Volitak_Boxor

I chose Takua and Pewku.  I still think Pewku has one of the most unique functions of any Bionicle set, with his moving legs (even if the system did slip apart more often than not). Clickclickclickclickclick....

Boxor was my first 'titan'.  I remember screwing up so many times trying to build it the first time with my dad when I was like six... 2002 was a really good year all around, though.  The Exo-Toa is pretty neat, and the Bohrok are great too.  Still stuck with Boxor in the end.

Had to vote Lewa, my first Toa, because of nostalgia.  I love the green and lime.  Honorable mentions to Tarakava and Muaka and Kane-Ra.

Speaking of sets, I've noticed on a few pages, such as the page for Kinloka, an error occurs when clicking on the instructions link.  A Keep & Share message pops up, saying that the information is not available.  Does anyone know why that is?

Is the shade used in Pohatu and Protector of Stone the same color as Hewkii used in 2001/2003?  The new color is called Dark Orange, technically, right?  Was that Hewkii's, or was that Burnt Orange or something?  The two look similar, but the new one looks a touch less orange in the photos (at least to me).

All right, previously-existing instructions and images are up for 2003!  This is really starting to come together.  Only three years left! (Although I'm not looking forward to getting all the 2005 instruction PDFs merged together...)

A few other miscellaneous points:

- I updated the first post; I plan to keep a continuous status update there, along with a link to the editable database.  If anyone wants to volunteer and contribute in some way, I can track it there, too, so we don't repeat any jobs.  

- I found out that there were, in fact, alternate models for the 2007 playsets.  They were depicted near the end of the instruction manuals and not on the backs of boxes.  BS01 actually has some nice high-quality images of them, so if we get to the point of trying to reverse-engineer playset alternate model instructions, the 2007 ones might actually be easier than the 2005/2006 ones.

- Nice find, TomRoid!  Those will definitely come in handy later down the line.

If anyone wants to read, comment, or edit the database, please do so.  Any feedback is good feedback.  I hope to finish 2004 before too long!

Watching now, and this is the only place I can comment.  Can you use the LoSS's function to grab and wrap around a Toa's whole body, like a little Skull Spider can wrap around the head?  How does that fit?

I'm probably going to want to grab this set, just because I'm a sucker for gear functions.  Swinging arms are great, but other functions are even better.  I don't really mind the handle coming out the back end, because to me it's really reminiscent of the Nui-Jaga, with their similar handle-trigger arrangement.

I haven't bought any new Technic sets in years, so I'm surprised at how many new little connectors there are.  Longer hybrid pin-axles, pin spacers, a pinhole with a pin on the side...  These could really come in handy.  Too bad it'll probably take a bunch of sets to amass any significant quantity.

I now have a theory on what the Temple of Time looks like. In the Legend promo video, at about 0:26, we see this building: . It's on a hill above the rest of what's presumably a city, which could mean that it's important etc etc. Now, this would be unremarkable on its own, but in the "A New Journey Begins" image, this same building is shown again:  Seeing as this is the only building, pretty much, which is shown in both, I'd hazard a guess that this is the Temple of Time; It sounds like it'll be fairly important in the upcoming story, so it would make sense to feature it multiple times.

To me, that building looks a lot like an anvil-shape.  Maybe it's Ekimu's and Makuta's maskmaking workshop from the animation?

If we're going with models that have "set-like images", then all I can think of are the Tohunga ("McToran") that had CGI images, but weren't released as sets. I'm not sure if this includes Hafu and Nuparu, but maybe if they were seen here first.

 

Kapura (Possible, but only with a misprinted Red Ruru)

Hahli (Possible)

Kotu (Impossible, as the Rau wasn't printed that colour in real life to my knowledge)

Tamaru (Impossible, as the Rau, torso and arms weren't printed those colours in real life to my knowledge)

Taipu (Possible)

Kopeke (Not sure about the colours...)

Takua (Possible)

 

Other than that, what other "set-like images" are there of characters not released as sets, combiners, etc. ?

Like Aanchir mentioned, there are some Matoran from the Mata Nui Online Games that don't have CGI images but can still be built from existing parts.  I also had things like the Mahi in mind, at first, that have images that make them appear to be physically buildable.  However, when looking back at BS01, those images were more stylized than I'd remembered, so actually buiding the Mahi and similar things isn't really feasible.  That just leaves the Matoran, then, who are really quite simple to build if you have the parts.  They certainly wouldn't need instructions... Maybe a footnote or something similar could just list what Matoran are buildable, or maybe that information could just be left out, because it isn't all that useful.  What do you all think?

