition of the 5223 Windup Motor? From the 8240 "Slammer Stunt Bike" Building Instructions downloadable from both http://us.service.lego.com/en-US/BuildingI...ns/default.aspx and http://www.brickfactory.info/set/index.html , Page 74 of Set 8240 shows a website http://www.lego.com/slammer and http://www.lego.com/powerpacks. Neither one of these sites are "active" anymore; one has to navigate past the default Lego main page by pressing the URL links above TWICE. Do you think that the "alternate instructions" were once posted at these websites? Again using either http://us.service.lego.com/en-US/BuildingI...ns/default.aspx or http://www.brickfactory.info/set/index.html, one can see that Page 54 of 8242 "Slammer Turbo" set also lists the http://www.lego.com/powerpacks website:

@ Jonwil & Jan: Good sleuthing! I had not seen the real 4x4 plate with center hole or mini dice game pieces before. Of course, it would be much more impressive to make dice out of Technic pieces, like this (from http://technicbricks.blogspot.com/search?q=dice ):

Here's an unusual Lego Technic Connector piece for which The Lego Group (TLG) has a US Patent, but which never released in an official Lego set: http://cgi.ebay.com/LEGO-Technic-Angle-Con...=item35a9232254 . I'm going to call it "Technic, 4-Axle Connector with Center Pin Hole". Click on the link to see what it looks like. That strange piece got me wondering whether there are OTHER US Patents for Lego parts that have never been produced. I searched the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) using the terms "Lego Toy" ( http://search.usa.gov/search?query=lego+to...p;commit=Search ) to try to find the connector above. I found quite a few that HAVE BEEN RELEASED by TLG, and some like these which have never been released: Plate, 4 x 4 with 2 x 2 Center Hole ( http://www.uspto.gov/web/patents/patog/wee...0-20100420.html ): "Cubicle Building Elements" ( http://www.uspto.gov/web/patents/patog/wee...8-20100420.html and http://www.uspto.gov/web/patents/patog/wee...9-20100420.html ): Perhaps the most intriguing is the "Remote Controlled Toy" ( http://www.uspto.gov/web/patents/patog/wee...8-20100413.html ): "1. A toy construction set comprising: a first toy construction element configured to resemble a toy construction element; toy construction elements which contains electronic units controllable from said first toy construction element; wherein the toy construction elements and the first toy construction element form a toy structure when incorporated therein; said first toy construction element has integrated within it; a storage memory configured to store a program; a processor to execute the program stored in the storage memory; a transmitter; and a user interface configured to enter a program for storage in the storage memory and execution by the processor in the first toy element; said program, when executed by the processor, providing control of the toy construction elements to provide controlled actions of the toy structure; wherein the first toy element is configured to transmit the program as a download signal; and a second toy construction element with: a receiver arranged to receive the download signal, a user interface for operating the second toy element by a choice selection; a storage memory configured to store the program; means for executing the program which is configured for execution by the first and second toy element said execution providing program control of electronic units that resemble elements of the toy construction set and are coupled directly to the second toy element; wherein the second toy construction element checks whether the download signal is to be interpreted as commands which are to be executed at once or whether the download signal is to be interpreted as commands which are to be stored for subsequent execution." The year of this patent (2004) is after the Lego Mindstorms, but before Power Functions. Is this patent for Lego Spybotics? Maybe it's something that was never introduced....

There are many official Lego sets that have been modelled in Lego Digital Designer (LDD) -- http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?...st&p=727293 . Some of the sets would be "right at home" within Lego Universe. I was not part of the LU Beta Test, but I'm wondering whether there will be a way of IMPORTING LDD files into Lego Universe? Or, could the official sets be "background props" within the LU game itself? Think of how much fun it would be to "blow up" the 10188 Death Star set within Lego Universe! It's already possible using the LDD 3.1 "Lego Universe Mode" software (you go into "View Mode" (F6), and then you "Explode the Model" (Cntl-U). What do you think?

