MOCing for beginners

[Faefrost]

As far as getting larger amounts of bricks in specific colors. Keep an eye peeled for clearence sets. As a current example, some Walmarts still have some Pharoahs Quest sets that they have been blowing out at insanely low prices. Those have a ton of the colors you are asking about. Also keep an eye on Aliens Conquest for blues. While you could probably build a really really nice modular MOC from the Medieval Market Village alone, it is almost a shame to do so, as that set is on par with the Modulars. But it would have a ton of your colors, as would the Mill Village Attack. As far as light and darl blue grey. Star Wars sets. Although granted they tend to be far more plates than bricks.

As far as MOC's, start small, but still keep it within the Modular footprint. Maybe a small fenced or walled park with a fountain next to the town hall? Something that you can add a lot do detail to, using some fairly common colors, but aren't yet building upwards for 2 or 3 stories. That would let you play with not just a place, but also a scene, and not require as large a brick library.

[LEGO Historian]

I'm a builder of classically inspired structures... and I'll give everyone a little secret for getting some pretty neat ideas for classical architecture... GOOGLE "Andras Kaldor"... the Hungarian born architectural illustrator... just the images under his name heading alone is mind boggling... and he keeps his images rather simple, so that translating buildings into LEGO is rather easy. (It's getting enough parts that's not so easy....)

[AncientDayz]

I would like to expand my street (6 1/2 modulars right now), and I am slowly working on a theater (and I mean slowly). So, as I struggle with this, I was curious: what tips would you veterans give a new custom builder like myself? Even more specifically, should I continue with LDD, or should I grab a lot of loose bricks and design by hand? In addition, what is the best way for a new customizer to acquire bricks for custom builds - buy them with LDD lists, buy quite a few big sets, search for random bulk lots, etc. (while I have roughly 20,000 bricks right now, I don't want to break those sets yet)? What other tips would you give?

Thanks in advance (I really enjoy learning from you all).

[PS - I am surprised that a topic like this wouldn't be open. If I just demonstrated my rookie status by not using the right search terms while looking for an older, similar topic, I really apologize, and please feel free to move/delete the thread and direct me elsewhere. THANKS.]

[Brickdoctor]

It depends on which you're comfortable with. If you're more comfortable designing in LDD, start from there. Be careful, though, because LDD offers a variety of ways such as weak connections, 'scafolding', and 'floating' pieces by which you can unknowingly create a model that defies physics. (when I build in LDD, as I delete pieces and redo certain sections, I sometimes find that I've created something that actually isn't connected together and is too weak to exist in real life) Me, I think that nothing can replace tinkering with physical bricks in your hands. (and spread out around you on the floor ) However, that could be because I'd been building for years before LDD was first released. Additionally, bricks in LDD are unlimited, so if you don't have a lot of pieces that you are willing to build with, you could work in LDD until you feel that you've created something you like enough to recreate with physical bricks.

[robuko]

I think you are most likely to find useful bricks in the big sets. A good way to get a lot of bricks is to buy Creator sets second hand, they tend to be cheap price per brick, as are the bigger non-licensed sets. Right now, the Hogwarts Diagon Alley set sounds ideal for your needs, and you can sell off the minifigs to cut the brick cost further. Good luck and I look forward to the results!

[streifen]

For quantities of bricks, Creator sets are the best to get. I think, short of going to Bricklink, Creator sets will have plenty of same-colour bricks that you can use. for example, the Log cabin has plenty of reddish-brown bricks.

Diagon Alley is good in that it has numerous parts for detailing of your custom-builds.

[Rufus]

I think this thread would be better in LEGO General. Moving...

[Fugazi]

I have merged this and a few other similar topics to create a reference thread.

[Basculho]

hi guys, i'm new here, just discovered this forum and the community seems really amazing, i'm hoping to stay here :)

A brief introduction to my problem- I just came back from a lego exposition and i, sudenly, wanted to build a lego construction with my little brother, so that we can have a great time together and we both love lego.

But i wanted to build a castle, a custom one, without the aid of sets, so i could make my own. But, how should i gear up?

I have some spare parts here at my home but they are not much

I wanted a grey tone to the castle and today, after surching for an hour or so, i found out i'm severely lacking in grey lego pieces ;(

How should i go with this. I can't get sets because they are too damn expensive here in Portugal. It's horrible.

Should i order a huge collection of pieces per kg or what? I'm lost lol

Seeking help from you lego lovers! :D

Edited February 4, 2013 by Fugazi
edited title

[beeernpizza]

I would start by looking at Bricklink it's a world wide market place to buy bricks

[Basculho]

I would start by looking at Bricklink it's a world wide market place to buy bricks

That shop is huge! I don't even know where to start, i never did a custom construction in my life so i don't even know what bricks and parts to get ;(

[Xyver]

Basculho,

I would suggest browsing through the Historic Themes section and take a look at some of the magnificent work others have done. Take a good look at some of the castles and decide what shape you want, then look at how others have built something similar and work out what pieces they have used.