On another note, Black Six's Kopaka review showed that Lego will be publishing instructions online for 2015 combiners.  So far, they look pretty underwhelming, because they look like the Protectors' weapons are just given to the Toa, but they're certainly better than nothing.  I hope we get some Kaita or other more complex combiner models next year.

Progress Update:

- I took a look at the parts available in Lego Digital Design, and it doesn't look like there are enough Bionicle parts to recreate any of the combiner models that don't have instructions, so that option's out.  Looks like any instructions we make will have to be photos of actual models.

- The 2007 and 2008 sections of the database are filled in now.  That means half the years are done!  Of course, that includes the four easiest... 2002 and 2005 are going to be a pain.  If anyone can start splicing together instruction PDFs of the combiners from 2005 whose instructions came split between two instruction books (Gate Guardian, etc.), that would be a huge help.

- Dorek, I took your advice and am saving backups of all instructions as PDFs on a drive on my computer.  The 2007/08 instruction links in the database all redirect to PDF uploads on Google Docs, which is my plan going forward.  I'll probably fix the 2001/09/10 links to be that way too, eventually.  By the way, I found some images of Spiriah's instructions on Brickshelf  and converted them into a PDF.  You can use that on Spiriah's page on BS01, if you want.  I can email the file to you or something if you need the file saved somewhere on your end.  Also, FYI, the instructions link on Trinuma's page seems to be broken.

- I started a new section all the way at the bottom of the doc for fan-created canonized models, things with official set-like images (MNOG Matoran, etc.) and the like after seeing the discussion here.  Personally, I'll be focusing my efforts elsewhere for the time being, but if anyone else wants to lead the charge in filling in that section, go right ahead.  The Google Doc is open for public editing.

On a bit of a random note, I never realized how cool Zyglak looked.  It makes me wish I owned the sets to build it.

 

 

BS01's set database is in what I like to call prenatal stages, but we're working on it. A document like this would be super helpful, and personally I think that any and all non-mainline set releases should count. Even the playsets, even the fan models, etc.

 

What, so even the ones that don't exist as models but with images that have LEGO construction (2001 Makuta, 2001-2004 Matoran, Fikou Nui, Bionicle Heroes things, etc.)?

 

No, he meant physical set releases. Those were never released so they don't count.

 

-NotS

 

I think Dorek was also referring to the fan-created contest-winning models (Krakua, Dark Hunters, etc.).  Nidhiki of the Shadows, I liked your suggestion that if we do anything with those models, we do so in a separate document.  The combiner database will take effort, but it's something with a feasible endpoint.  Documenting instructions for all fan-created models seems nearly impossible, though (Anybody want to try writing instructions for the Kanohi Dragon?).  As such, the contest-winning model document would be a perpetual work-in-progress.  I'm going to focus on the combiners, for the time being, but if someone else wants to start compiling records and instructions for the fan created models, be my guest.

Edit:  Huh, I guess the quote function doesn't work on my version of Internet Explorer.   It does on Chrome, though.

And 2001 is pretty much done!  All that's left is the creation and uploading of three sets of instructions that don't exist -- yet.  2001 can act as a general template for formatting.  I'm going to open up the document for community editing soon, so anyone who wants to chip in can.

Here are the tasks that I think need to be done in the short-to-medium-term:

Filling In the Database:  This is the easy but tedious stuff, like linking to instructions on BS01, copying in stock images, and adding set numbers to the composite set listings (which can be found on Brickset).  This is mostly what I'll be working on personally, for the time being, but if anyone else wants to lend a hand, that's great.

PDF Synthesis:  For models with instructions that are split up between different instruction manuals, it would be best to create a single PDF that contains only the combiner's instructions.  For example, the posted instructions for Akamai came from BS01's PDF manuals for Tahu, Pohatu, and Onua.  I found a good free PDF tool online for reordering and deleting pages called PDFill Tools.  If anyone has access to Adobe Acrobat Pro, that works great, too.

