henrysunset

I just purchased used LEGO Dimension disks for a good price (no minifigures or microscale models), and will let people know if I have any problems using them in the game. If not, this is probably the most cost effective way to enjoy the entire Dimensions videogame world.

One thing I didn't cover in the article is the option of purchasing used LEGO Dimensions kits. In practical terms, the LEGO minifigure or mini models aren't required to play the game - all that the portal sees is the RFID chip in the base. As such, you can sell the minifigures and still play the game, or buy just the RFID disks. I do not believe any user data is stored in the RFID disk, but I'm not 100% sure. I know, for example, that the vehicles in the game can earn upgrades. That data about your vehicle upgrades might sit on a LEGO Dimensions server associated with your Gamer ID, or it might sit on the disk itself. Question: Does anyone have experience borrowing a friend's LEGO Dimensions kits, or buying used sets? Thanks, ---tom

The LEGO Dimensions game is The LEGO Group's first foray into the growing field of “Toys to Life”, where physical toys with RFID tags can be pulled into your gaming experience by placing the toy on a special portal. The gameplay is based on the hugely successful LEGO Star Wars, Harry Potter, Indiana Jones and more, by video game developer TT. LEGO Dimensions Starter Pack I purchased the Starter Pack on Black Friday, and wanted to better understand what I was getting myself into before I started purchasing any of the Level Packs, Team Packs, or Fun Packs. At 30/25/15$ each (respectively) these little purchases will add up quickly. This is why I wanted to understand how much I would need to pay to experience the whole game. What I've concluded is that the base game is a pretty decent value, especially if you consider that LEGO bricks are worth about 0.10$ each piece. The value of the expansions seems to vary. There are four levels of investment in LEGO Dimensions: 100$ – Starter Pack Only – Just buy the Starter Pack and play through the main game and three adventure worlds. 315$ – All Levels and Adventure Worlds – By purchasing the right sets, you can unlock the entire game. You will still miss some puzzles which require a specific character. 390$ – All Levels, Adventure Worlds, and Character/Vehicle Abilities – A carefully selected set of Fun Packs will give you every in-game ability. 565$ – Everything – If you want every character, vehicle and Accessory, it’s going to cost a premium! I prepared an in-depth analysis of exactly what sets you need to buy to save the most money at: http://brickarchitect.com/legodimensions/ Don't forget that the new content comes out every two months, so there are plenty of ways to spend even more in the future! Sincerely, Tom

Take a look at this project I did to re-create the infinite waterfall MC Escher print. http://tomalphin.com/2013/10/lego-challenge-12-impossible-escher.html

I just finished building the new Empire State Building. It's a great model with lots of intricate SNOT work and some complex offsets to work through. It took about an hour to build. This set will be a great source for LEGO Part #87087 (Brick, stud 1 side), and 2412 (1x2 Grille). I don't have the new #18674 2x2 round jumper, so I improvised. Tom Alphin @ Instagram I'm excited to finish the model later tonight.

Yup, I'm classy like that... I did the same thing when I reverse-engineered the Louvre and Flatiron models.

I re-created the Venice model last night. Here is a photo: https://www.instagram.com/tomalphin/

I'm really excited about LEGO Architecture, so naturally I was thrilled to see that high-res photos of four of the new 2016 LEGO Architecture sets are here! The biggest news is the introduction of a third series within the the LEGO Architecture product line! "Cityscapes" feature several iconic buildings from cities around the world in a single model, joining the existing "Architect" and "Landmark" series. The four 2016 LEGO Architecture sets (including the new "cityscapes".) I'm thrilled to try the new sets, and see what additional Cityscapes we have in the future. I'm also excited to see at least one more large-scale model this year - The Burj Khalifa (albeit an updated version of a model from 2011.) Lots more analysis, including expected piece counts and prices, more details on the standard base used on all three cityscape models and more at http://brickarchitec...e-2016-preview/ Sincerely, ---tom P.S. There is also a rumour of a further UK and New York set this year, I'm personally hoping for a detailed model of the Chrysler building, but One WTC seems like a good guess as well. What do you think? What UK or New York buildings should be added to the series?

