[John Santore]

I haven’t done LegoGPT, but I have done a few things with ChatGPT (probably need to mess with studio.io as wwell). Once I have more time. No, I have not built this yet, but if you are curious, here’s the start of some AI related design help:

ChatGPT:
Ok help me design a moc of the edmund fitzgerald. Assume > 4000 pieces

Awesome — building a >4000-piece LEGO MOC of the Edmund Fitzgerald is an ambitious and visually striking project. You’ll be working with a long, narrow hull, clean deck lines, and rich maritime detail. Here’s how we can break it down:

Design Strategy for the Edmund Fitzgerald MOC

1. Scale and Dimensions
The Fitzgerald was 729 feet long. To work with LEGO scale:
1 stud ≈ 1 foot gives you a ~729-stud model (about 5.8 feet long — huge!)
You can also choose 1 stud ≈ 2 feet for a ~365-stud model (about 3 feet long)
For >4000 pieces, 3–5 feet long with interior bracing and fine detail is ideal.

2. Core Structure and Layers
A. Internal Frame
Technic beams and bricks for a rigid internal skeleton
Use vertical Technic bricks with pins to lock bulkheads into place
Reinforce the baseplate with staggered support rails
B. Hull
SNOT (studs-not-on-top) for curved sides
Use wedge plates, curved slopes, and hinge plates for smooth hull contour
Symmetrical port/starboard sections built as mirrored modules
C. Superstructure & Details
Long central deck with vent stacks, hatches, and deck cranes
White-painted bridge with red lifeboats, radar gear, and small railings
Rear crew quarters and smokestack with color striping
3. Build Sections
Section Details
Bow Tall curved structure, anchor chains, anchor ports, railings
Main Deck Hatches, cranes, access ladders, rigging
Bridge Windows, radar, lifeboats, antennas
Aft Section Funnel/smokestack, rear navigation lights, nameplate
Keel & Bottom Hull Internal framing, Technic liftarms for structure
4. Color Palette
Dark red hull (bottom)
Medium nougat or dark orange for upper hull (as per the real ship’s faded paint)
White bridge and deck accents
Black and light grey for structure and trim
Pearl gold or dark tan for rust/weathering if desired
5. Advanced Features (Optional)
Interior structure (engine room, cargo holds)
Breakaway section (for educational display of the wreck)
LED lighting for deck and bridge
Microscale crew figures or display stand
6. Software & Tools
Stud.io for digital design and rendering
BrickLink to source rare or specific parts
Brick Owl or Rebrickable to manage inventory
I can help translate sketches or ideas into part lists and digital instructions

Would you like to start with:
A basic layout diagram?
A section-by-section part list?
Or a scaled rendering concept to plan dimensions?

Let’s make the Fitzgerald worthy of her legend.

All three of those
…
Here’s a scaled rendering concept to help you plan dimensions for your Edmund Fitzgerald MOC:
Estimated size: approximately 114 x 12 studs
This is scaled for a 3-foot (36-inch) long model

Here’s a detailed **section-by-section breakdown** for your full-detail Edmund Fitzgerald MOC. Each section includes estimated part counts and key types of LEGO bricks you’ll need. Let me know if you want help converting this into a BrickLink parts list or building specific modules in Stud.io.

Section Estimated Parts Key Brick Types
Bow Structure 300 Curved slopes, wedges, plates
Main Hull Sides 800 Bricks, slopes, tiles (SNOT)
Keel & Base Support 600 Technic beams, liftarms, pins
Main Deck Surface 500 Tiles, plates, grill tiles
Cargo Hatches & Cranes 300 Grill plates, hoses, clips
Bridge & Superstructure 400 Windscreens, white bricks, tiles
Aft Section & Crew Quarters 350 Bricks, small windows, railings
Smokestack Assembly 150 Round bricks, black/red tiles
Interior Bracing (Technic Frame) 800 Liftarms, connectors, support beams
Display Stand/Base 200 Large plates, supports, nameplate tiles

Can you actually create an image of the edmund fitzgerald as lego? Like not a rendering or plan, but an actual final version

Attachments:

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[John Santore]

@josh

Sir! I think we crossed paths at BNYMellon years ago! Welcome.

Let see, I was there from ’07-’13, I did distributed systems capacity and performance, and then UNIX production support. I think 4th floor (if I recall, maybe it was 7th floor) in the CGC. Lifetime ago, it seems.

[John Santore]

There *is* another franchise coming in the Cranberry/Zelienople area. That’s not me though, that’s Elliott. Good dude. He and I went to some of the franchise meetings together. I am not sure of his timing, nor do I want to speak for him, but I look forward to working with him.

So in theory, there will be stores near two turnpike exits. My wife suggested a billboard: “LEGO, next two exits!”

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