These are cute little creations! If you are taking "requests" for additional game creations (and would be willing to make larger MOCs), could you make one or more of the following? 1) Horseshoe Pits 2) Shuffleboard 3) Bowling Alley

@ Zblj: I like your custom LDD parts. They would allow Technic fans to create building instructions for their MOCs. Perhaps one of the reasons for a lack of Technic LDD files is that key pieces are missing from the LDD parts pallette (like the ones you substituted). Of course, it WOULD BE NICE if LDD 4.0 just added the additional parts. I've noticed that any Technic parts that have a moving element (like the pneumatic piston, Power Functions switch, shock absorbers, clutch gear, etc.) are not in the existing LDD 3.1 parts pallette. @ Calabar: Yes, if you created an "indexed" topic of custom LDD parts, I bet you that folks would contribute to it.

I want to try to make this "dawg". I looked for your LDraw file on your Brickshelf folder http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=125987 , but I could not locate it. Are you going to post the file there, or on this Eurobricks site?

It looks like Milan has a head start on building a Heavy Hauler trailer, like this (from http://www.sinotrailers.com/heavy-haul-trailers.htm ):

Although one could make a Great Ball Contraption (GPC) conveyor belt with many wheel rollers, it wouldn't be nearly as challenging as making a "heavy haulage trailer" like these: http://www.dennisbosman.nl/lego/lego-t-spec.html . You could probably load one of your existing Lego Technic creations around with it....

"Barman" posted this wish for future Lego Technic parts, to "couple" Linear Actuators together ( http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=376249 ). If it ever became reality, think of the increased extension that one could get on excavators and other heavy equipment....

No, I haven't ordered a Lego DesignByMe set, but I have bought lots of new sets and used bricks to make the creations I've done in LDD. The problem with my MOCs is that, many times, there are parts used that aren't supported by the Lego DesignByMe parts pallette (especially with the onset of the LDD 3.1 "Lego Universe Mode").

Thanks, Calabar! I edited my original post above to include your LDD file, now with the Dragon's two front teeth installed! My question to you is, if Superkalle says that inserting a Technic Pin inside a 1x1 Round Brick is now a LDD "illegal technique", how were you able to do this? The last LDD screen shot that I put in my post above clearly shows the teeth installed per the original 3724 Building Instructions....

From the Lego DesignByMe FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) webpage http://designbyme.lego.com/en-us/FAQ/default.aspx , it says: Following are the steps you need to go through to make your own custom LEGO set: •Install LEGO Digital Designer 3.1 for free to start your experience. •Use your imagination and have fun as you build your own dream model. If you wish to share your Masterpiece with our other fans, you are more than welcome to upload it to our Design byME Gallery. •Design your own unique box, give your set a name, and choose if you wish to get an auto-generated, printed building guide. You may also add your own name to show who is behind the design. •When you´re all done and satisfied, order your customized, Design byME LEGO set. SO, it would appear that you could design the box BEFORE you have to order the set. I'm not sure whether you'll be able to SAVE anything, however, unless you pay for it.

@ Calabar & Randal: I followed your instructions, and made the direct link to the 3724_Dragon.lxf file. Thanks for the tip.

Nico71 recently posted a detailed explanation about the history of the "Mechanical Calculator" (Adding Machine). It appears (in French) on the SeTechnic website http://www.setechnic.com/Forum/topic3080.html , and is translated into English here: http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?d...TrUrl=Translate . Scroll most of the way down the page to see the LEGO TECHNIC version. (NOTE: For those who don't regularly speak French or English, you can Copy/Paste the original French SeTechnic URL above into the free online translator http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_txt , then "Translate a Web Page" and "Select From and To Languages" from French into your native language). The two dials of entries are the small ones, the large one with the back is that of the results. To add one proceeds as follows: - Dial at zero, one turns the crank of right-hand side until reaching the first figure, the dial of results posts the first figure then the dial at left is blocked, and the crank is turned, it is the right dial which to turn and one stops with the second figure. The dial posts the sum of both.

If you are into LEGO TECHNIC, Han's "Original Mods" page is for you: http://www.designer-han.nl/lego/original%20modifications.htm .

