LEGO Factory???

Dragon Master · Post by **Dragon Master** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 1:51 am

Hello All,

I have this burning question that I couldn't wait to ask.

What is this LEGO factory thing that I heard mentioned in the Jake II Transcript?

Does anyone have any info or clues.

It seems to me like its an LDRAW program and you buy all the parts from TLC.

I think this is a great idea. I could see my self using this a lot for roofs of castle houses and mocs, so I could have an unlimited supply of the different slopes...

J1A3L5 · Post by **J1A3L5** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 2:02 am

From what I understand:

The plan is to have it a sort of MLCad where you can create your creations in 3D, as with exisiting programs. Then you can give it to LEGO, and they'll create instructions and supply the pieces. I also remember something about being able to make the set and if your friend or someone enters the code for that creation, they can buy it too.

The question in my mind is, what would the selection of pieces be like? Would it just be the most common and basic pieces that no one really cares about much, or things you could actually make detailed, intricate creations with?

The Tennis Ball Kid · Post by **The Tennis Ball Kid** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 2:45 am

Hi,
Dragon Master wrote:

It seems to me like its an LDRAW program and you buy all the parts from TLC.

Indeed, LEGO digital designer lets you create something with bricks available at PABs, print out an inventory, and get the parts from a LEGO store.

I assume (and that's the operative word here) that the goal is to eventually allow for a wider parts selection, and online ordering. Which could be really, really cool.

Emperor James · Post by **Emperor James** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 2:49 am

Well, it sounds neat, but I don't think it will be that useful for us. Unless, of course, you can include minifigs, which I extremely doubt. Hmmmmm... pitchforks...

J1A3L5 · Post by **J1A3L5** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 3:01 am

Emperor James wrote:Well, it sounds neat, but I don't think it will be that useful for us. Unless, of course, you can include minifigs, which I extremely doubt. Hmmmmm... pitchforks...

Indeed! Imagine...you could create a custom "Castle Wall" MOC...a big, fat grey wall of bricks, topped with rows upon rows of figures with accessories...or an armoury room...

Just Imagine...

Sir Terrance · Post by **Sir Terrance** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 3:08 am

Not so much the piece selection, but the colors of parts. Brown double convex slopes, dark red goblets, white lattice window panes...

~Chris Perron

footsteps · Post by **footsteps** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 6:13 pm

Sir Terrance wrote:Not so much the piece selection, but the colors of parts. Brown double convex slopes, dark red goblets, white lattice window panes...

~Chris Perron

STOP IT guys, I'm drooling on the keyboard here and its messy!

Alan

Loneranger · Post by **Loneranger** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 6:20 pm

Jake talked about this at Brickfest2004

but I don't think you can get that transcript

LR

lemon_squeezer2 · Post by **lemon_squeezer2** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 6:54 pm

That sounds awesome!

However, I wouldn't expect things like dark grey goblets or pitchforks. Something tells me that you would only get bricks that are in production.

How would they price it though? If it is by piece, where would they base their prices on? Bricklink?

One way or another, this sounds like one of the best ideas TLC has had in awhile. I am looking forward to this no matter what form it comes in...

jon_p · Post by **jon_p** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 7:42 pm

This would be a great idea and I'd like to design something and then get sent the parts. It would be like making your own set if you get sent instructions as well.

But.. as with all good things there are some dis-advantages.
Firstly, the part selection probably wouldn't be very big so you would be limited to what you build.
Secondly, there would be a limit to how many pieces you could use, again causing you to limit your creation.
And thirdly, it would probably be very expensive.

Yes, I know. I have to ruin your fun and all your great imaginations

.. but my points probably would be true.

Jon.

Sir Vincent · Post by **Sir Vincent** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 7:53 pm

It's all a scam to steal our LEGO designs and turn them into sets making a few minor changes of course...like they did to Daniel Siskind...

Commander Redbeard · Post by **Commander Redbeard** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 8:00 pm

Is this planned for 2005?

Post by **Bruce N H** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 9:33 pm

Sir Vincent wrote:It's all a scam to steal our LEGO designs and turn them into sets making a few minor changes of course...like they did to Daniel Siskind...

It's not "stealing" with the MOC line. I don't think that he's ever revealed how much they paid him, but they contracted with him to use his design. Also with James Mathis for the Santa Fe train cars.

For a possible instance of "stealing", talk to Bruce Lowell about his B'Omaar Monk droid:
http://bruce.kus-numa.net/lego/starwars/bomarrmonk.html
It is unclear whether they came up with the design used in the Jabba's Palace set, but they did not consult with Bruce before the set came out. I don't know if he ever got a complete answer from them on that. OTOH, the LEGOLAND CA designers did consult with Bruce and get his permission to use his sphere design in a miniland scene:
http://bruce.kus-numa.net/lego/miscella ... ere68.html

Bruce (the other one) (okay, not Schlickbernd either)

Post by **Robin Hood** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 1:48 am

This is a very interesting and appealing idea, however, another draw back would be that the colours would most likely be in the new versions. Yuck!

Dan

Emperor James · Post by **Emperor James** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 1:51 am

Again, I don't think it will be that useful. I am certain that you will only be able to use regular bricks, in which case buying bulk bricks would no doubt be cheaper. Although, admittedly if you can use a wider palette, it might indeed be useful for rare pieces.