Approximating Shapes with Standard and Custom 3D Printed LEGO Bricks

In this paper, we present a work-in-progress aimed at developing a pipeline for the fabrication of shapes reproducing digital models with a combination of standard LEGO bricks and 3D printed custom elements. The pipeline starts searching for the ideal alignment of the 3D model with the brick grid. It then employs a novel approach for shape "legolization" using a outside-in heuristic to limit critical configuration, and separates an external shell and an internal part. Finally, it exploits shape booleans to create the external custom parts to be 3D printed.