Have you always wanted to organize your LEGO collection, but didn't know how to get started? Or, maybe you've already sorted your LEGO, but it's hard to find which box, bin or drawer has the part you need? I'm excited to share a massive update to the LEGO Brick Labels collection to include most of the bricks in a typical AFOL LEGO collection. Sample showing crisp images and a clear description of each LEGO Element. This updated collection includes 500 different labels organized into the following groups: Basic Elements (bricks, plates, tiles), SNOT Elements, Slopes, Wedges, Round, Curved, Clips/Hinges. Two additional groups are in “beta” because they aren’t quite complete: Technic, and ‘Other’. LEARN MORE: http://brickarchitect.com/labels/ Sample showing Technic labels on an Akro-Mils 64-drawer cabinet. Here is a low-resolution preview of many of the labels contained in the collection. (Technic is not included in the preview images as it is in "beta".) You can learn more and download the labels at: http://brickarchitect.com/labels/ Love the labels? Let me know! Comments, corrections or ideas how to make them better - I'd love to hear your feedback! Sincerely, Tom Alphin

I just finished an interesting interview with LEGO Artist Paul Wellington, who is probably best known for his large "Brickville" and "Brick City" microscale scenes. I was more interested in his intricate small-scale LEGO models of real buildings like the National Congress of Brazil (as featured in my book The LEGO Architect), and his most recent microscale model of Unity Temple by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. NATIONAL CONGRESS OF BRAZIL Brasilia, Brazil, 1964, Oscar Niemeyer. LEGO Model by Paul Wellington. "The scale of the National Congress of Brazil [LEGO] model is solely based on the sides of the towers, which use 1×8 tiles. I wanted to maximize the number of windows (trans-light blue plates) therefore the tiles could only be connected in one place." UNITY TEMPLE Oak Park, Illinois, 1908, Frank Lloyd Wright. LEGO Model by Paul Wellington. "Unity Temple was conceived by utilizing 2×2 medium stone gray bricks as the corners of the building. Next I imagined creating the columns out of 1×1 bricks with handles. Everything after that essentially fell into place." I asked Paul to tell me how he works within the limited selection of LEGO Elements. He explained: "For the most part I don’t have a problem with the selection of LEGO, just deciding what to build. I like to come up with new uses for pieces, as I rather focus on what LEGO does have rather than don’t. Some of my favorite and most commonly used pieces include headlight bricks, cheese slopes (1x1x2/3 slopes) and brackets. Using just these three parts alone I can create numerous designs from LEGO." Paul's dream elements include: 1×1 Grille Tile, 1×1 Plate with door rail, Wedge Tiles, 1×1 Brick with 2 Adjacent Knobs, and the 1×5 Brick (not pictured). I also asked Paul which new elements he most wishes would be added to the LEGO System. He had a nice list of ideas, which I drew out to share here. Learn more about Paul, how he uses 3D Modeling software to make amazing rendered images of his models, his Brickville / Brick City projects and more by reading the whole interview at: http://brickarchitect.com/2015/paul-wellington/ Sincerely, ---Tom

When building LEGO Architecture, you need to accept rather than fight the limited color palette of LEGO bricks. For me, and for many other LEGO architecture builders, the limited color palettes and limited shapes and types of bricks is part of what makes it fun - you need to improvise and be creative to capture not the literal building, but it's essence. In researching my book, I loved learning more about Postmodern architecture, because it was in that period (1980's) that real architects building real buildings paused and tried something different from Modernism which had grown a bit repetitive. Postmodern architects,much like LEGO architecture enthusiasts got to pick and choose the details of traditional architecture that they wanted to keep, and the ones they wanted to abandon. (drawing inspiration mostly from Greek and Roman inspired Neoclassicism.) It is for this reason that the process of creating a LEGO model of a classical design can take on a bit of a postmodern look. As for your original question, I would say that your goal is to capture the essence of the building the best you can. To my eye, tan is the best match, as the stone has that hue. For the roof, you could use Sand Green to mimic copper. You could also mix colors as in this model. Sincerely, Tom Alphin P.S. I talk a lot about the challenges of working within the LEGO palette, and the limited selection of LEGO elements in the last chapter of my upcoming book, The LEGO Architect. It covers lots of different Architectural styles, too, so check it out. (The book comes out the 25th of this month!)

Glad everyone enjoyed the model as much as I do. I should have asked Steve how many bricks he estimates are included in the model. My guess is around 5,000 bricks, but maybe more.

I am excited to share another in-depth look at an amazing LEGO Architecture creation, a minifigure-scale model of the Maggie's Centre in Newcastle, UK by Edward Cullinan Architects. The LEGO model is by Steve Mayes, an architectural photographer and talented LEGO Artist. Maggie's Centre is a nonprofit organization dedicated supporting people living with cancer, in beautifully designed buildings by influential architects like Frank Gehry and Zaha Hadid. Maggie's Centre (2013) in Newcastle, UK by Edward Cullinan Architects. Steve was generous enough to provide me with a lot of photos of his model, which I chose to show side-by-side with photos of the real building. I think he did an excellent job in capturing some difficult shapes and a lot of fine details in this model. Front of building Rear of building Aerial view of model If you would like to learn more about the design and construction process, and see additional photos of the model, visit http://thebrickarchi...ntre-newcastle/ Sincerely, Tom Alphin

This is really great work! I added it to my pinterest collection here, along with more info about the building: This pin: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/514606694899992407/ LEGO Architecture collection: https://www.pinterest.com/tomalphin/

