An introduction to micro-scale
Posted by benbuildslego,
It is always awe-inspiring to see humongous LEGO builds, such as the massive Tree of Creativity at Billund’s LEGO House; however, I am often just as impressed with well executed micro-scale builds.
Micro-scale builds are those that are smaller than minifigure scale. What exactly minifigure scale is can make for lively debate given the wonky proportions of minifigure bodies. Essentially, if a minifigure would resemble a giant or even appear Godzilla-sized within a build, then you have entered micro-scale territory!
The overall aim of building at micro-scale is to attain a likeness of something at a tiny scale. The entire LEGO Architecture series is the perfect example of micro-scale in which famous locations are massively shrunk down to easily fit on a desk. The LEGO Hogwarts Castle (71043) – although a huge set – is another superb example of micro-scale (I still need help to convince my girlfriend to let me buy that one!)
As anyone who has attempted micro-scale MOCs can tell you, smaller does not mean easier. Since every single piece and stud matters, building in micro-scale can often feel more difficult than minifigure scale. Below are some of my general tips to get you started off on the right foot with your own MOCs!
Expand Your Piece Vocabulary
Given the innate limitations of micro-scale, it is incredibly beneficial to expand your “vocabulary” of LEGO pieces. By “vocabulary,” I simply mean possessing a firm understanding / memory of the different types of pieces. Regrettably, there is no quick way to cram your brain full of this knowledge – but fortunately, I have created a Bricklink Stud.io file that contains pieces that I have found are particularly useful when building in micro-scale. (For those who may be unaware, Bricklink Stud.io is a free program for building LEGO digitally on the computer.) I encourage you to download and use this file for your future use!
Knowing what your piece options are empowers you to quickly problem-solve for issues you encounter. For example, when I was designing the stadium of the Chicago Cubs, Wrigley Field, I puzzled over how to portray the intricate wrought-iron work that surrounds the exterior. I knew that a simple green brick would appear woefully plain at this scale, so I opted to use the underside of Modified 1 x 1 Plates with Tooth to provide a more interesting and detailed texture.
You can also expand your piece vocabulary simply by scrolling through all the pieces available within the Bricklink Stud.io program. Sometimes when I am stuck on a particular part of a build, I will start scrolling through the available pieces to jog my memory and see if there is a piece that I have forgotten about. When I was designing a skyline style MOC for “The Dark Knight” trilogy, I knew I needed a teeny bridge to connect to the Gotham football stadium. I was tight on space but I wanted something visually interesting. I started scrolling through the available pieces and suddenly realised the Window 1 x 4 x 1 2/3 with Spoked Rounded Top would make for a perfect micro bridge!
Look for shapes:
Once you have a firmer understanding of all the piece options, you are better equipped to start bringing your own micro-scale MOCs to life. When I am setting off on a new build, I start by thinking about my subject(s) in more abstract forms – I stop looking at the whole subject and I start looking at all the shapes within it.
An easy example is my Architecture style MOC of Hyrule Castle from “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.” (The technology of Nintendo 64 did not exactly allow for the most complex shapes.) The basic shaping of the castle was easy enough to notice. My piece vocabulary then began to inform me what was and what was not possible to achieve.
Although the shaping of this example is relatively straightforward, there will always be details that are impossible to include. This can sometimes feel agonizing in the moment, as you must lose certain details you love. While tiny details are always awesome to include, the chief aim is always to capture the overall look of your subject. When looking at the basic shapes, you must make the tough determination about what is necessary to retain the overall essence of the subject.
Determining Scale
When it comes to determining the size of a micro-scale build, again, I let the LEGO pieces themselves be my guide. Oftentimes, I recognise early on that there may be a single piece around which the whole build must hinge. These single, critical pieces are often referred to as “seed” pieces.
For example, in my Independence Hall MOC, I understood that there are only so many types of dome style LEGO pieces. I landed on using the more recently introduced 3 x 3 x 1 1/3 Dome. From that single piece, the scale of the rest of the piece flowed.
