Line Theme Creator Free

[Ottavia Delamar]

Fromaround 2010 onwards, the designs of Creator 3in1 models does feel like it's suitable for AFOLs, though I am not sure if AFOLs are actually interested in it or not. I think the limited color selection does not make it less desirable, if not more if you compare with with today's Creator 3in1 sets, which a lot of them is just a vomit of colors (I mean that in the most neutral way). And the limited color selection also helps in easily identifying which sets have more of a certain color when building MOCs.

In terms of using more basic and generic parts, I don't really think that's the case too, because who could get enough of bricks :D. Also, a lot of the times, I find that basic bricks are very important for many types of MOCs, and if they are not into building MOCs, I don't see why this is a problem.

I do find that Creator 3in1 is presented in a more child-oriented way especially with it's 3in1 thingy, even more so today, which may get AFOLs to assume that it's a kids theme and not look further into it. But then, the Creator 3in1 sets of the past has got stuff like houses, cars and rigs, which are all AFOL stuff, and those have equally cool alternate models, as compared to today, so I am not very sure.

I can't really relate to other AFOLs, cause I got a weird taste myself, but I don't mind Creator playsets using preexisting minifigure prints and parts. It makes it feel a lot more LEGO-ey and sort of purer in some way, knowing that there is no special print or element can help get you to focus on the overall build itself. I think that Creator 3in1 has quite a wide range of themes and genres, from houses, cars, robots, animals, etc. Of course, not all of them is to everyone's taste but if I see a cool house or car, I'll be sure to pick one up.

Generally, I would assume that due to Creator 3in1 having a more child-oriented design and scheme, that might cause AFOLs to not take the theme too seriously, and the designs of today's Creator 3in1 set does not help either (I really do not like the recent Creator 3in1 designs ). Plus, it also covers such a broad amount of subjects with no single focal point (for example, Ninjago is about ninjas), and each subject is geared towards a different audience, so in the end there isn't much to be said about the theme in general.

I've picked up a few 3-in-1 sets over the years, sometimes to fill out my bricks of a certain color but usually because a particular build really appealed to me. I tend to like the "outdoorsy" themed ones like the Lakeside Lodge or Treehouse Adventures--you don't get many wilderness scenes unless the Police or Fire sub-themes are tied in somehow.

But overall, if AFOLs don't go for 3-in-1 sets, it might be because they come across a little generic. What's happening in this set? Not much, you just build it (and then take it apart and build it again, and then take it apart and build it again), and then...there it is! Sitting there! Most of the City-type 3-in-1 sets depict minifigures going about their daily life, which is fine in itself, but when you're an adult, you already do that stuff for real all the time, without the medium of LEGO. Building a simple ice cream shop is not as enthralling when you have the option to go to a real ice cream shop any day you please. If I got to go camping as often as I'd like, the outdoor sets probably wouldn't interest me as much as they do.

Another point is that the requirement of including a parts selection that can become three different, but thematically related, builds is limiting in its way. You'll never get something as sleek and impressive as the Modular buildings from a 3-in-1. The brick-built animals often look clunky and weird because their parts have to sub in for two different animals. Some of the vehicle ones are pretty nice (speaking as someone who's not really into vehicle builds), but they also tend to be very small.

I'm quite fond of Creator 3-in-1, actually. I think of it as a slightly more advanced version of City, more than as a distinct theme in its own right, but its series of minifig scaled airplanes and boats over the last few years has been outstanding. I also appreciate the mini-scale and midi-scale cars and aircraft like those in this year's shuttle transporter. I admit I'm not particularly interested in the brick built animals or most of the buildings, but I think they're nice sets that demonstrate the ideals of Lego very well, and I'm glad they sell consistently enough to earn a place in the product line year after year.

Overall, I have no major problems with the theme. It just doesn't often stand out as something I'd buy, much like the City theme (with exceptions for interesting minifigures and animal molds).

I think that the Creator 3-in-1 theme could and should be improved. The concept of the theme can be revisited. It seems that the concept is to be very basic and cheap to produce. Throwing a little more money at it could result in a lot more sales. That's my thought, anyways. And of course, these things may only serve to make the theme more appealing to me. I'm sure LEGO's market research indicates that the theme as it exists currently is the most profitable.