Instruction Generation:  For some sets, like the Matoran Nui, no instructions even exist.  If you can build the model and then take a series of photos depicting its creation, that would be wonderful.  Then, you can compile the images into a PDF to link to, or you could just link to your images and let someone else convert them into a PDF.  It would probably be a good idea to post your instructions in this topic before uploading them, so they can be peer-reviewed for accuracy.  A good template for these user-generated instructions would be Mask of Destiny's instructions for Turaga Nui, which I linked to in the document.

Instruction Generation (digital):  If anyone is proficient in LDD, and there are combiners that consist solely of parts available in LDD, we could probably make some pretty spiffy-looking instructions.  Is anyone here (Aanchir, maybe?) familiar enough with the LDD part catalog to know if this is even feasible?

Any comments or suggestions for improvement on the formatting?  This is really starting to look more like a database than a list!

As far as the Master Builder set goes, I didn't really think that any of those were alternate models.  It was just a kit that could be built into 15 models, so I didn't think it really fit into this list.  It's definitely worth considering, though.  Anybody else have an opinion on what to do with the Master Builder set?

Edit: And the 2009 and 2010 sections are done!  At least, until we start working on inventories. 

Wow!  It's nice to see that there's an interest in this project.  I've made a few updates to the Google Doc.  I added set numbers, an image, and a link to an instructions PDF to the entries for the first two combiners, Akamai and Wairuha.  I think that those can serve as templates, or model entries, at least for the time being.  Also, I added in the Caravan Crawler, which was a Brickmaster combiner built from two 2006 playsets.  I added a section describing short- and long-term goals at the top, and I addressed most of the comments people left, such as including the extra parts included with retail combiners, like Irnakk.

In response to what others have posted here:

-Piece counts and inventories for each model would be a useful feature; however, I think it would take a lot of effort to complete.  I think we should focus on gathering images and instructions first, just so we don't bite off more than we can chew.

-Listing the source of the original instructions would be fairly simple, so we could probably do that.

-TomRoid, I looked at the gallery you posted with the various Japanese combiners.  I would be inclined to say that those other models probably shouldn't be included in the database unless we can find official documentation that they were Lego-sanctioned, such as a scan from a Japanese magazine.  Otherwise, those are indistinguishable from MOCs.  The Rahkshi one is fine because it was definitely featured in a magazine (one of the American comics.)  If the Japanese magazine that introduced the Rahkshi combiner also showed those other models, I don't see why we should exclude them.  It's all a matter of finding documentation, I think.

-Playset Alternate Models:  In theory, I think we should include those, however, it might be pretty hard to generate instructions for those models from a single picture.  I think these models can be a low-priority future goal.

-Krahka instructions:  I think that the black-and-white Krahka instructions, even if colorized, might still be a bit annoying to use.  What I imagine, is for sets like Krahka, we develop "reverse-engineered" instructions, either with photos or in LDD, like the MoD Turaga Nui instructions Aanchir linked to.  (By the way, I'm not very familiar with LDD. How many old Bionicle parts are available?  Could it be useful for instruction generation, or would most models have too many specialized parts (armor, masks, etc.) that aren't in LDD?)

-Rahi Nui:  I don't think there are any official Rahi Nui images, so any model would just be a MOC. 

-Contest-Winning Models (Krakua, Dark Hunters, etc.):  It would be neat to include these, but that would be a considerable increase in work.  I think this is a good goal to aim for farther down the road, if we finish work on all the combiner entries.

A final note:  It seems like for models like the Kaita, where instructions are split up between instruction booklets, there aren't any online PDFs of just the combiner instructions.  However, BS01 has good PDFs of the entire instruction books for the composite sets.  By using software like Adobe Acrobat Pro, we can perform a bit of PDF surgery and create dedicated combiner instruction PDFs.  If anyone has easy access to Adobe Acrobat Pro or a similar program and wants to help out, combining the relevant parts from the different instruction manuals could be a big help.

Once we discuss plans a bit more (what "counts", etc.),  I'll open up the document for the community to edit so we can start fleshing the document out.  I'm always open to more feedback, so if you have any comments, just let me know.

I would be interested in a combiner checklist, too.  Is there even a comprehensive list of Bionicle combiners anywhere out there online?  I guess there's the pull-down menu in the set database, but that's not very user-friendly, and I think it's missing a few models.  A list arranged by year would be nice.  I know some pretty obscure combiners came to light in the discussion in the Japanese Bohrok combiner topic a few days ago.  Also, on a related note, do models like the Ranama and Kirikori Nui count as combiners?  Official instructions were released, but they take a lot of Throwbot parts, Kanohi in alternate colors (like a red Pakari, for example), and other parts that aren't found in any Bionicle sets.  I think those were the only two models like that, but I'm not 100% sure.