This same concept applied to two different micro-scale versions of Hogwarts I designed. In these cases, I knew there is a limited selection of cone pieces. So, once again the final scale of each build originated with the cone pieces I used.
When you are beginning your own build, consider whether there is a key, difficult aspect that can only be achieved by a single piece (or small combination of pieces) and work out from there!
I hope these basic tips gave you some ideas and inspiration for your own micro-scale builds – next time, I will cover more specific tips for building Architecture style micro-builds!
You can see all my micro-scale MOCs on Instagram @BenBuildsLego.
If you are a Redditor, I invite you to join the fun on /r/DigitalLego, where everyone can share and discuss building LEGO on the computer!
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33 comments on this article
Thanks so much!
You left me dead when you said "I still need help to convince my girlfriend to let me buy that one!"
Simply awesome.
Oh, this is neat! I've been thinking of dabbling a little in micro-scale for a while now, for a personal project, but honestly had not the slightest idea where to begin; so this is super helpful! Thanks :D
I stand in awe for all the builders who use this Micro scale. Although I prefer the larger scales, one must admire the amount of detail they manage to incorporate in their models. Not all Architecture models were great, but they are getting better every year.
My admiration began with the Mini Modular buildings (10230) and would love to see Disney Mainstreet from their themeparks in that scale. If any Brickset fans might have useful links to such models, please share: been looking for that for a long time.
Nice article and wouldn't mind future editions expanding on this scale.
I wish Lego would release the other modulars in microscale as its been 8 years since 10230
Wish lego did a Zelda Theme :)
I always liked the Micropolis standard for displays. The new base parts from the mosaics seem to be compatible with it:
http://twinlug.com/micropolis-micro-city-standard/
Tip de or you: offer the Hogwarts Castle to your partner. It worked perfectly for me!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful article!
Ben's Neuschwanstein Castle build seems so straightforward, but as you look it more you start to see the complexity of the piece selection, shaping, and spacing. He sums it all up in this article so well. Can't wait to put together that build, although part sourcing for these micro builds is often more intense than larger builds with less specific part needs.
Ben is a master at building microscale MOCs that look terrific and have tons of detail.
The suggestion of starting with a seed piece to determine the size is great if you are building a single structure, but sometimes you don't have that option, especially when building a group that are all in the same scale. Then it becomes, as Ben says, "...what is necessary to retain the overall essence of the subject." This, for me, is by far the hardest part of microscale. What can I do to at least evoke the sense of this structure or detail.
Another thing that I find really hard is you are locked into the size ratios of LEGO pieces and as you build smaller, this becomes more apparent. So structures will be too wide for the height, or too tall for the width.
My philosophy in building microscale is, if it looks right...it IS right. And just like movies, people are willing to suspend their disbelief and really buy into a well-done microscale MOC.
One of the BEST suggestions Ben has is looking at the backside or underside of LEGO pieces.
I said I will comment no more on Brickset, but being a big fan of Neuschwanstein and measuring and building a 50.000 parts Neuschwanstein since October, I can say that this micro-scale is totally wrong in terms of replicating the real castle dimensions.
It is micro-scale, it is cute, but it is not a replica.
If you make a Ferrari and it turns out into a London bus, you cannot blame on micro-scale or on the difficulty. You better not make it. People will buy it, because they don't know, they will have it in their home and enjoy it, but it is not Neuscwanstein.
But in these times of fake everything who cares, right?
Excellent guide from a pro! It is always difficult to think in microscale when for 20+ years you have been building in minifig scale...
I want to make a microscale version of Cairo and then do some scale pyramids to go with it.
@Felix_Mezei said:
"I said I will comment no more on Brickset, but being a big fan of Neuschwanstein and measuring and building a 50.000 parts Neuschwanstein since October, I can say that this micro-scale is totally wrong in terms of replicating the real castle dimensions.
It is micro-scale, it is cute, but it is not a replica.
If you make a Ferrari and it turns out into a London bus, you cannot blame on micro-scale or on the difficulty. You better not make it. People will buy it, because they don't know, they will have it in their home and enjoy it, but it is not Neuscwanstein.
