Mindstorms Building Instructions

I've seen some really cool robots created over the past few years. Alot of times I try to emulate their creations and make them myself. The problem however is that I just can't seem to nail down exactly how the robot was put together.

Recently I stumbled upon a website that has a pretty creative idea of showcasing robots and giving users the exact instructions on how to build them. The website is called "Mindstorms Building Instructions."

Each creation that is featured is listed with a title, description, and full set of building instructions via Brickshelf. Furthermore, it is listed if that robot can be made with the usual 8527 kit. Then each set of instructions is rated in bricks on it's dificulty with one stud being the lowest and three the highest. Finally, there is a catagory for a NXT-Gprogram, if provided by the creator.

You can find the Mindstorms Building Instructions website at: http://ricquin.net/lego/instructions/

Get Inspired!

How many times have you found yourself sitting in front of a pile of Legos with not a single idea of what to build. Well, here are a few tips that can help keep the creative juices flowing and provide you with some inspiration.

Possibly the best method of inspiration I have ever heard of is the use of something called a "Morgue File." Originally it started out as a web designer's tool, but in my opinion it can also be used with Mindstorms NXT. The idea is simple, create a folder on your desktop called NXT Ideas. Whenever you are browsing the net and see an idea or robot that you think is cool, save that page or image in your NXT Ideas folder.

The idea is when your creativity "dies" you open up your morgue file and browse through all of the awesome ideas you have saved. One of these ideas is bound to inspire you and give you a great idea for your next robot.

A few creative sources include:
Youtube videos of NXT
The Official NXTLOG
Brickshelf NXT Galleries


So readers where do you get your inspiration from?
Leave a comment!

Sharing Your Creations

The NXTLOG is a fully moderated community set up on http://legomindstorms.com where users can share their creations with the rest of the world. The basic idea of the NXTLOG is to share your projects, archive the results, and get inspiration from other people's inventions.

The four step process to sharing your creations as described by Lego:

1. Build your project!
2. Document what you did. Take pictures, make notes, describe problems and how you overcame them.
3. Build your NXTLOG. Register with Lego and start a new project log. Post pictures, code, descriptions, notes, and programs for your new project. Tag your project so that others can find it easily. Finally, publish your NXTLOG for the rest of the world to see!
4. Check out your personal projects that are now online to share with everyone.

You can find the NXTLOG's and more information over at Lego's website: http://mindstorms.lego.com/NXTLOG/default.aspx