Presenting models in an "exploded" view

[nerdsforprez]

Hey Everyone – Not sure this deserves its own thread but, but because this is a generalized post just exemplified by @T Lego's LaFerrari build I guess it is applicable to create its own thread.  Obviously one can display any modular build in this way.  2D of course, 3D would be more difficult. 

Anyways, I like to display my Technic models in unique ways.  I really think it adds a sense of dimensional value to displaying sets.  I have neighbors, kids, friends, etc. come over all the time and it is fun to show-off Technic builds in a more “hands-on” way. 

With modular sets/MOCs one can display in an “exploded” view, where you can see the individual components of a build.  I like cross-section views, and have done this before with several builds but the problem of cross-section views is although one can see certain functions you are limited in demonstrating those functions because the models really can’t be taken apart. 

In an exploded view, at least how I demonstrate  it in this video, one can take each module and show its functions, how it fits with the rest of the model, etc. in an easy fashion.  I can assemble the entire model, anytime I want, then take it apart as well and have somewhere to display the different modules.  @T Lego's LaFerrari is a perfect set for this! See the video for details and how I did it.   The spacing may seem  a little off, but that is due to lens distortion.  Unfortunately the wall display is in a tight space in my Lego room (I am running out of space) and therefore I had to use a large lens to capture all of it. 

 

[Maaboo the Witch]

Interesting! Akiyuki did something similar a few years back with 42070 stripped of its exterior bodywork.

[nerdsforprez]

1 hour ago, Maaboo the Witch said:

Interesting! Akiyuki did something similar a few years back with 42070 stripped of its exterior bodywork.

Oh cool - I will have to take a look at it.  I have not seen it.  

[ninoguba]

Did this before on my F1 Race Car build for the Mindstorms Robot Inventor

[Maaboo the Witch]

3 hours ago, nerdsforprez said:

Oh cool - I will have to take a look at it.  I have not seen it.  

Sadly, it was a feature on the Technic site and hasn't been backed up anywhere else.

Edited September 9, 2023 by Maaboo the Witch

[pow]

@nerdsforprez would you call yourself brick-addicted?  

...That is real dedication and it looks fantastic! You could add some light from above so the car really shines.

[brunojj1]

@nerdsforprez Cool idea in terms of a creative way to display and to save space in your room ! You´ve created the "perfect illusion" that the modules can be reassembled within 5 minutes . Though I must say the LaFerrari is a great piece of art on its own which in my eyes is kinda being destroyed by ripping it into pieces ... So make sure you have the real deal standing once more somewhere else in one piece ! I´m running out of space too in my basement, so maybe I should start to pin cars onto the wall, lined up on a track or just in various angles. My original P1 is modular and suitable for the exploded view as well. Thank you for the inspiration!

[nerdsforprez]

18 hours ago, pow said:

yourself brick-addicted?

Aren't we all??  

 

10 hours ago, brunojj1 said:

You´ve created the "perfect illusion" that the modules can be reassembled within 5 minutes . 

Ain't that the truth.  Yea, 100%.  I love the modular building, but by now stretch of the imagination is it a quick and easy process.  Still, viewers can still see how the gearbox fits with the module behind it, folks can see how the axles align, etc.... Its not like it happens a lot, but occasionally folks do come over and my wife, to my chagrin, says something to the tune of "have you seen *****'s Lego room?"  WHen showing things off.... it is fun to show each module of a build like this.   

10 hours ago, brunojj1 said:

Though I must say the LaFerrari is a great piece of art on its own which in my eyes is kinda being destroyed by ripping it into pieces ...

Yea, I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  I remember as far back as I can remember, when I was a kid, seeing pictures, models, etc. in museums, etc. of machines in a cross-sectional or exploded view and thinking "that is real beauty right there."  I didn't even have words for it then, but I was mesmerized  by such displays.  

Also, I have quite a few displayed models in my Lego room but I try to come up with innovative  ways to display them all.  Cross-section, exploded, on stands, not on stands.  The variety almost adds a museum-like quality to the room (kinda theatrical descriptor, but I think it gets the sentiment across).  I, by no means, am not into "shelf-queens" and I love building more than anything else, but it is fun for me to build surrounded by what I feel is some pretty cool stuff.  Btw... I have your P1, fully intact, in my room in a custom table I built....

  

19 hours ago, pow said:

You could add some light from above so the car really shines.

Great idea but already did!  Its in around minute 1:36 in the video.....

[pow]

47 minutes ago, nerdsforprez said:

Great idea but already did!  Its in around minute 1:36 in the video.....

Oh i see. I thought it was some kind of tool that you forgot to take off. Something like a spirit level.

[LegoHoops]

Like @nerdsforprez wanting to expose a build, I have had a slow burn Mclaren 720S half exposed (Cut-Away) build on the go for the last 18 months. After building @Charbel’s 720S, a lot of the real details were hidden by the body. Built a full black chassis, but I think this is one situation when tasteful “Lego Vomit” needs to be added to just to highlight certain mechanical details. 



The plan will be to eventually colour the shifter/gear shaft/etc. in yellow for example. Rear wing mechanism in Lime?……. And then display the two 720S cars side by side.

Edited September 10, 2023 by LegoHoops

[grum64]

I think this is a great and really interesting way to show a model.

I tried something similar myself once... 

Edited September 12, 2023 by grum64

[Thirdwigg]

I usually display my builds all together, but Studio renders are one of my favorite ways to show the exploded view. It allows for some great renders to show how modules can be put together.

[nerdsforprez]

4 hours ago, Thirdwigg said:

I usually display my builds all together, but Studio renders are one of my favorite ways to show the exploded view. It allows for some great renders to show how modules can be put together.

 

Yea... mine was really only a 2D "exploded" view from wall.  I really like the vertical presentation as well, or one that adds another dimension.  Presenting in real Lego would be difficult though.   Don't know how to do it unless you used transclear liftarms or other elements, which, from a distance wouldn't really even be noticeable.  

 

[Thirdwigg]

19 hours ago, nerdsforprez said:

Yea... mine was really only a 2D "exploded" view from wall.  I really like the vertical presentation as well, or one that adds another dimension.  Presenting in real Lego would be difficult though.   Don't know how to do it unless you used transclear liftarms or other elements, which, from a distance wouldn't really even be noticeable.  

 

Yeah, I remember an older photo of a city scale car on Flickr where it was displayed this way; lots of trans clear panels and bars to lift certain parts of the car to see the internals. I'll see if i can find it.

[dhc6twinotter]

I really like building things in modules, and modular builds make it easier to do exploded views.  I did this on my Case Steiger that I built years ago.  That was my first MOC since my dark ages, and the modular aspect of it make it still one of my favorites.

[langko]

I personally think one of the coolest things (although admittedly very difficult) you can do in terms of "exploded view" is to have the entire bodywork as 1 removable piece. I have 2 models in my collection like that, which can have the bodywork easily detached from the chassis by pulling a few pins here and there. It looks very cool being able to see the complete bodywork and complete chassis side by side. You can admire both the aesthetic side and mechanical side at the same time.