How should I start MOCing?

[lordmegacom]

I'm new to Bionicle MOCing (although I've been a fan of the product since I was little), and I'm wondering "where do I start?". I only have a few Bionicle and HF sets and barely and technic pieces... Should I just buy a huge lot on eBay or something?

 

Any tips would be helpful

 

Thanks!

[Toa Imrukii]

If you have the money, I'd recommend buying a whole lot of parts, though I personally wouldn't just buy a general lot. Specific parts are a necessity when building, so if I were you, I'd use Bricklink (Here: https://www.bricklink.com). However, if you are completely unsure of what you want to build, then buying a few lots of parts will certainly be a good starting point.

 

I for one make mocs from the parts of past sets. And, since I owned many sets, much of them being dupes, I have quite a bit in the way of parts to use. I just have to sort them when I build though. So, I'd recommend sorting the parts if you are to get a few lots.

 

Though personally, I'd start with something small to start off. Not a massive thing, but maybe just experiment around attaching and unattaching pieces, like moulding clay, until you have an idea in your head. Or, you could work off of a reference image for what you want to build if you're starting off. Do not be disappointed in yourself if you don't build the most amazing thing first time. Frankly much of my mocs are sub-par at best personally, so don't beat yourself up if you aren't satisfied with the outcome first time. You can always go back and change it.

[Tufi Piyufi]

BBC is for posting your finished MOCs - this would go better in Bionicle Discussion.

[The 1st Shadow]

Imrukii basically covered the important stuff (like ordering specific parts on Bricklink.com or something of the sort). I do have an alternative to that, though (but it depends on where you live). I work for a franchise called "Bricks & Minifigs," and we have locations all around the US. We deal with used parts and sets, minifigures, books, etc. Each of our locations has tables full of loose bulk pieces, so if you live near one of the stores, I recommend stopping by one and making a bulk purchase of parts there. Check this link to see if there's one in your state. 

 

So, once you've got your parts, just start building. There's no better way to start. I'd also say you should go check out one of the conventions, if you're near enough when one is going on. Go in, see what everyone else builds, talk to a few of them, and get some inspiration from there.

[Aanchir]

Trying to combine parts from two or three specific sets can often be a good place to start! That way you'll get a better sense of the different ways the parts you already have can be used.

[FrozenPancake_]

Trying to combine parts from two or three specific sets can often be a good place to start! That way you'll get a better sense of the different ways the parts you already have can be used.

 

Plus, making a model out of parts exclusively from Set X and Set Y is a fun challenge.

[Bonkle]

The way I like to do it is figure out the character first. Imagine what they'll look like. Establish some base ideas, like color, or species. Then, start to rebuild that same idea in your head with pieces. Refine your idea until you have something really cool you can actually build.

[Bfahome]

If you don't want to jump right into full builds, modifying existing sets can be a good starting point.  For instance, you can try to replicate a set's torso with your own combination of pieces.  That'll give you something specific to work towards so you can focus on how the pieces interact with each other to make certain shapes.

[Junior Shark]

Ditto on the "only using parts from certain sets" and "modify existing sets" routes. Remember, sometimes restraints on boundless creativity can actually be a good thing! Also, go and take a look at other people's MOCs. Examine them. Analyze them. What do you like about them? "Whoa, how did they do that?!" Try to reverse-engineer one. This will get you into the mind of the builder, hijacking (in a good way!) their creative process. 

Edited May 4, 2016 by Junior Shark

[Xboxtravis]

Use LDD to brainstorm. The CCBS parts there are a tad limiting, but they have most of what you need to get building prototypes on the computer

[Lyichir]

Use LDD to brainstorm. The CCBS parts there are a tad limiting, but they have most of what you need to get building prototypes on the computer

Good advice! Constraction building can be tricky to do digitally, and LDD's parts selection may not be comprehensive, but even just messing around on the program a bit can give you a better feel for a wide variety of parts, some of which you may not have physically. It's nice for when you do get to the point where you might buy secondhand parts on Bricklink, so that you already have a better idea of what sorts of parts are out there!

[Cheesy Mac n Cheese]

I would suggest studying individual pieces. Think "in what creative ways can I use this piece?" You might think of a use for it that was never originally intended for it. I didn't MOC all that much, but that's sorta how I did things. I remember using Spinax's head piece as a face because it sorta resembled one, and flipped it around a la Vezon's face/Ignika. I did that for the Official LEGO Makuta building contest back in 2008, and I still have Brickshelf pictures, though it's not all that good an MOC.

[Kopekemaster]

Personally, I'd look on eBay for "bionicle lot" or something like that. Buy a few pounds, and that should give you enough material to do plenty of MOCing.

Usually when I build a MOC I don't really have any specific goal of what I'm trying to make, I just mess around with the pieces I have and try to come up with non-standard ways of using them. After that, the MOC kind of builds itself, in a way.

 

Looking at other people's MOCs and even some of the official combiner models can give you inspiration as well. You can see something there and be like "huh, I've never thought of using that piece that way".

Edited May 5, 2016 by Kopekemaster

[32one]

I'd recommend buying bulk lots unless you specifically know which pieces you'll need (in that case, you can them from bricklink in high quantity). Bulk lots should give you a good selection of parts cheaper than buying them individually.

 

If you're building humanoid MOCs, you can go for more realistic proportions (Google "human proportions) or something less realistic. It's just choice.

 

Using too many weapon pieces or detailed/specialised parts will often lead to a tacky, discordant look. Also remember that just because a MOC is entirely CCBS based, it might have clashing textures due to the variation in design language with CCBS parts.

 

Likewise, using too many colours can detract from the look. On a standard colour scheme, you could probably use around 7 or 8 colours while maintaining a coherent look IF you layer and distribute them nicely. Most MOCs probably use 2-4 colours. If a MOC looks too matchy-matchy, you can subtly add another colour or two in moderation to break up the colour scheme. 

 

If you're not too confident with MOCing, I'd recommend staying away from any custom builds unless you have a reason to (e.g. achieving different sizes/shapes, new connection points to attach different parts, etc). You can try making modifications to sets or building "basic" MOCs which are variations of set designs to familiarise yourself with the system and learn new techniques or designs. The last things you want are ugly, custom-for-the-sake-of-custom limbs.

 

 

 

[The Hip Historian Iaredios]

How I start MoCing is that i spend about an hour on the floor looking at pieces, picking some up and examining them, and I use my imagination to see what could be used with them. If you are lucky, you might catch something when you have a multiple parts needed come your way. Sometimes for me, however, I don't get anything and I end up having spent two hours on the floor looking at plastic bits and then putting them away.