Do you like studs hidden or showing?

[CP5670]

The stud lover badge is great. I like studs on Technic models too.

[Commander_Rob]

I guess `studs or not` is a decision that is different for whatever you build, it really always depends.

A sleek starfighter might look a lot better if it`s totally studless, but a car might look cool with studs showing (like that Jaguar). It certainly is possible to say that completely studless creations "don`t look like LEGO" but sometimes thats a good thing. My personal preference is mostly for studs showing. On the one hand because I think it looks good for most of the things I build and on the other hand, I don`t have enough tiles to smooth it all out.

Altogether, I`d say that studs define LEGO but that their absence can define it in new, interesting ways.

[MetroiD]

I enjoy studs, but I also feel that a studless design goes a long way towards refining the look of certain things. That said, I wouldn't go out of my way just to "tile up" a certain portion of a MOC - not to mention I don't own anywhere near enough tiles anyway. So I'd probably go for 60% tiles and 40% studs if I were building a MOC that could use both.

And while the "smooth" look can be achieved by using tiles OR using SNOT techniques, I must agree with Ralph_S here - things do tend to get confused way too often. In fact, I believe the major part of smoothening up is done via SNOTting, not tiling - for example, someone mentioned roads & water - those are prime examples for that (not ALWAYS, but pretty often).

At the end of the day, there's plenty of room for both in the LEGO world and as long as a MOC is creative & good, it doesn't really matter whether it's tiled or not, SNOTty or simple "bricks up" build.

[Peppermint_M]

Why do people go to such lengths to cover studs anyway? I understand tiled or SNOT roads, real roads are smooth (or we highways operatives do our best to ensure they are anyway) plus it can allow roadworks to look accurate. Tiled rooves I understand, they are tiled when not thatched. All the space craft and other things that seem to strive to be as smooth plastic as possible seem to be held up as a disireable standard. But they just look like whole moulded toys, not something you built. Sure, it's technicaly impressive but it doesn't look LEGO, which is the most important thing.

I have now realized that all my MOCs with tiles are the ones using printed or stickered designs and their symmetrical partner (I prefer symmetry unless it is fantastic a-symmetry) to add a little character to a MOC. Plus with Ralph's explanation I have realised SNOT and Studless are different things

[Oky]

While models with smooth surfaces sure look great, studs are just part of the Lego-ness of a Lego model, plus it gives minifigs something to stand on, so I like a good balance of both, like on the Fighter Tank.

Edited January 30, 2010 by Oky Wan Kenobi

[Ricecracker]

I go for accuracy in my MOCs, because I build MOCs of real-life vehicles/buildings. That means that I go for a smooth finish, most of the time. However, it doesn't mean that I use tiles. I usually use different SNOT techniques to achieve the angles/looks I'm going for, because I find I have a lot more creative freedom.

I also use studs for many details. Headlights and drawer handles utilize studs well, and the nozzles and air horns on my fire truck use studs too.

[MarcusV3]

Just like pretty much everyone else I like a mix of both but if I had to choose I'd say studded, I'm constantly setting minifigs up in various places and I like when I have a stable place to put them. For example the modular series (though beautiful) just annoys me whenever I'm trying to display it. If anyone bumps the table a little minifigure earthquake occurs usually making an awful domino effect

[Siegfried]

The stud lover badge is great. I like studs on Technic models too.

Thanks! I felt inspired by this topic and I made it yesterday.

[SharkMan]

Well I dont really care as long as it looks cool :P

[YG-49]

Hmm.... Studs. They look so unnatural you have to love them! Especially helpful when posing minifigs. How many times have you seen this:

achieved with tiles?

[RileyC]

Mesa stud lover! It makes the moc seem less like real life and they can add texture to things.

[Clone OPatra]

I've got to go with stud-loving. Sure, there are some spaceships and buildings and such that people build that are all smooth, but I prefer LEGO set-like models.

And, many of those LEGO artists out there (like Sean Kenney and Nathan Sawaya) have got studs everywhere, but their work is still completely stunning!

I also agree with the playability thing, how are minifigs supposed to walk on a tiled floor, or sit on a flat couch without falling off when you bump it?

For set-up shots, sure, studless is nice, but for actual models and constructions studs are the best.

[Rick]

Especially helpful when posing minifigs.

That's one of the best reason for having studs and may be one of the downsides to the sidewalk of the modular buildings. They could have gone with the solution they use in the catalogs, which is one row of bricks followed by a row of tiles parallel to the road. But I guess you won't be able to make it so realistic as they are now, or make those nice patterns in the sidewalks.

Now, was there some photoshopping involved in making that classic spaceman all purple?

[Legostein]

Hello!

Of course tiles are a great invention. I wouldn't like to build without them, and I don't hesitate using them when it benefits to the design. Especially when building st small scale it can happen that some models come out completely studless, also due to the use of many small slopes which don't have studs either. On the other hand, some greebly-rich designs require the studs, and can't be build without them.

If we regard the stud in a bigger context, the stud is what makes our favourite construction toy different from many other smooth building and collecting toys. Unfortunately there appear more and more new big and curved/smooth pieces every year. Not only do they decrease the creativity, but I also fear that one day there will only be a few curved elements to be put together in order to build up a set. But I want original Lego®. I want the stud.

