What are your rules when building MOCs?

bkpr

Back story: Recently I, like the rest of the internet, came across this almost perfect depiction of the ye olde Apple Macintosh and wanted one badly. It seemed like a pretty easy build so I fired up LDD and designed my own version. With only one photo of the original build I had to design how simple/detailed the back would be. I decided to include a few details from the original Mac (I can share my LDD file if someone wants to have a look). I posted a comment on the flickr page giving praise on the use of half-stuf offsets. From this comment I received a Flickrmail (PM) from another builder who was interested in my design, and shared their LDD file with me.

Here's the basis for my question: his build was more 'refined' in terms of the number of pieces used, and the actual pieces used (more common, maybe, than my brick choices). Potentially this means I'm spending more for essentially the same model, and now I know that design to be more 'clever', or frugal. (As an aside, It's probably worth mentioning I don't have a cache of bricks to really experiment with, but I think LDD goes a long way to helping the brick-scarce in designing MOCs. I guess one way where it can't help is getting a feel for the structural integrity of a model. But maybe with experience you could reasonably estimate this aspect.)

By the time the builder had shared his file with me, I had ordered my parts from BrickLink, but it got me thinking where do other builders place importance when building an MOC?

I imagine when building a model of something, accuracy is pretty important. Do you forego cost limits to find that perfect, possibly rare brick that works 'the best' for the design, or do you spare heartache, time, and cost to end up with a model that's 98% 'right'? Do you do with what you have?

jasor

For me, it just depends on the subject. I do MOC a lot "addtional" scene stuff with existing sets. When I do those, I try and stick with the Lego design factor: Good use of bricks, "just enough" detail to make it work, and function/playability.

If I'm MOC'ing something of a real challenge....it's all about the detail. It's more work. It's more costly in some cases. and it's more rewarding when you pull it off. :D