But in these times of fake everything who cares, right?"
It’s not possible to make a fully accurate Neuschwanstein Castle at that scale. It isn’t about exact replication, as he says details may sometimes be left out. It’s about creating a recognizable approximation. If I look at Ben’s model, I immediately recognize it as Neuschwanstein. Same for Hogwarts, Hyrule Castle, any of his other models.
@Felix_Mezei said:
It is micro-scale, it is cute, but it is not a replica.
Like seriously did anyone say it was an exact replica? People obviously enjoy his work. If you don't that is okay too.
On last picture, is it right or left in microscale?
And what is the other one?
Thanks for this list.
@gsom7 said:
"On last picture, is it right or left in microscale?
And what is the other one?"
They are BOTH microscale!
As Ben says, "Micro-scale builds are those that are smaller than minifigure scale. What exactly minifigure scale is can make for lively debate given the wonky proportions of minifigure bodies. Essentially, if a minifigure would resemble a giant or even appear Godzilla-sized within a build, then you have entered micro-scale territory!"
He included a minifig for comparison.
@Mr__Thrawn said:
" @Felix_Mezei said:
"I said I will comment no more on Brickset, but being a big fan of Neuschwanstein and measuring and building a 50.000 parts Neuschwanstein since October, I can say that this micro-scale is totally wrong in terms of replicating the real castle dimensions.
It is micro-scale, it is cute, but it is not a replica.
If you make a Ferrari and it turns out into a London bus, you cannot blame on micro-scale or on the difficulty. You better not make it. People will buy it, because they don't know, they will have it in their home and enjoy it, but it is not Neuscwanstein.
But in these times of fake everything who cares, right?"
It’s not possible to make a fully accurate Neuschwanstein Castle at that scale. It isn’t about exact replication, as he says details may sometimes be left out. It’s about creating a recognizable approximation. If I look at Ben’s model, I immediately recognize it as Neuschwanstein. Same for Hogwarts, Hyrule Castle, any of his other models.
"
Well, you *could* get an accurate version at that scale, IF...you're willing to cut, drill and glue. But then again, at that point, you're no longer building with LEGO, merely a loose source of ABS plastic.
You are absolutely correct in saying that if someone recognizes what you've built in microscale you've done a great job!
My philosophy has long been that you can focus on making it look accurate, you can focus on making it look good, or you can try to find a balance of the two. In microscale, doing so becomes all the more crucial as it becomes increasingly impossible to capture the exact dimensions, and you rely more on capturing the overall feel of the design well enough that the viewer's mind will fill in any missing or inaccurate details.
On the other end of the scale, when you're building lifesize replicas, structural integrity is often more of a concern, as the "pixel" size you're working with is sufficiently small that you can capture almost any detail to a reasonable degree.
@gsom7:
Heh. I actually thought they were one model, and wondered why he'd left out the bridge. Oops.
@vidiont:
Depending on who you ask, microscale could be anything below minifig scale, or it has a somewhat nebulous lower limit. I agree with the classification that microscale is anything below minifig scale where it's still possible to depict people, at which point the only one of these models that is clearly microscale is the official Hogwarts set. The rest would fall into what many refer to as nanoscale, where the human form is simply too small in relation to the rest of the model to be represented with any official LEGO part. It's not an official classification, but it is a very useful one, as you find out if you ever attempt to build at either of those scales. There's surprisingly a lot more you can do in terms of detail at microscale than you can at nanoscale.
"I still need help to convince my girlfriend to let me buy that one!"
A good argument that helped a lot -and is even used by my wife to convince me (the LEGO junkie) to buy a set- is that it is a financial investment. Good sets from popular IP's will greatly increase in value, even if it is second hand.
Very impressive builds!
Can I ask where/how you custom print the nameplate tiles? I am having trouble finding someone who can print white ink onto Lego.
@reuvenk said:
"Very impressive builds!
Can I ask where/how you custom print the nameplate tiles? I am having trouble finding someone who can print white ink onto Lego."
The author can confirm for sure, but i believe all the examples you see are digital renderings and not physical builds, so those name plates are not actually printed by anyone.