There are also some very useful building guides, start with this one by Derfel Cadarn, that man is a genious.

[Kai NRG]

Just start looking around at some other castles people have built, say on Flickr or Brickshelf, then you'll get a pretty good idea of what pieces you need (depending on the type of castle). I'd suggest you start building before you order anything since then you'll get an even better idea of what pieces you have. It might be a good idea just to start out with a very small castle (say 16x16 or less) so you don't get overwhelmed with how long it could take. If you don't want to wait for your order or you want to be sure exactly how to build it first so you don't spend more than you need too, you might be able to build it multicolor at first and then gradually substitute pieces. Plus, there's no need to waste grey pieces in places they won't be seen anyways. If you're building an interior that might make it tougher, but if you have a brick that's won't be visible from any angle (or from the display/angle at which you're going to photograph it, supposing you are going to photograph it!) use some color you're fairly certain you won't need anywhere else.

[eurotrash]

You might be in luck though with this time of year. January is typically the time for deep discounts to appear on Lego Sets and you may be able to pick up a bargain (or two or three). I agree with the other commenters about BrickLink. It is the best for specific pieces, but I learned a lot of techniques from the Sets that I then used in my MOCs.

I'd also suggest looking at Pirates Forum here as there's some great creations on show there.

Fingers crossed that you can grab some bargains! And don't forget to share your work here with us....

[Basculho]

Thanks for all the help guys, and i think i'll start looking at mocpages for inspiration.

Shame i'll have to make a low scale castle because i'm not allowed to order parts from the internet and the prices are really expensive in my country, and the only thing they sell here are lego sets (EXPENSIVE!! :P)

Anyways, i'll give it my best shot, and thanks again!

[Creatorman]

Hi guys, for a while I was wondering how to get into MOCing, and looking at this website definitely helped to get me motivated. So my question to you guys is, how do you get started with MOCing, the creative process, collecting parts and sorting them? And thanks in advance.

[Gnac]

As soon as you build something new, you've created a MoC, by definition.

The process doesn't even require planning - a MoC can eventually "happen" by pouring all your bricks into a pile and finding interesting ways to put them together. For me, when I am doing this, I imagine the shapes that I am making to be part of a larger construction, and it certainly helps to have a good selection of shapes when experimenting.

If you have a particular goal / theme for building, it will help to buy some affordable sets which fit with your ideas. I prefer to build realistic 8 stud wide vehicles, so I find that the CREATOR theme provides plenty of inspiration, AND useful parts.

EDIT: WAH, I nearly forgot. LEGO Digitial Designer offers an alternative method of designing models - Eurobricks even has a friendly subforum for discussion of this and other CAD LEGO applications. There are also resources such as LDD Manager and Brickstore, to help you buy the bricks you need to make a virtual creation a reality.

Edited January 19, 2014 by Gnac

[Minoton]

Hi! i´m a little newbie to MOCing too (ok, i been here for contest, and made some moc vignettes, just for fun, but no the quantity i want, i´m a little lazy XD)

That´s my history, hope it help you.

I have been out of Lego world a lot of years, but a few years ago, my nephews get some lego sets, and i started to searching lego things on the web, i found this site, and a lot of pics of mocs and vignettes. I search my old lego pieces, but a lot of of them are lost...and others are too dirty/used, and i barely make anything. So i buy a lot of pieces of used lego on ebay...not happy with the result, some interesting and new bricks, but i dont have 4 sames wheels for example XD. So i star to buy lego sets, 3 on 1 creator sets, some buckets....now i buy some cheap sets only for the bricks and the minis 8also a star to buy a lot of minifigs series XD), and some times i buy in lego store pick a brick,and when i need a specific brick or specific colour i buy it in bricklink (no problems so far, only some yellowish light gray pieces....when i buy used -more cheap- bricks).

that´s my bricks sources, i put them in boxes and bags, sorting by some types (round plantes and curved slopes in one...wheels in other...) but sorting them is a lot personal thing imo. but is nice to have the bricks in order, not a lot of them and finde the brick you want in a pile (you can spent more time finding the piece than bulding your moc!!!).

the creative process, its very personal too, last month i couple of friends get marriage, she likes archery, so i make a little vignette on a green plate, put some flowers, and some light/dark tiles , here and there, put my bride minfig with a bow, and a dude with tuxedo running from her... Sometimes i entered the contest here and build something for it, even if i dont like the theme, or a dont got the bricks/minifigs, just for fun and for challenge myself to do it ( sometimes I can´t think any think i can do/like, buts thats the live), and when i have some time i search mocs and vignettes on the web looking for new technics,inspiration...