I think that's a good guess. I forget to include landmarks that aren't buildings. They proved a willingness to be flexible with the recent Trevi Foutnain Set. (Which has some excellent Baroque detailing.) ---tom

Burj Al Arab would be easy - Spencer Rezkalla already designed a perfect model in an appropriate scale. LINK: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/514606694894243655/ ---tom

My guess is that each will be a single building in the respective cities. They might be located to existing or planned LEGO Stores, like the Flatiron set which came out very close to the opening of a store in the Flatiron district. As per usual, religious buildings are unlikely candidates. Some candidates for NYC: Chrysler Building (my preference) One WTC (most likely - notable and brand new - big visitors center planned.) Citicorp Woolworth Building Hearst Tower. NY Public Library Some candidates in Venice: Villa La Rotonda, by Andrea Palladio (technically outside Venice, my pick.) Campanile di San Marco (can be completed in a reasonable sized model.) Doge's Palace (difficult to create a reasonable sized model.) Some candidates in Berlin: I've only visited Berlin once, so I can't speak to which seems most likely... Reichstag (lots of history, and blend of old and new with 1992 renovation.) Berlin TV Tower Charlottenburg Palace As for why they decided to create a new version of the Burj Khalifa - my guess is that they feel like there is money to be made with a better model of this famous building. (The existing model is one of the weakest in the entire Architecture series.) I would still rather a completely new model than a remake. What do you think? What iconic buildings have I missed? ---Tom Alphin

The book is complete and now available for preorders. I just noticed the pre-order price at Amazon US has dropped to 15.05$, which is the lowest price yet! It will be available in stores in September. Preorder links and more information about the book is available at: http://thebrickarchitect.com/book/ Cheers! ---tom

@Trance89, Unfortunately, I can't take credit for this one. It was designed by Grant Passmore, who goes by Eiffleman. He doesn't post on this site so I shared on his behalf.

LAX Theme Building. Photo by ‘monkeytime | brachiator’ used under CC BY-SA 2.0 I can't take credit for this amazing small LEGO model in the style of the Architecture series - it was designed by Grant Passmore, who goes by Eiffleman on the LEGO Ideas set. It is based on the iconic building which is in the center of LAX Airport in Los Angeles, California. The building was built in 1961 by Pereira & Luckman Architects, Paul Williams and Welton Becket LAX Theme Building. LEGO Model by Grant Passmore / Eiffleman. Grant designed the LEGO model using the LDD CAD Software, which is why the photos are so crisp - they are 3d renderings using POV-ray application. You can find more info about the LEGO Artist, additional photos, and an image of an earlier draft of this model at http://thebrickarchitect.com Sincerely, Tom Alphin P.S. If you like this model, be sure to vote for it on the Ideas site at: https://ideas.lego.com/projects/107923

Really cool model. Great to see it in progress, and to see the CAD models as well. I added it to my "High Tech" LEGO Architecture collection on Pinterest: https://www.pinteres...ture-high-tech/ Sincerely, ---tom

Great work! I hope you are excited to see that I added it to my "High Tech" LEGO Architecture collection on Pinterest: https://www.pinteres...ture-high-tech/ Sincerely, ---tom

You have a couple important decisions to tackle early in the project. 1) Are you trying to capture the "essence" of the buildings, or a precise re-creation? 2) Is a small scale important to make the project feasible, or are you happy to make a massive model? I would strongly suggest trying to keep the scale as small as possible to keep the project cost under control. My own bias is towards capturing the essence of the buildings and the campus in the smallest model you are able. This allows you to take simplifying design decisions, like reducing the number of columns across the long front facade. Based on the model you showed, I counted 26 columns. Do you care that there are exactly 26 columns in your model, or do you simply care that there are "a lot of columns"? If so, maybe 16 columns might capture the essence of that building while keeping size and cost down. A viewer is more likely to see "oh yeah, that building sure has a lot of columns" rather than counting each column and pointing out that you don't have quite enough. (I wish you could see the last chapter from my upcoming book, The LEGO Architect, as it includes in-depth discussion around relevant topics like Scale, Form & Detail, and Color in LEGO model building, but it won't be available in stores until the end of the summer.) Best of luck, looks like a fun project! ---tom

I had no idea that they were unrelated. Thanks for the clarification!

While there were some enjoyable parts, I felt like this wasn't as good as it could have been. We get some great small segments about the LEGO Birds set, the interview process for a coveted LEGO designer job, and Mark Guest's experiences making Bricks Culture magazine a reality. The real missed opportunity is that the show lacked a cohesive story. I think they should have stuck with a single theme, possibly about the LEGO group's obsession with secrecy, and produed a more focused story. I have shared my highlights from the show, some photos, and a more detailed review at http://thebrickarchitect.com/2015/the-secret-world-of-lego/ Cheers, ---tom