@reuvenk said:
"Very impressive builds!
Can I ask where/how you custom print the nameplate tiles? I am having trouble finding someone who can print white ink onto Lego."
If you make available on your profile the "Contact" option or you contact me on private, I will tell you how I printed mine for my creations and probably help you like I've helped others who created microscale.
@vidiont
I see you know all about microscale. But you obviously do not know about Neuschwanstein.
There's no need to "to cut, drill and glue". You simply have to measure. If you replicate something that exist in real life.
That 2 stud wide tower should be 1 stud at that scale.
A lot of people are specialist around here, but don't understand what "scale" means. Call it "micro Neuschwanstein" or "My way of doing Neuschwanstein".
It seems in these times, everyone is entitled to his Neuschwanstein but scale means a precise thing, achievable or not in LEGO.
When something is achievable in LEGO but the measurements are wrong, please listen to me because I am measuring this castle since October.
But who cares? You already "recognizes what you've built in microscale you've done a great job!".
Why am I wasting time? Enjoy.
@Felix_Mezei said:
" @reuvenk said:
"Very impressive builds!
Can I ask where/how you custom print the nameplate tiles? I am having trouble finding someone who can print white ink onto Lego."
If you make available on your profile the "Contact" option or you contact me on private, I will tell you how I printed mine for my creations and probably help you like I've helped others who created microscale.
@vidiont
I see you know all about microscale. But you obviously do not know about Neuschwanstein.
There's no need to "to cut, drill and glue". You simply have to measure. If you replicate something that exist in real life.
That 2 stud wide tower should be 1 stud at that scale.
A lot of people are specialist around here, but don't understand what "scale" means. Call it "micro Neuschwanstein" or "My way of doing Neuschwanstein".
It seems in these times, everyone is entitled to his Neuschwanstein but scale means a precise thing, achievable or not in LEGO.
When something is achievable in LEGO but the measurements are wrong, please listen to me because I am measuring this castle since October.
But who cares? You already "recognizes what you've built in microscale you've done a great job!".
Why am I wasting time? Enjoy."
@Felix_Mezei
You are absolutely correct! I do know about microscale and I DON'T know about Neuschwanstein. I do understand what scale means, but I haven't worked on the measurements of the castle as you have. I have spent many hours measuring and calculating the scale of the structures I build to get them as accurate as possible. But since I haven't done the same for Neuschwanstein, as you have, I apologize for my comments and defer to you as the expert.
That being the case, would love to see (not that you would have any interest in doing it) your version of Neuschwanstein in the approximate size that Ben shows. It would be interesting to see how your how your knowledge of the measurements of the castle translate to a microscale version.
Or if you have already done this, could you point me to where you might have images posted? Thanks!!
(And you're NOT wasting your time. I just need to shut up and listen and learn from you.)
@vidiont
Thank you for understanding! I am an old school guy when criticism was a way to improve and progress and not nowadays times when the smallest observation means I am a hater or so.
More people answered to me without knowing what they are talking about, but I answered only to you because you sounded reasonable.
If you are interested in Neuschwanstein you can contact me.
The argument of "If you don't like it prove it by making your own" is not OK. Simply because if I am not a cook, I still can say "this pizza is not OK" without having to go to the kitchen to make my own.
I am not criticize Ben as a person or his work. I simply observed that his Neuschwanstein is not OK.
Neuschwanstein's plans are not available on internet and all the people I know until today made this Castle with a lot of mistakes. They are Dr. Robert Carney, Thilo Schon and Robert Leimer. I didn't had the chance to study the Neuschwanstein made by a team in Germany's LEGOLAND.
I respect all of the above for their work, and I cannot pretend they should have wasted time studying and measuring like I do, but the size mistakes are present.
This doesn't mean my version will be perfect. I studied this castle for the last 10 years and since last October I measure and replicate between 10-15 hours a day and I am not even finished half of it.
I will never make a micro-scale because I am not talented and the limitation are horrible for me in micro-scale, I aim big, mine will be aprox. 1,5 meters.
