[{"element_type":"text","content":"\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n        \u003cp\u003eJohn Park wrote an excellent guide \u003ca title=\"Lego Set Lighting\" href=\"https://learn.adafruit.com/lego-set-lighting\"\u003eLego Set Lighting\u003c/a\u003e. I used this guide to light up the LEGO Christmas Tree (set #\u003cspan\u003e40573) making the candles flicker away. My problem was how do I hide the electronics running everything.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI had the idea to design and build a LEGO model in the shape of a present, but the question was how. \u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt turns out there is an easily accessible CAD program and method of ordering parts (maybe too easy!).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n      \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n","metadata":{}},{"element_type":"user_image","content":"https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/user_assets/assets/000/000/568/original/tree.png?1704333081","metadata":{"caption":""}},{"element_type":"text","content":"\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n        \u003cp\u003eThe first step is to get \u003ca href=\"https://www.bricklink.com/v3/studio/download.page\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBrickLink Studio 2.0\u003c/a\u003e. This CAD program is intuitive to use, includes almost all bricks available, and features to test your model strength, render 3D visuals of it, view what parts you use and even generate instructions on how to build your model. This is not a guide on how to use Studio 2.0, but it includes a built in tutorial that makes getting started a breeze.\u003c/p\u003e\n      \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n","metadata":{}},{"element_type":"user_image","content":"https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/user_assets/assets/000/000/567/original/studio2.0.png?1704332464","metadata":{"caption":"Studio 2.0 with a model of a present"}},{"element_type":"alert","content":"You will need a free BrickLink account for the following steps","metadata":{"class":"element row-fluid alert-element build-alert alert-info","alert_type":"info"}},{"element_type":"text","content":"\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n        \u003cp\u003eThe first step in the process is to generate a list of parts. Under the \u003cstrong\u003eModel\u003c/strong\u003e menu you will find \u003cstrong\u003eModel Info\u003c/strong\u003e. This screen will show you everything used in your project and include a button \u003cstrong\u003eAdd to Wanted List\u003c/strong\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n      \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n","metadata":{}},{"element_type":"user_image","content":"https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/user_assets/assets/000/000/569/original/order.png?1704333516","metadata":{"caption":"Viewing the parts you used"}},{"element_type":"text","content":"\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n        \u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eAdd to Wanted List\u003c/strong\u003e button will open up a browser window and take you to a page where you upload your part list. The list can be named or you can add it to an existing list.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNext you verify the items uploaded to ensure what you uploaded is valid (which it should be).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the next screen you can change quantities and set options to notify you if a rare brick is becomes available. For my simple design this was not an issue but for some fancy and rare pieces finding them may be more difficult.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinally select \u003cstrong\u003eAdd to Wanted List \u003c/strong\u003eat the bottom of the webpage.\u003c/p\u003e\n      \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n","metadata":{}},{"element_type":"user_image","content":"https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/user_assets/assets/000/000/570/original/order2.png?1704333819","metadata":{"caption":"Raw XML upload exported directly from Studio 2.0."}},{"element_type":"user_image","content":"https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/user_assets/assets/000/000/571/original/order3.png?1704334005","metadata":{"caption":"The uploaded list, waiting for any last minute tweaks."}},{"element_type":"text","content":"\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n        \u003cp\u003eAfter a final success screen you can view your uploaded part list. From here you can maintain your list, but there is a new button \u003cstrong\u003eBuy All\u003c/strong\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePressing that brings you to a new screen to start helping you find and buy all the bricks you require.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n      \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n","metadata":{}},{"element_type":"text","content":"\n  \n  \n  \n  \n        \u003cp\u003eOn the buying screen you can filter by regions, currency and other items you may care about. There is then a button \u003cstrong\u003eAuto-select\u003c/strong\u003e. This button will proceed to search all the registered stores that provide bricks and find you the cheapest price. If you are using common bricks this may return just one store, but for rare items you may have to buy from several stores.\u003c/p\u003e\n      \n\n\n\n","metadata":{}},{"element_type":"user_image","content":"https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/user_assets/assets/000/000/572/original/buy1.png?1704334258","metadata":{"caption":"The initial buy screen where you can select options on where you want the site to search for bricks."}},{"element_type":"user_image","content":"https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/user_assets/assets/000/000/573/original/buy2.png?1704334266","metadata":{"caption":"Showing which store has the bricks I require (in this case Brickbrothers2016) and the cost"}},{"element_type":"text","content":"\n  \n  \n  \n        \u003cp\u003eAfter you have found store(s) with what you need the rest of the process works like a normal purchase transaction. After you choose to buy the stores will calculate the final shipping costs and send you an invoice.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs an example my Christmas gift model had 51 bricks, and I added a few duplicates (just in case). My total was around $6 for the bricks and $5 shipping.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll that is left is to wait for your delivery, build your custom LEGO model and install your electronics inside.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n      \n\n\n","metadata":{}},{"element_type":"user_image","content":"https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/user_assets/assets/000/000/574/original/parts.png?1704334762","metadata":{"caption":"A few days later all the bricks I ordered arrived"}},{"element_type":"user_image","content":"https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/user_assets/assets/000/000/576/original/gift2.png?1704334783","metadata":{"caption":"The gift is built and the electronics placed inside."}},{"element_type":"user_image","content":"https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/user_assets/assets/000/000/575/original/gift1.png?1704334771","metadata":{"caption":"The final gift in position hiding most of the electronics (except the wires)."}}]