How to build big space ship

[Brickviller]

Hi space fans!

For a while I was thinking about making a big space ships, you know with a few rooms and stuff like that. However I searched but couldn't find tips/advice/technical stuff for beginners So I hope some of you can help me.

The only thing I can say further is that I don't have many bricks but I do have many plates and technic Lego

Edited February 11, 2011 by Brickviller

[-zenn]

I have no experience with big ships but... if I where in your position; lot's of plates & technic. I would start out drawing the ship, then making a technic frame of it. Covering it with plates, add weapons/engines etcetera and at last add detail.

Or work with seperate modules, which you can rapidly change the configuration to your liking.

[Bricker]

I would reccomend that you use alot of your technic peices. This will give it a nice detailed look. Use the plated for the base and use technic peices for walls and functions and use them in as maany ways as you can. Only use bricks when you need them most. To be honest if you dont have alot of bricks, your not gonna get too far. Study other peoples MOCs and study how they made theirs. Try to replicate their design technuiqes. Also, this March LEGO is making this program where you can learn to be a good builder, like the pros!!! Look for info in March's LEGO magazine.

[Brickdoctor]

How to build a SHIP, by Adrian Drake, builder of the Tribunal, a 487-stud, 12-foot long SHIP

[Rook]

I have some experience in building larger ships. Here’s a VERY basic tutorial I did in 2008.

http://www.thecabg.net/t207p165-lego-art-design-principles-101#8641

And here are some of my comments on "building big" after my most recent "large ship".

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=50676&view=findpost&p=906516

Edited February 11, 2011 by Rook

[Henchmen4Hire]

The only tip you need is "become a millionaire", then you'll never be missing the piece you need.

...or use LDD :)

[Brickdoctor]

The only tip you need is "become a millionaire", then you'll never be missing the piece you need.

...or use LDD :)

According to Thomas Benedikt (built 6-foot Home One, is designing 13-foot Executor), LDD supposedly will inevitably crash around the 37,000 piece mark, so what works best virtually is to assemble the sub-models in LDD and then use a .ldr program to put everything together.

[Rook]

The only tip you need is "become a millionaire", then you'll never be missing the piece you need.

...or use LDD :)

LDD is a tool. I can draw a universe but what's point if I can't step foot into it. If you just want to draw toys, try checking out a graphic design forum. I could load up a bunch of analogies here but basically LDD is like the wrapper on the outside of the candy, shiny and almost worthless.

I’m not a millionaire, I am barely middle class. But over time I have built up enough Lego that I can build most everything that I have wanted to build.

Edited February 11, 2011 by Rook

[vexorian]

I think one of the best things about building a ship is once it is finished and it is actually stable and stays together and then getting to show it to others. But doing LDD-only MoCs make it so you never truly experience if the build is stable or get to show it to people.

[Henchmen4Hire]

According to Thomas Benedikt (built 6-foot Home One, is designing 13-foot Executor), LDD supposedly will inevitably crash around the 37,000 piece mark, so what works best virtually is to assemble the sub-models in LDD and then use a .ldr program to put everything together.

I don't know what half those words and letters mean

shiny and almost worthless.

I know I'll never be able to afford enough LEGO bricks to build whatever I want, let alone have the space for it, nor do I want to. LDD is great for scratching the building itch.

I can draw a universe but what's point if I can't step foot into it

Following that line of thought, why should scientists make theories or design spaceships if they know they'll never step into them in their lifetimes? Or even several lifetimes? Because where they fail hopefully someone else will see and improve on their work, someday making those dreams a reality.

Edited February 12, 2011 by DrNightmare

[ziljin]

I suffer from a similar problem. I have the pieces just lack the imagination.

[J4ke]

Neat frame design by Mike Yoder: