Sunday, January 20, 2013

Week of Cuusoo

"News"

Thank you all for recognizing the awesome potential that Strider's Medusa's Temple project has.  It garnered nearly 325 support last week and came in #3 on the Leaderboard.  Here's hoping the publicity of the spot will usher it quickly to the the 1k milestone.  

Pick of the Week

BONSAI "Pine tree"
by Amkk

Support Level: 216

I fell in love with this the moment I saw it.  The build looks fantastic and I am sure it would make an excellent display piece.  This is just the kind of thing an AFOL would put on their work desk to send the message "Yeah, I play with Lego."

Sure, the part count, with all those plates,  is through the roof, but who really cares.  Support it if you like it and if Lego cuts it down (heh!) they will cut it down.  There is one factor in its favor though, it is my understanding that if the same parts are used a lot in the same build, that the part budget is a bit kinder, and this looks like a high part-count / low part-variety project that would fit that bill.

Beyond the aesthetics and the message it sends, I really love the concept too, it seems that Lego would be a great medium for duplicating the concept of pruning a Bansai Tree (without the burden of trying to keep one alive).  When you build it originally you just let it flow naturally.  Then from time to time you "trim" a bit off one branch and add to another.  Brilliant!

I do see two problems with the build.  One is that the thin branches would have a tendency to break off.  I choose to accept that as part of the charm and the challenge.  The more serious  problem I would expect would be dust though.  Instead of having a gardener's spray brush you would need to keep an air canister near this one, with all its complex surfaces and delicate branches manual cleaning would be an issue.     

 

Honorable Mentions

Train Turntable and modular Roundhouse
by Fachmann

Support Level: 111

This is not the first power function Train turntable I have seen but it is certainly a design style I have never observed before, and, if reliable, the best.

There is a video to accompany the project that exists as a proof of concept.


It is a great idea for a project and one that many train enthusiasts would enjoy.  I am curious about how stable the mechanism is.  As a fan of dynamic builds, I know that many of them work for a few times and then fail due to stress.  In that regard I would like to see the turntable operate many more train transitions, ideally using time lapse.

That is all really just curiosity and pedantry though.  I am in total support of the project.  When (not if) this gets 10k support, Lego can certainly develop a reliable mechanic for the build if this one is not up to the task.  

The "modularity" of this project is based on the project's design allowing for sections of track or building to be added or removed to support the needs of the builder.  Personally I perceive the word "modular" as being a reserved word when it comes to Lego, that referring to a building with multiple, easily separable stories and emphasizing creative use of brick for architectural elements.  I think the term "Adjustable" could be applied to the title to get the concept across with much less confusion for people looking for traditional Modulars. 


Lego Spice Girls set
by Pixeldandy

Support Level: 306

Personally I am a fan of the Spice Girls.  It is fun poppy music.  Then again, I like MOST music.  Regardless of your opinion of the Spice Girls, these custom figures are phenomenal.  Pixeldandy has done a great job recreating Lego's cartoonist style.

If just one Spice Girl were to tweet about this project it would likely, quickly, reach 10k.  The support for this project is not the hurdle though.  The great obstacle for this, or any band for that matter is that Lego would likely base the Brand Fit not on the most appropriate of the band's lyrics and activities but on the least appropriate.  Most bands could not live up to such scrutiny I imagine.

Given that Cuusoo project subjects must be appropriate for 11 years-old audiences, I assume that the more sexual lyrics of the Spice Girls will end the party.

Notables

Brickmaker's Shop: Winter Village Series
by Ntatar

Support Level: 50

I like this build, even if I don't see it working with the Winter Village series.  It has a lot of really nice features that deserve attention, like the rolling cart, the abs machine, and the snow plow. 

Spider-Ship
by Alkido

Support Level: 31

Alkido has several unique ship designs on Cuusoo and I think this is my favorite to date.  The way the legs fold together to create a protective shell is very clever.


LeTourneau - Log Stacker 5594
by Paintmywall

Support Level: 8

This project looks very promising but I will hold my true judgement until I see the video. 

 Oldsmobile Classic Collection I
by Lindwolf

Support Level: 4

Although I am very fond of the vehicle in the center of this project, I am mostly mentioning this project because I like the concept.  There are several Cuusoo projects for old cars, but very little for the original cars.  


Second Look

Police Patrol VTOL Valkyria
by Ruiquintas

Support Level: 73

I liked this police VTOL a lot when it was released last week, but Ruiquintas has made this even sweeter with some great pics of the vehicles special features and adding a few baddies to chase.  The cockpit can hold two figures it turns out and there are containers in the undercarriage for holding a fleet of drones. 


Week of Cuusoo


Lego Spice Girls set
by Pixeldandy

Support Level: 306

See review above

BONSAI "Pine tree"
by Amkk

Support Level: 216

See Review above

Train Turntable and modular Roundhouse
by Fachmann

Support Level: 111

See review above


The Bat Vehicle Trilogy
Support Level: 71
Spider-Ship
Support Level: 31

Robotic Wolf
Support Level: 25

Spa & Salon
Support Level: 17
Icarius
Support Level: 15
Architecture: Pyramid of Giza
Support Level: 12

Downtown Library
Support Level: 11
Sliding Puzzle Tower
Support Level: 10

Ford GT Supercar
Support Level: 6
Marvel Minifigures
Support Level: 4

ARMY OF THE FUTURE
Support Level: 3
Bojan the Painter Bear
Support Level: 2

4 comments:

  1. Love the bonsai tree! It great, thanks for sharing it! I would be a sucker for the old cars true to their models though!

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  2. I've been watching your posts closely. I was hoping to get a mention but I didn't even get in the blanket of projects that were posted durring this week Donut Enforcement.

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  3. That is very unusual, I will have to see what happened. Sorry about that.

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  4. Ah, I see, 4 projects were posted late on Sunday. I was going to pick them up in the review this week but just went back seven days instead of eight.

    Thanks for pointing it out, I will redo the document shortly

    ReplyDelete