Creator used to be my favourite themes due to its cool rebuilding possibilities, but sadly I cannot remember the last time I really wanted to buy one of the models. I don't know exactly why, but the theme seems to have lost some of its appeal to me. I simply do not find the current models as appealing as the older Creator and Designer sets, both the main model and the alternatives from a design perspective. One thing I have noticed is that I find it harder to come up with interesting alternative models now than before because of an inventory that seems to have more big and specialized parts limiting rebuilding possibilities. The inclusion of minifigures now also dictates more the scale the models and the alternatives are designed in, which could be another limiting factor.

Of course the Creator line also has a difficult position because there are currently so many other product lines that overlap/ compete with Creator models. Considering that Creator still contains more basic bricks than other lines (except for the Creator Expert line), they look more simplistic, less realistic and might therefore also be less appealing to the majority. My feeling is that Creator has a bit of an identity crisis at the moment, not knowing exactly its roll in the overall portfolio. I think that this is the biggest problem.

Nooooooope, not for me. The lack of huge / specialized pieces is the best thing about these sets imo. So sick of all the specialized pieces in City that make every set look samey (ie that godforsaken helicopter canopy)

I quiet like the theme as is, but I'd like to see more non-City style larger sets. Especially for orphaned themes like Castle or Pirates, where you could do really fun stuff without the cost of supporting a full lineup.

I really like the Creator Three-In-One series. All the airplanes, helicopters, robots, and dinosaur sets have been totally awesome IMO. It might be underappreciated by other AFOLs who don't realize how great the sets are. But for me it's probably my favorite series due to it being a more "real Lego" experience for these reasons:

I think some of them are absolutely awesome, for example, Model Town House Apple Tree House, Family Home, Family House, Hillside House, Bike Shop and Caf, etc. I think some of them are very good, for example, Seaside / Beach House and Corner Deli. I think some are quite good, for example, Toy and Grocery Store.

Just based on the residential and commercial Creator 3 in 1 sets, they appear to have gotten a lot more simplistic and unrealistic. They're no longer fully-enclosed, instead being open-back City style, and they're just ... messy with the "pre-fabricated" wall sections. So, they've definitely lost their appeal to me.

But, the upcoming Pet Shop and Caf, although featuring two businesses of which there are already an over abundance in Lego City, does seem to be getting back on track (at least from the very fuzzy pictures available to date).

For me, the buildings aren't modulars, so not really that interesting. Some of the minifig scale vehicles are OK if you want that particular vehicle but I tend to stick with the City ones. They are good sets for kids, as there is a lot of build value in them.

If they did a (classic) space 3-in-1, then even though it is not licensed, it is somewhat dictating the builds you can do with the set. But then, that is already fairly common across the range anyway. For example, if a kid has this set:

it would not surprise me if they made the three sea creature builds and not much else and possibly play with the fish swimming them around. Is that any better / worse than a kid having a Star Wars set and using their imagination to act out a storyline? For the creator set, there is more build experience but I think less play and display possibility, whereas for a 1-build licensed set, there is less build experience but more play and display value. So I guess it depends what you want out of a set.

I love the Creator 3 in 1 sets. I don't tend to just leave a set together forever - I like taking them apart, rebuilding, and I love alt builds (both the ones from Lego, and ones available at rebrickable.com or on YouTube). I sometimes make my own alt builds as well. My favorite creator sets are:

Of course the Expert line will look better, but also is at a much higher price class (even while it's at a lower price per part), however I hardly see the 40%+ discounts on those sets compared to 3-in-1.

The use of existing prints, color selection and basic/relatively common pieces are the biggest deterring factor as an MOCer who frequently selects sets based off price per piece and versatility/abundance or rarity (to me) of the included pieces.

But the content of the sets is usually fantastic, the builds always look fun and the fact that they can be made into 3 equally interesting builds is something remarkable. Even if I don't get many Creator 3 in 1s they are always something I inspect and wish I could build all of them.

3a8082e126