So, I'd say, don't fear the stud. Give it a chance. There are many examples of where studs improve the design. Think of all the newer exclusive sets with the new house facades where the stud is part of the ornaments for example.

Build with a smile err stud.

Cheers,

~ Christopher

Edited January 31, 2010 by Legostein

[Peppermint_M]

Hmm.... Studs. They look so unnatural you have to love them! Especially helpful when posing minifigs. How many times have you seen this:

achieved with tiles?

Wow. See, that is Lego distilled into one image. Studs and all.

[JimBee]

I like tiles more, I think. They are not very traditional of Lego, but I find them aesthetically pleasing. One of my favorite uses of tiles is in Dooku's Solar Sailer, which has hardly any studs showing.

However, I do enjoy using studs for texture for things like plain floors and walls.

[ZO6]

Studs are what define LEGO! Why would I want to hide them? I display my studs with pride!

On a side note related to studs, I'm not a fan of the classic wedge plates (linky) being replaced by those new technic panels on many sets (clicky).

Also, as others have said, long live studs in the technic theme!

edit - continuing a rant... - Not only do studs showing say "Hey, look at me, I'm LEGO!", but for every stud showing there is another opportunity to create, build, expand. Whenever I'm building a moc, and there are still studs available, I can't help but look at what parts I have left to work with and say "Hmm, I wonder what I would add...?" Covering a model in tiles just seems to bring an end to a build in my opinion. Sure tile work can look fantastic, but I'm often just as satisfied with that studded look and knowing I can expand at any moment. I guess a big part of it comes down to me being a person that likes to fiddle around with sets, re-arrange pieces, position mini-figs constantly and whatnot as opposed to 'tile-up' a model to look nice and put it on display.

Edited January 31, 2010 by ZO6

[SuvieD]

Studs out, little to no tiles.

I am becoming too old and set in my likes to appreciate the studless building style. I remember fondly the old sets of the 80's and 90's when you got more than a brick or two in each set.

[brickme]

I for one perfer studs showing for the following reasons

1) Lego is designed to have at least some studs showing in fact I think every system moc has at least 2 studs showing somewhere somehow.

2) Most lego tiles are scratched to bits and I hate how the look in a moc or set with all those scratches. It just brings out my OCD

3) You can put stuff on top of studs such as minifigs and other bricks other than just having the top studless

4) Minifigs do not stand well on top of studless surfaces. (I know from expierience) Anyway with studs up you can stick a fig there and not worry about it falling down

5) Studs showing is also a sign of creativity in my opinion. If you can find ways studless you can always find a better way with studs showing.

All in All I perfer studs showing rather than something you put into a tissue studs not showing.

[Svelte]

There also comes the point when using tiles becomes aesthetically jarring and stand out rather than blend in. I find the front of the Freeco speeder like this - the 2x4 stickers square tiles ruin the curved lines of the rest of the front of the craft. I think even the new Valentines promo would look better without the tiles at the top as they add too much height and ruin the curve:

[blueandwhite]

Studs out, little to no tiles.

I am becoming too old and set in my likes to appreciate the studless building style. I remember fondly the old sets of the 80's and 90's when you got more than a brick or two in each set.

In fairness, many of today's sets are quite brick-intensive when compared to the late 90s and early 2000s. It was actually the move towards giant prefab parts in the mid to late 90s that killed the LEGO hobby for me.

[Rick]

I think even the new Valentines promo would look better without the tiles at the top as they add too much height and ruin the curve:

Right, the studs would more or less follow the curve. Maybe this would look even better on top:

[Big Cam]

OK, after reading some more responses, I get the idea of this question. I answered before that it depends on what you build, and that's still true. For things like flooring or roofing, it's open for me, I like studs and smooth floors. But for soemthign like a Star Wars ship, I like the stud on the outside, it shows that it's LEGO, I think the studs are LEGO, if you dompletely cover them up, then it's like you are trying to build something besides LEGO.

So with that said, I do like studs on the outside of large objects, tiling is a great technique and when used properly it really looks good, especially when you actually want to represent tile. But for the most part, you have to have SOME studs, or elseyou'll get too far away from the look of LEGO. so Studs it is, with the occasionl tiled floor, or roof.

[Modulex Guy]

I think it all depends on your personal preference and what you are building. I personally like to mix up both, showing studs on some MOCs and hiding studs on others. A town building or terrain can have all the studs out because it has a LEGOness look and feel to it. I build most of my town stuff with studs showing because its LEGO.

But I do like those MOCs that are just smooth. I'm building now a... (MOC confidential until finished) ...that will be mostly studless, I want to show off curves and the lines of the MOC to make it look realistic, but It will not be completely studdless, some will be here and there where you can still tell its LEGO, plus they add to the MOC.

[L-space]

Personally I am not afraid to show my studs.

I only tile when it adds something extra to the MOC. I have used tiling mostly as roofliner or on steps because that is when it really stands out.

Inside buildings I keep the studs exposed. It helps setting minifigs and it shows I'm using LEGO. It is something I'm used of seeing since I was four and that probably won't change.