Yatkuu

Hi, I don't consider myself a MOC expert but here are my own 2 cents. The obvious: I agree with the others, just keep trying you'll get better eventually. When I look at what I built a year ago and compare it to my present MOCs there is a huge difference! I'm not a LDD user but there is one thing that bothers me with the idea of being able to use as many bricks as you want in any colors you want - I see it as an obstacle to creativity. Let's say for example you want to build a wall - I think the first reaction of someone who is not very experienced in MOCing will probably be to build it plain in 1 single color (ok I might be exagerating a little but you get the idea). On the other hand if you try to build it with what you have (half grey, black + modified bricks...) you will be forced to give your wall a different look because of these constraints and realize that placing a window, recess a part, alternate colors will give a much more interesting result. My method when I start a MOC is the following: Get a good idea (I'm kinda obsessed myself with the idea of building things that have either never been done before or for which I know I can bring something new to the community) Find reference material, pictures, articles anything about your target. Identify the details of your subject that are making it recognizable. Even the best MOCers have to compromise and you will never be able to reproduce exactly your subject. The important thing is to be able to capture "the essence" of it. These details and the way you will be able to reproduce them will likely define the scale of your model so start with them and... connect the pieces. The next step will be to work on the presentation of your builds... but that's for another topic because these is a lot to learn there as well! Good luck and have fun, I'm looking forward to see your MOCs!

Really cool! A very original idea with a great execution full of clever techniques (like all your MOCs btw) The alien office desk is awesome and so is the landscape trough the window, the rolled blind on the human side is a nice touch too. The only thing I'm not to fond of is the base that is a bit heavy IMO. Good luck in the contest! I see you have added a dish/planet on the back (I think you have the second pic posted twice... And congrats for making it onto the BB!)

Interesting topic I must say. This "shift" occurred during my DA and when I came out I did not really asked myself what had happened to the smiley faces and old school Lego sets I knew as a kid - I just welcomed the change with enthusiasm. That being said, no matter how successful these changes turned out to be I think a lot of people are still considering Lego as it was back then though – I see the reactions of people when they check my MF on my desk – “what? Is that Lego?” Anyway – I would be happy to read what Pr. Aanchir (PhD in Legology) has to say about this!

Thank you so much for such a detailed explanation. Your post is actually the first one I have printed out of EB for future reference! I have never played with the exposure length or the F# setup (actually I don't think my camera has these options but since I'm considering upgrading my gear I'll keep these ones in mind for sure. Using your TV as light source is pretty clever, I'm sure this can bring very unexpected results though. btw ... you say you are no expert, I beg to disagree!

I am obviously stunned as any honest AFOL should be but I am mostly impressed by the quality of the photography – and the same comments goes as well for the Automaton Machine MOC. I mean… it is already difficult as it is to shoot right very large MOCs… but you did it in the dark and you managed to still have a sharp rendering… (the first picture is incredible) how did you manage this?? Could you please explain a little the setup you have used, the camera, did you use any lighting other than the leds from the MOC?

I meant the part with the music equipment, I understand that you want to be true to the original (and you totally are) but I just thought that focusing a light on that part would not spoil the red/blue effect and reveal a bit more of your creation.

Thanks for the feedbacks! Oops, sorry about that, it's fixed! Nope, as you can see from the last pic it's left open on the side. I borrowed the technique myself from Alex Eyland, you should check out his work (much to learn I still have...)

My own 2 cents: we are going to have the traditional 8x8 vignette category, no doubt about that one. For category 2 I would guess (hope) for a larger base (32x32?) where we would be allowed to fit in as many CMF as we want as long as they somehow interact with each other (Did I hear skate park? Circus?) ... And for category 3, I have no idea. You managed to surprise me each time! Perhaps a picture contest where we would have to disguise ourselves as one of the CMF? Anyway, I'm sure it'll be fun!

Yeah, another music related MOC. Keep them coming, we are going to start a new sub-theme! The build is awesome and the concert looks cool too, you already saw them live? Just one question, have you considered using a flashlight or another type of focused lighting source to light the front of the stage? The red/blue lighting effects are really great but it's a shame that the front of the stage is so dark as we can hardly see the (very nice) details.

Thanks for putting up this contest, it got me back into the Zombie MOCing mood! I have added my entry to the Flickr group.

Sarah : Logan… are you sure about this ? Dr Logan : Bub is our only chance! Sarah: But… you are feeding him! Dr Logan: Reward is the key, I’m convinced of it now. This vignette is based on the movie "Day of the Dead"... and is built for a contest hosted by Bricks of the Dead. The different lighting of the 2 sides came as an accident... I only had 1 classic flashlight so I used my cell phone led flash to light the "scientists" side. Here is an overall view of the set... Thanks for watching!

Congratulations to the winners... and a big thanks to everyone who voted for my entry!

That is incredible... 2 years... just wow. I was looking at it and just kept thinking - wait, no... no way... he did'nt... yes he did... I would have to look at this again to really pick my favorite moments (and I certainly will) but out of the top of my head my favorite moments are the drums, it's amazing how you managed to match the timing so precisely and the exploding castle is awesome too. Great job!!

I have another question for Category 2... The max size is 64*64, but are we allowed to use the same space set differently? I am thinking something like a 48*80 baseplate. 64*64 is 4096 studs, 48*80 is 3840 so it is smaller in surface than the maximum allowed but it is longer... so in other words my question is "can we consider the 64*64 limit as a space limit rather than an imposed shape?" The reason I ask for this is that Western Towns are essentially 1 long street, so a rectangle shaped base might be better to give that perspective.

Same question here, I'd really like to come but with my wife and kid (4 years old by then). I saw on the camping website that we also need to buy a campingcard? Is that an extra cost per person or per chalet?

That is a very neat build 74louloute! I had never seen this technique before. Just 1 remark, are you sure this is within the contest category 2 definitions? I thought we were supposed to build a Western influenced town?

Interesting topic, I would not claim that my MOCs are "Art" (certainly not in view of the creations of this guy!) but in my opinion art is about expressing your feelings and ideas trough a medium - whether it's a music instrument, paint or bricks it does'nt really matter. And from that perspective then, yes I would say that any MOC is a form of art. Now the problem is that the perception of Lego by most people does not go any further than considering it as a toy - period. There is nothing we can do about that and afterall...it is what it is... so the question should perhaps be "can we make art out of a toy?" - I'm guessing most people here would say yes...but again, our opinion is a little biased.

a little something made in a couple of hours that got you blogged by the BB... well done! (and well deserved, plenty of good ideas in there)

Nice build! I really enjoy reading your posts on the Brick Blogger in particular the entries on the MBA kits that we unfortunately don't have in Belgium (and no, I'm not willing to pay extra to get it from BL! ) Your posts on the MBA Kits 1 & 2 and the links to the Brickpaper templates you have shared gave me an idea to sketch Lego scaled builds with an iPad. I posted a short tutorial on how to do it here on EB.

I'm really no expert on this but I'll just share with you my experience. I am using one of these: ...to be honest I find this stylus is great to browse the net or play Angry Birds but the drawing is a little difficult as it is pretty thick and you don't really see where you are touching the screen so you need to use the zoom function to be more accurate. I think there are thinner stylus on the market but I have not seen any in the stores where I live and I am hesitant to buy one online without trying it first. I know that there are also tutorials on youtube to build your own stylus.. so maybe that is also an option! Thanks!

Thanks for setting up this contest! Is it allowed to paint our bricks for Cat B and C? I'm thinking a custom painted horse...

Hello fellow iPad users! First of all I must warn you… no, I’m afraid I don’t have the magical iPad app that will allow you to build virtually, this is just a little trick that I have found to be useful when you are away from your bricks and you need to sketch a few ideas. Along with the MBA kits 1 & 2, TLG has provided us with 2 Lego sketch templates (side and top view). The Brick Blogger has posted direct download links to the PDF versions on her blog: Side view Top view Now here is the iPad trick… I have converted these 2 PDF into JPEG and loaded them onto my iPad via iTunes… then with the free app Adobe Ideas, I'm using these 2 JPEG as a background layer for my sketches. Since the sketch and the grid are different layers you can draw and erase your sketch without touching the grid. You can download the 2 JPEG files from my Brickshelf: Template 1 Template 2 I definitely recommend using a stylus, the end result will nevertheless of course depend on your iPad drawing skills… I know I’m pretty lame at that exercise, but this can be useful from time to time.

Thanks for the review! I have to say I am impressed by the figs, in particular the bad guys. These figs could easily be used in different MOCs as they could impersonate a rock band, bikers (hell's angels style) or something related to post apoc. I wonder if Lego has ever produced a missile launcher that actually works...

Yeah! Excellent MOC! That's an original floor technique for the inside (your suggestion or is it your son's?) I agree with the shields and accessories but I'm not too sure about adding the decorated pieces - they feel a little odd to me and with them all egyptian MOCs end up looking alike. I would rather suggest adding some textures to the walls - alternate colors so that it's not completely tan or give is some relief with columns or pillars. On the other hand I would definitely add some tomb raiders figs in the picture! The only thing I'm not too fond of is the dark tan tiling in front of the pyramid.. it feels a little unnatural to have the sand switch color so abruptly (unless the idea is to show the shadow of the pyramid with the sun coming up on the other side?). Great job!

Excellent build, I love the atmosphere. You have some great details in there, the hole in the roof being my favorite. The only thing I'm not too fond of is the store sign "TOYS" - I'm not sure what is bothering me - maybe the fact that is not at the same level as the rest of the wall or maybe it's the light blue that does not work... or the "Y" that looks more like a "4". I don't know how to make a better looking "Y" but with regards to the color of the letters maybe a mix of the red/blue from the fool's hat would work better? Just a question, how do you come up with your stories?!