I never criticize the artistic view of any creator. I was just saying that this measurements are not OK and with existing LEGO parts can be done more accurate even in micro-scale.
If the 21042 Statue of Liberty has at least 10 mistakes including a too short hand and a too long neck, I didn't criticized why the designer made the face how he made, but the 10 mistakes could have been avoided with existing parts. People recognize that is The Statue, without bothering to observe it closely, they enjoy it, buy it and proudly display it. But when you produce a "replica" and you write "architecture" my expectation are different than when I observe Harry Potter or another fantasy thing.
I will not enumerate here all Ben's inadequate Neuschwanstein replica, because it is not fair and it is not my business.
I can send you some photos of what I do but on my website-portfolio didn't posted anything yet, you could see just my other creations.
https://mezeifelix.weebly.com/works.html
Without being a micro-scale fan or creator, I simply observed the wrong sizes because I am used to Neuschwanstein measurements. That is the beauty of the "scale" : a 4 m Ferrari must have the same proportions with a 4 cm one.
Probably one day I will buy Ben's version if it is available, just to honor his work on the castle I love so much, even if ....
Thanks to all the folks who added comments to this thread. It's been eye-opening and a good learning experience for me. I'm rather new to LEGO so all of this has shown me how much there still is that I don't know and how many different ways there are to approach thinking about and building with LEGO.
@BenBuildsLego
Thank you for writing this. Very much looking forward to more microscale articles from you...or just articles from you! I realized that you have a definite style to your builds as I was on Flickr and saw a MOC that made me think, "Gee, that looks like a @BenBuildsLeo build."...and it was!
@Felix_Mezei
Thank you! I'm enjoying looking through your website to see your builds and appreciate the extra effort you have taken to show and explain details of those MOCs.
@Felix_Mezei: thank you for sharing the link to your website. Those are some amazing MOCs. Neuschwanstein in particular is truly awesome. I wish I could create something like that. I will have to settle for the BB version that is supposedly coming to market soon even though that doesn't hold a candle to the one you made.
@AustinPowers said:
" @Felix_Mezei: thank you for sharing the link to your website. Those are some amazing MOCs. Neuschwanstein in particular is truly awesome. I wish I could create something like that. I will have to settle for the BB version that is supposedly coming to market soon even though that doesn't hold a candle to the one you made. "
Thank you for visiting! I do not seek publicity and I don't use social media. The website was only made for my friends, among them you are now.
Be aware, the Neuschwanstein on my website is not my creation but of Thilo Schon. I just made some changes and as I point with a plaque in all exhibition and in my website, it is not my work.
Unfortunately it has also bad measurements.
The Neuschwanstein I am working for 10 months and it is not ready yet is 4 times bigger and pictures you will get if you contact me in private.
Great Ben! Now you’ve put a crazy idea in my mind: creating a large poster with every reasonable (usable, current, obtainable) LEGO piece rendered in bley (or red) in some sensible order. Like opening all Bricklink catagories in Studio to scroll through, you could walk up to this poster and gaze over it to get inspiration.
For the record: I surely won’t be making this, but wouldn’t it be nice (if at all possible)?
This is cool! :)
@Roloff:
Two problems I see with this idea are that there are a bunch of parts that are color-locked (or at least not all available in any single color), and doing it this way would likely get someone's hopes up only to find out that the piece in question only comes in some bright, obnoxious color that doesn't blend well with whatever they need it for. The other is that, rendered lifesize, this list would probably fill the side of a Greyhound bus...including the windows.
@Roloff said:
"Great Ben! Now you’ve put a crazy idea in my mind: creating a large poster with every reasonable (usable, current, obtainable) LEGO piece rendered in bley (or red) in some sensible order. Like opening all Bricklink catagories in Studio to scroll through, you could walk up to this poster and gaze over it to get inspiration.
For the record: I surely won’t be making this, but wouldn’t it be nice (if at all possible)?"
Or, you could start with Tom Alphin's labels found at:
https://brickarchitect.com/labels/
Not all inclusive, but a terrific listing of most common parts.