Virtual Micropolis

Virtual Micropolis: Lever Court

Tuesday, 5th December 2017 By Caz

Virtual MOC Lever Court - Front — Virtual MOC Lever Court – Front

A few days ago I was noodling around with my 3D sketch for this build, but I decided to use LDD to flesh it out a bit more.

It’s now so far from the original model in Tom Alphin’s book that I feel justified in calling it a MOC.

I have expanded the 3D sketch even further, giving the build two side wings surrounding a central raised core. The upper levels are on the diagonal again, to give a bit of dynamism.

I would like to build this one sometime, I need to gather enough trans light blue bricks first, however.

Virtual MOC Lever Court - Side — Virtual MOC Lever Court – Side

Virtual Micropolis: Octo Mansions

Tuesday, 21st November 2017 By Caz

I fired up LDD after making the 3D sketch for this idea, no running out of bricks that way! I kept building until I arrived at a height I liked, which just happened to be 8 floors – so it became Octo Mansions.

Virtual Micropolis - Octo Mansions — Virtual Micropolis – Octo Mansions

A companion block slanting the other way, and some landscaping on the Micropolis base plate and it was done!

Virtual Micropolis - Octo Mansions Rear — Virtual Micropolis – Octo Mansions Rear

I did think about using another colour apart from white, (I had already changed to use smokey trans bricks for the windows instead of clear), but there were few choices which I liked where I the parts needed are available. There are quite a few 1×2 jumpers required which are easy enough, but a matching Brick, Modified 1 x 2 x 1 1/3 with Curved Top (the pesky element which caused me grief with Rainbow Tower) comes in a fairly limited selection – none of which I really wanted to use for the whole model. So white it is.

Virtual Micropolis: Four Square

Monday, 20th November 2017 By Caz

Having played about with a 3D sketch of each house, I changed over to the virtual world of LDD to see how I could add them to my Micropolis layout. I realised that making each into a small detached dwelling meant I could fit a group of four onto a quarter-block baseplate:

Virtual Micropolis - Four Square Front — Virtual Micropolis – Four Square Front

I wanted to give them a bit of colour, but was a little limited in choice with rooves and walls, as some of the more pastel shades I wanted to choose did not give me the bricks I needed!

Adding some landscaping and an alley for rear access gave the module a bit more realism. I know they are rather squashed in, but just like real life, land is at a premium in a big city!

Virtual Micropolis - Four Square Rear — Virtual Micropolis – Four Square Rear

I hope to build these soon, as I would like to have a bit of residential property in my town.

Virtual MOC: Marina Point

Friday, 17th November 2017 By Caz

I had another idea for more waterfront property – this time a 3-storey cantilevered structure jutting out into the marina itself – called Marina Point. It’s an exclusive development, influenced by nautical themes, which only the super-rich can afford – but does come with its own moorings for the largest of yachts.

There is even some parking available next to the entrance – luxury indeed, in Micropolis.

Virtual MOC Marina Point - Big Yachts! — Virtual MOC Marina Point – Big Yachts!

Virtual MOC: Waterfront Wharf

Thursday, 16th November 2017 By Caz

Having built three luxury apartments for my virtual Micropolis, I decided it needed a bit of scene-setting. So I started designing Waterfront Wharf And Harbour which would look perfect in front of the high rises behind.

I deviated slightly from the Micropolis Standard, by lowering the level of the water to just one plate above the very bottom. This gave me the opportunity for a few more level changes from the street down to the Marina. I fudged the joins on three sides to still have the 3-hole Technic bricks in the right place, but the lowest open side won’t have any connection points to other modules. I’m fine with that…

The old Wharf has had its outbuildings refurbished into a Seafood Restaurant, but the pier is looking a bit dilapidated still! Best not go for a stroll along it after dinner.

The Harbour Master has a little hut in the middle where he can observe the folks on the beach – dispatching the life guards if necessary, and also have an overview of the boats coming and going from their berths in the Marina. A treacherous stretch of rocks has a little lighthouse to warn marine traffic not to stray too far.

Virtual MOC: Rainbow Tower

Wednesday, 15th November 2017 By Caz

I had great fun designing this colourful building, and hoped to be able to purchase the bricks to build it soon, as I really wanted to see it in reality. I liked the SNOT work which made each of the side panels fit onto the main structure, and thought it would make a great addition to my growing little town.

As well as landscaping around the entrance, I provided a small parking lot at the rear for those folks lucky enough to get a pass.

Imagine my dismay, when I went to price up the parts to put this one together. Stupid LDD had let me choose an impossible brick in my build! The rather cumbersomely-named Brick, Modified 1 x 2 x 1 1/3 with Curved Top does not exist in Trans-Clear! Drat.

Unfortunately, it’s rather integral to the look and feel of those lovely smooth panels. I’m gutted! Perhaps I might be able to replace it with another part, but it will require a major rethink of the project. So for now, I can only look at the virtual result and sigh with regret that it won’t ever see the light of day in this form.

However, valuable lesson learned – check carefully that the pieces you want actually come in the colours you want! 😉