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Preface
by Allan Bedford
The Unofficial LEGO Builder's Guide
The Unofficial LEGO® Builder’s Guide
What the LEGO Community is Saying about the Unofficial LEGO Builder’s Guide
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. The LEGO System: Endless Possibilities
A Brick Vocabulary
Sizing Up the Elements
The Stud
The Tube
The Brick
Using Various Brick Sizes
The Plate
Using Various Plate Sizes
The Slope
Specialized Elements
Technic
Arch Pieces
Tiles and Panels
Cylinders and Cones
Cylinder Plates
Baseplates
Decorative Elements
Precision, Geometry, and Color
Why Precision Manufacturing Matters
Fun with LEGO Geometry
The Colors
For the Color Challenged
Review: The LEGO System
2. Back to Basics: Tips and Techniques
Decisions, Decisions: The Best Ways to Connect Bricks
Stacking
Overlapping
Staggering
Building Walls
Connecting Walls
Straight Bricks Can Make Round Walls
Bracing: Unseen but Not Forgotten
Bracing = Beams + Columns
Beams
How Not to Build a Beam
The Right Way to Build a Beam
Columns
The Simple Post
The Compound Post
The Chimney Pattern
The Keyhole Pattern
The Hybrid Column
Review: Basic Building Principles
1. Build big but think small.
2. Pick the right bonding pattern.
3. Minifig Scale: Oh, What a Wonderful Minifig World It Is!
Scale: It’s All Relative
Calculating Scale
From the Ground Up: Creating a Minifig-Scale Building
Building Two Versions of the Train Station
Bill of Materials: The Parts You’ll Need to Make This Model
Step by Step: Train Station Construction Details
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Step 7
Step 8
Step 9
Step 10
Step 11
Submodel: The Train Station Roof
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Substitution: When Other Parts Will Do
Substitute Walls
Substitute Arches
Substitute Windows
Substitute Roofs
Review: Building Techniques and Alternatives
4. Miniland Scale: The Whole World in Miniature
Miniland Scale: Bigger but Still Small
Creating a Basic Miniland Figure
The Best Bits: Useful Pieces for Miniland People
Basic Miniland Figure
Mix-and-Match Parts
Heads and Hats
Shirts and Skirts
Lots of Legs
Arms and Accessories
On The Run: Making Miniland Figures Come to Life
Miniland Buildings
Creating a Scene: Combining Figures and Buildings
Street Life: A Simple Downtown Scene in Miniland Scale
The People in Your Neighborhood
Building the Buildings
Behind the Scenes
Review: Miniland Scale, Big Possibilities
5. Jumbo Elements: Building Bigger Bricks
Scaling Up: How It’s Done
The Walls Are Closing In!
Other Parts, Same Technique
1x2 Plate—Instructions for the Jumbo Version
2x2 45-Degree Slope—Instructions for Jumbo Version
Building with Jumbo Bricks
Best Solutions from the Simplest Plans
Other Scales: What Scales Work, and Why
Picking the Right Scale
Approximation
Review: Jumbo Bricks Are Just the Start
6. Microscale Building: More Than Meets the Eye
Microscale: Small Scale with Big Possibilities
Getting Started: Ignore the Details
Translating Ideas into Bricks
Recap the Technique
How Do I Know What Scale I’m Using?
Decide on a scale before you begin building.
Figure out the scale after you’re done building.
Replacing Full-Size Parts with Microscale Stand-Ins
Microscale Wheels
Microscale Windows
Instructions for Microscale House
Recap of Replacement Parts
Review and Suggested Subject Matter
7. Sculptures: The Shape of Things to Build
Spheres: Round and Round They Go
Divide and Build: Two Sections Means Twice the Fun
Beyond Spheres: Sculpting Other Subjects
Choosing a Subject
Getting Started on the Sphinx
Analyzing the Angles: Building the Head
Special Features: Special Techniques
The Nose
The Ears
The Paws
The Headdress
Building the Foundation Last
Review: Sculptures—In the Eye of the Builder
8. Mosaics: Patterns and Pictures in Bricks
Two Types of Mosaics
What Can You Do with Mosaics?