Those other Kabaya combiners are pretty cool.  You'd think that there'd be a fourth one, then, since the Kabaya Turaga  and Bohrok Va were released as sets of four.  That would be one model per set.  Maybe I'll take a look online in a little while, if nobody else knows.

Honestly, the one thing I'd like as a benefit for the older fans is closure to the old serials.  I know it's not likely, and it could be really confusing to new fans, but I'd just like to see what happens.  The serials all ended on a cliffhanger.  Lewa, Helryx, Artahka, and company are trapped in that fortress, Kopaka and Pohatu are with Mavrah on the Red Star... I just want to know what happens next.  The new story could be a total unconnected reboot; if a few years down the line, Greg had some free time and was able to finish those stories (after there's been some time to develop the new fanbase, so they won't be immediately confused), even if they had no effect on the current story, I would be happy.   I know there's a lot of logistical issues, and Greg might be pretty rusty on the old story if the new story is a reboot, so this likely won't and probably shouldn't happen, but I can dream, can't I?

Wow!  That's one neat model!  To think that that's existed all these years, and almost nobody knew about it...

I wonder if there are any other Japanese combiners we don't know about.  Anyone here fluent enough in Japanese to poke around that site in the first post and look some more?  I know that there's the Kabaya Turaga combiner and the Kabaya Bohrok Va combiner, and I just found out about the three Rahkshi combiners today (Two Kabaya ones: one red/brown and one green/white, and the red/black/blue one from the back of comic 14).  And of course, there's this new Bohrok combiner.  There were Kabaya promotional versions of some of the 03 Matoran, right?  Did they have any sort of special Japanese combiner model?

Also, someone mentioned looking for a database of combiner instructions.  BS01 has most of them, as mentioned above, but I found a Brickshelf gallery online that has numerous good photos of almost every single alternate model from Bionicle, even most of the obscure ones.  The only things I noticed missing were the Sand Stalker from 2009, Gaardus from 2010, and this newly discovered Bohrok combiner.  There aren't any instructions, but the photos could be helpful, especially for smaller models like the 03 Matoran combiners.  Here's the link: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=393720

By the way, was anyone ever able to actually find instructions for the red/black/blue Japanese Rahkshi combiner?  (I'm not that great at constructing a set just from pictures of the finished product.)  That combiner seems like it would be neat to build, and if instructions for it exist, I would love to see them.

It's nice to see the front page being updated, and I like that the top banner and central news section are still the same, at least for now.  They may be old, but I like the way they look, and they work consistently, unlike most of the now-gone links.  The Twitter feed where the Amazon box used to be seems like a good, modern improvement, but I'm wondering if anyone ever even used the Amazon box.  I always thought it looked a bit out of place.  Also, I was surprised to see the set database link gone.  Admittedly, the set database wasn't that great, compared to what's on, say, Bricklink, but I always thought the combiner database was nice (Actually, if the combiner database could be updated with functioning links to all the combiners' instructions, that could be a really useful feature that I haven't seen anywhere else online.  Of course, I realize that that's rock-bottom priority).  I found the link on the sidebar on the page with the list of product reviews, though, so I'm glad I can still get to that database somehow.  Anyway, I can't wait to see what the front page looks like once all the updates are completed.  Here's to the possible return of Hot Topics!

Back in late 2008, I saw the Glatorian promo image (the one with the huge pieces in the desert and the Matoro Inika look-alike) in a friend's Lego Magazine.  I had no idea what a Glatorian even was, and, when Googling to try to find out, I stumbled upon BZP.  I checked the site regularly for news and generally lurked a lot, but all the big happenings now with Bionicle returning got me to finally create an account.

Hello, all!  My name is Volitak_Boxor, and I'm finally a member of BZPower.  I've lurked here for almost six years, since before the Glatorian were revealed, and I've been a fan of Bionicle for even longer than that, since 2002 or so. The confirmation of Bionicle's return finally convinced me to create an account (To think, I could almost have a Faxon spinny by now!).   Better late than never, anyways.  I'm looking forwards to discussing the sets and the story, both old and new.