Do you like studs hidden or showing?

[Eskallon]

I like studs showing but in places it should be tiled. The studs create a lego feel but tiles make it more smooth. Overall my choice would be mostly studs though. I am not saying I hate MOCS tiled though as they are still great and give a smooth look.

[Big Cam]

My thoughts on this is that I always have the impression that creations having visible studs are more playable and studless ones more for display purposes.

Perhaps I'm influenced from the past LEGO years. The thing is that when I first saw pictures from the new blue plane, I really liked that the wings were "covered" with studs.

So, I would say 80% studs and 20% studless sections in a creation/set is my choice.

The verdict? I want studs to show themselves!

Wow, you summed it up perfectly.

[Captain Green Hair]

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:

Where did you get that? I want one!

[Dennimator]

Where did you get that? I want one!

Linky.

[Captain Green Hair]

Linky.

And i couldn't frikkin find it in there.....

Ordered, thanks a lot bud!

[Luke McAwesome]

I prefer studs, while I like my MOCs to be realistic, I still like to keep in mind that it's just LEGO.

Such as other people have said, studs look great on grass. Grass is really never even enough to be flat and smooth, so studs make it look rugged enough which gives it the essence of real grass. Studs are just giant clumps of grass.

One reason I like stud sover tiles is that I don't have very many tiles. But some MOCs, such as spaceships, look better evened out with tiles, because it gives them that sleek futuristic look.

So, while I do prefer studs, I'm still torn between the two. I guess it really depends on what kind of MOC you're building.

[Dennimator]

And i couldn't frikkin find it in there.....

Ordered, thanks a lot bud!

No problem.

[Captain Blackmoor]

I defenitely agree with the fact the tiles on the heart ruin the curved shapes. I only use tiling for smooth surfaces like wooden floors in a house. In the heart I would go for studs for sure.

The decks of my ships will be studded, only the small things will be tiled. Minifigs have to stand somewhere...

[Ronan Dragonov]

I usually go studless. Before I began buying the modular buildings sets (Cafe Corner, etc.) I didn't have the tiles.

[Trexxen]

Studs out all the way!

I can see where it would make sense to cover the studs, such as on Atlantis-style MOCs (where preserving the smooth curves is important) or sleek futuristic models, but even then it somewhat detracts from the Lego aspect and turns it into something less...pure. I mean, don't get me wrong, tiles definitely have their place. However, I just like the more natural studded approach. Besides, I have an old house with old floors - if I put my minifigs on tiles, they'd never stay up when someone walked by! XD

~Trexxen

[Darth Hawken]

I go with studless most of the time. I believe it captures the sleekness of a MOC yet on some things such as landscape I use studs.

Another way I use studs is for footprints but then every thing else has to be covered with tiles

[CP5670]

The responses in this thread generally seem to be more in favor of showing studs, but it seems that people's opinions on this depend a lot on what themes or types of models they build. Out of curiosity I just took a look at the last 20 or so MOC threads posted in the sci-fi forum, and all but one are completely studless. I must be one of the few space builders who likes studs. In contrast, there is a more even split between studded (at least partially) and studless models in the city and Technic forums from what I've seen.

[MrTools]

Depends on where you use them and the size of the MOC i suppose. Like mentioned before studs when building grassy areas tiles for streets. I personally like studs showing, it gives MOCs texture.

[Raven Brickroft]

I like them studs out. gives it that old LEGO feel. The brickiness. The studliness. I don't condone SNOT lovers, but I just like studs out.

[Perterz]

I actually prefer a well balanced mix of both.

I just love that shiny smooth tile finish but some texture or rough surfaces/effects look really good and recognizable/comfortable with stud finish.

It just depends on a couple things I guess, like always.

[JayDuck]

Like many others, I like to see some studs showing. I can appreciate studless builds, but I like to be able to see the Lego-ness of my creations.

[Siegfried]

Out of curiosity I just took a look at the last 20 or so MOC threads posted in the sci-fi forum, and all but one are completely studless. I must be one of the few space builders who likes studs.

I know. Why people think thing need to be sleek and smooth in space is quite beyond me...

[Shadows]

I know. Why people think thing need to be sleek and smooth in space is quite beyond me...

We wouldn't want things burning off on reentry...

[Siegfried]

We wouldn't want things burning off on reentry...

I also don't think the average space ship should even be capable of re-entry. Especially fighters.... but I'm digressing again.

[badboytje88]

I know. Why people think thing need to be sleek and smooth in space is quite beyond me...

Plus building a completely studles spaceship is really hard!

[Legostein]

Hello!

Of the many creations I posted in the space forums, I think all of them show studs, although being mini models.

But let me go a step further. A very popular shape for space and also efficient for a re-entry in an atmosphere is a spehrical or round body. I gathered all headlight and modified 1x1 bricks I had left over to create the following design study for you.

Now you can decide for yourself which of the circles looks more round. That's what I meant in my earlier post. The stud contributes to the shape. It's the stud that makes the right circle more rounded.

--------------------

Here are two more example where we need the stud in space.

The Aries IB Lunar Lander from 2001 - A Space Odyssey needs the stud on the outside to make it spherical.

The Rebel Assault Frigate from the Thrawn Trilogy needs the stud in the inside of the ship to realize the open shell structure with the greebly interior.

--------------------

Using the studs does not only make us smile. The stud smiles back to us.

tiles only

tiles & studs

See you around!

~ Yours Chris.

Edited February 6, 2010 by Legostein

[Zorbas]

Great post Legostein!

You've made some excellent points there. Studs DO contribute in smoothness after all, especially after seeing the first picture.

Using the studs does not only make us smile. The stud smiles back to us.

tiles only

tiles & studs

That made my day!

[Bob]

I'd say I use both, but I tend to lean towards studs showing.

Could it be design, could it be that's how I like it? Well, yes, that and the fact that my tile selection is very low.

[Admiral Croissant]

On the decks of my ship I definetely prefer studs. In big storms it's always very useful to have them so you don't slip and fall into the water In the cabin it's also useful because it makes it very easy to move furniture and minifigs.

Studs for me! (and on some parts -only a few- I like tiles more, but really on very few places)

[CP5670]

Hello!

Of the many creations I posted in the space forums, I think all of them show studs, although being mini models.

Yeah, the single model I did see over there with studs was one of your microscale creations. And those are some very nice constructions showing the benefits of studs.