I think, mocing,at last for me, is a hobby, just for fun, and make my friends smile with my "lego things" (i have 36 years old...) can be very expensive (if you want to make very big mocs - i feel conform in 8x8 vignettes-) or frustrating if you want to make something Astonishing/innovation/wow!!! creation.

My advice is make the things you want, get fun and find a cofortable theme for you ( not theme as city,chima....theme as: cars, planes,houses.....) and if you can´t finish one moc, or get whitout any ideas to make it, leave it in some box, and make other things, someday you will have an idea, see something on internet, and boom! you finish tht project!!!

Hope i was usefull to you. Have fun and happy buildings!

[KringlesBricks]

I usually draw out an idea on paper...then take that drawing and try to recreate in bricks or if I do not have the bricks, I draft it up in LDD. The train station I am still working on, I build it in "sections". When I say sections, it's either a side of the building, or roof, or patio (explains why my train station has so many different details because I work on different sections at a time)

So, my process is...

Draw on paper of what I want to accomplish idea wise, then take that drawing to either my physical bricks or Digital Designer to see if it's feasible in bricks. Then when I am happy with what I come up with, I check my brick inventory to see if I have those bricks or visit the pick a brick wall or bricklink.

It's also a good idea to keep or find or buy extra sets where you think you'll want to use those pieces in a custom building.

[kinggregus]

Hi Creatorman (cool username btw),

I have to admit that I could get into serious Mocing only once I had sorted out my collection. I do not think it is fun to MOC without being able to find your pieces. It took me a couple months to sort all my pieces but it was really worth it.

I am among the people that prefer the feel of a brick rather than using a digital program. If you feel that you are lacking pieces to build what you would like, I would advise you to buy some bulk lots through ebay or buy pieces on the pick-a-brick wall in a Lego shop.

In order to improve the design of your MOC, I would advise you to look regularly for the MOC of others as they can help you gain some inspirations. Additionally, there are plenty of resources available to help you improve your techniques.

Good Luck!

[Lord Vladivus]

I've pretty much MOCed since I was small. I never used to keep my sets together, I used to end up breaking them apart and building new things. I hit my "dark age", but dabbled with the odd set. Eventually I got around to rebuilding all my sets, and then selling them as whole sets (I missed the whole Bricklink thing, so I sold some really cool sets that are actually worth a fair bit, but a kid bought pretty much the whole lot, which was awesome, I hope he has the same enjoyment out of them). Anyway, I digress. Once I'd sold them, I realised how much I missed Lego, so I got back into by buying loads of Star Wars sets. Eventually I found this site, and I lurked for ages. Once I discovered the GoH sub forum, I joined, and I've been building castle MOCs ever since. It's really inspired me to further my building skills.

Nowadays the support community for Lego is great, we have things like the Eurobricks community, the Bricklink marketplace, and it all encourages my MOCing.

[PMJ]

So I finally got around to organizing my loose bricks (By color, in bins) and now that everything is at my fingertips, I of course would like to mess it all up and build something cool.

The problem is, I don't build much. I've made some small, decent things, but I've never really made a "serious" MOC.

So what should I do? Do I draw up a concept of some sort? Where do I begin?

[MrHerofan]

While not LEGO when I make something in Minecraft and I have a really cool idea for it I tend to draw with pen and paper roughly what I want what I'm building to look like. So I'd assume that if you have some really cool design in mind then you could draw a sketch that way when you are building you know what you are trying to achieve better. It might make the whole process quicker.

[AmperZand]

The problem is, I don't build much. I've made some small, decent things, but I've never really made a "serious" MOC.

A MOC doesn't have to be big to be "serious". Some of the most creative MOCs are actually quite small.

Before you start building, develop a rough idea of what you intend to build and how big. Then have a look at source material such as images of the type of building/vehicle if it's real world or stills from movies/TV if not. Google Images is your friend. Then decide on any special features, parts or construction techniques you wish to include. After that, amass the pieces you think you'll need but don't get hung up on preparing all your bricks in advance. A lot of MOCing involves trial and error and it's almost inevitable that you won't have all the bricks you'll need at the start. BrickLink is the best way of getting the additional pieces you require. Try to find BrickLink stores with large inventories and don't hesitate to get extra parts that you may not wind up using; there's a good chance they'll come in handy later in the build or for future MOCs.

Some people design their MOCs using CAD such as LDD and get all the parts ready before they start building, but I'm old school and prefer to create as I go.

Edited June 14, 2016 by AmperZand

[murphy_slaw]

One technique I sometimes use to get started is to take an unusual piece from my collection and try to think of all the possible uses for it, obvious and otherwise. I'll build a couple of small assemblies with it and see if anything seems worth developing further. There are a lot of dead ends, but it's fun to fiddle around. If you're having trouble coming up with uses, you can also look up the part on BrickLink and see all the various ways it was used in official sets.