How best to share building instructions for my creations?
Friday, February 12th, 2010Every once in a while I get a request to share building instructions for my models. I am willing to do so, but haven’t quite figured out the best way. I was wondering if people might want to comment and make some suggestions?
Some possibilities for formats are are:
- LDraw files
- PDF of instructions generated using LDraw and LDpub
- Printed instructions in black & white or color
The ugly side of the equation comes when I contemplate compensation. Do I sell them or just give them away? I think it depends on how much work I have to put into them. I won’t go through the trouble of creating printed instructions for free, but I might be willing to share the LDraw files for free (Creative Commons licensed). The question is, how much would people be willing to pay, and is that enough to justify the work it would take me to prepare nice looking instructions?



The obvious way to connect two LEGO pieces is by putting the studs of one into the underside of another. But there are other ways. For example you can use a right-angle bracket to connect bricks at a 90 degree angle. For example, the headlights or taillights on most LEGO cars and trucks are often attached this way. In the AFOL (Adult Friends of LEGO) community, the term for this is SNOT (“Studs Not On Top”).