Here's the 3724 Dragon Set from 2001-2002. The box for the 1,540 pieces was black-and-white, indicating that this was not sold on store shelves but was a direct-to-consumer set. It originally cost US$99. I remember seeing one of these "in the round" at a regional Lego show years ago. Having just built this digitally in LDD over 9 hours' time, I can say that this Dragon is almost SOLID BRICKS. It must be quite heavy when built with real Lego pieces. Placing overlapping layers of green bricks and plates was a bit difficult at times due to a lack of color contrast; I couldn't see the "seams" of the bricks without passing my mouse over them. Rotating the red wings and opening the jaw was easier than I thought it would be. The Dragon LDD file is complete, except for the tan 32x32 baseplate (which came with the real set). Thanks to Calabar for adding the Dragon's two front teeth. My modern PC (running Windows Vista) took 5 minutes to compile the digital Building Guide. The program would proceed two-thirds of the way through its progress bar, then have to start over 3 times. I guess the wings and open mouth confused the program, but it eventually did it. I am amazed that an .lxf file only 61KB in size can represent a 1,540-piece Lego model! The 3724 Dragon is in the same genre as the BIG 3723 Minifigure Set (which has 1,849 pieces and was sold from 2000-2002 for US$149). That would be good for somebody (not me) to attempt to build in LDD.... Complete LDD File (with 2 front teeth, thanks to Calabar's help): 3724_-_lego_dragon The LDD file and screen shots reside at my Brickshelf folder http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=432892 (Right-Click and "Save As" the 3724-dragon.lxf ZIP file on your computer, then unzip it.)

Ah, I can smell the rich Corinthian Leather seats from here.... I like the wood tiles. It looks right at home in the forest!

You could probably have fun with these LDD files in your "racy" theme: Flying Rocket: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=428327 . Large Rocket: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=428331 .

@ Randal & MrTools: Both the Green Grocer and the Grand Emporium LDD files (plus a lot more) are available at http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?...st&p=727293 .

Here's a different Technic MOC (posted on Fabianhh1's Brickshelf folder http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=125987 ) -- Man's Best Friend, the "Cosmodog"! There is a detailed photoset and extensive commentary ("Making_Of-Cosmodog.TXT" file) on that website. Great MOC, Fabian! Movie #1: http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/fabianhh...g/cosmodog1.mov (both videos take about 30 seconds to load up) Movie #2: http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/fabianhh...g/cosmodog2.mov Technical details: Size: 30 X 29 X 16 cm Weight: 740g Number of motors: 3 X 9 volt Controls: Control Centre from Lego Set 8094 Number of parts: approx. 600 Functions: (1) Walking, (2) turning the head, (3) raising and lowering the head, (4) turning the ears, and (5) wagging the tail.

Has anybody used the 54930c01 Light Brick ( http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=54930c01 ) as a tail light for their TECHNIC creation? So far, this light brick has only been used for 6 sets (mostly for the eyes of dragons and other mythical creatures http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemIn.asp...930c01&in=S ). It is described as "Electric, Light Brick 2 x 3 x 1 1/3 with Trans-Red Top and Red LED Light", so it may be small enough to use in a Technic or Model Team MOC. Peeron lists this as "'Electric Light Brick 2 x 3 x 1 & 1/3 with TrRed Top and Red Bulb' (54930cx1)" ( http://peeron.com/inv/parts/54930cx1 ): The 54930c01 Light Brick being used in dual engine exhaust of the new 5892 "Sonic Boom" Lego Creator 3-in-1 Jet (which are on Toys 'R Us store shelves now, and being sold online at http://shop.lego.com/product/?p=5892&L...7&ShipTo=US ): Since Bricklink has LOTS of the 54930c01 Light Bricks available at a reasonable cost ( http://www.bricklink.com/catalogPG.asp?P=5...&colorID=85 ), it may be a lot less expensive to buy than the 8870 Power Functions LED Light ( which cost 5 times as much).

According to http://lego.wikia.com/wiki/2011 , the Lego Star Wars theme is set to be discontinued in 2011 because their license with gazillionaire George Lucas is expiring. You would think that this theme would be extended (because Lego has sold LOTS of Star Wars sets).... See more about this at http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EI...1/ai_n16060872/ .