How Big Should a Mosaic Be?
What You Need to Make a Mosaic
Designing a Studs-Out Mosaic
Geometric Patterns
Copies of Pictures
Print and Trace
Converting to Pixels Using a Computer
Designing a Studs-Up Mosaic
Design Grids for the Studs-Up Technique
Mosaics on Edge
Review: Mosaics of All Sizes and Shapes
9. Technic: Not as Technical as It May Seem
Technic: A System Within a System
Technic Pieces: An Overview
Bricks
Studless Beams
Gears
Pins/Axles
Bushings
Couplers
Getting Started with Technic: Assembly Notes
Gear Trains
Basics of Gear Ratios
Going Vertical
Technic Meets Basic Elements
Putting It All Together: Building a Technic Model
Review: What Is Technic?
10. Putting It All Together: Where Ideas Meet Bricks
Thinking Like a Model Designer
Limit Your Scope
Getting Started: Pick Your Subject
Work from the Bottom Up
Let Reality Guide Your Design Decisions
A Different Perspective
Pick a Scale, Any Scale
Color Concerns
Elements of Design
Shape
Color
Proportion
Repetition
Bringing It All Together: The Final Design
Step by Step: Shuttle Construction Details
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Step 7
Step 8
Step 9
Something’s Wrong: Redesigning Doesn’t Mean You’ve Failed
After You’re Done
Review: Taking On the Role of Model Designer
11. Beyond Just Bricks: Other Things to Do Besides Building
“I Give It a Nine Out of Ten”: Writing Reviews of LEGO Sets
A Simple Review
Basic Set Review Form
Sample Review
Sharing Your Review
How It’s Made: Creating Instructions for Your LEGO Models
Step-by-Step Pictures
Computer-Assisted Instructions
Having Fun: Making and Playing Games with LEGO Pieces
Games You Already Know
Original Games
An Example of an Original Game: Connect-Across (Basic Rules)
Setting Up
How Is It Played?
Playing the Game
Winning the Game
Designing Your Own Game
Review: Enjoying Every Aspect of LEGO
12. Sorting, Storage, and Sitting Down to Build Something
Sorting vs. Storing: What’s the Difference?
Sorting Bricks: Divide and Conquer
Small-Sized Collections
Medium-Sized Collections
Large-Sized Collections
Storing Bricks
Start Small, Keep It Simple
Containers with Compartments
Shoeboxes: Not Just for Shoes Anymore
Keeping Track of the Little Pieces: Tackle Boxes to the Rescue
Reuse Containers You May Already Have: Tubs and Buckets
Deep Storage: Taking Care of Larger Quantities
Setting Up a Building Area
Review: Unique Solutions for Every Builder
13. Making and Using Tools for LEGO Projects
Presser Tool
The Ruler
Pin Stand Tool
Brick Separator
Non-LEGO Tools
Other Useful Items
Review: The Right Tools for the Job
A. Brickopedia
Brickopedia Breakdown
Review: Bricks, Plates, and So Much More
B. Design Grids: Building Better by Planning Ahead
Downloading the Grids
About the Grids
Design Grid #1
Design Grid #2
Design Grid #3
Design Grid #4
Using the Grids Effectively
Same Model, Different Views
Sketching or Planning
Colorize Your Ideas
Description and Date for Future Reference
Drawing on Grid #1
Drawing on Grid #2
Drawing on Grid #3
Drawing on Grid #4
Review: From Grids to Bricks
C. Companion Website
D. Updates
Index
Colophon
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What the LEGO Community is Saying about the Unofficial LEGO Builder’s Guide
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Acknowledgments
Preface
Creativity is just having enough dots to connect
.
—
Steve
Jobs
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