MOC and Diorama Guides
A MOC is a build of your own design. These guides cover the techniques, the diorama craft that makes a scene read as real, how to customize and weather figures, and how to photograph and share the result.
Shop bulk bricks, base plates, and builds.
MOC basics
Start with what a MOC is, then with what to buy so the first one does not stall halfway.
- What Is a MOC Build?: a beginner's guide to custom brick creations.
- Minifigure Glossary: MOC, kitbashing, diorama, loadout and army building defined in one place.
- 15 MOC Ideas for Beginners: easy first builds that finish in an evening.
- How to Design a MOC from Scratch: beginner to pro, in order.
- MOC Building Techniques Every Builder Should Know: the handful that change what you can build.
- How Many Minifigures Do You Need for a City MOC?: the figure count that makes a scene look inhabited.
- Buying Bulk Bricks for MOCs: plate, brick and slope packs that build fast.
- Bricks for Returning Adult Builders: where to restart after years away.
- How to Share Your MOC Online: posting it so builders actually see it.
Military dioramas
A diorama is a scene, not a shelf. Terrain, posing and scale are what sell it.
- How to Build a Military Minifigure Diorama: figures, vehicles and scene tips.
- How to Build a Realistic Battlefield Diorama: a beginner's guide from bare plate to finished scene.
- How to Build a Military Base MOC: step by step, with the layout decided first.
- How to Make Realistic Terrain: ground, rubble and vegetation at minifigure scale.
- How to Add Water Effects: rivers, beaches and shell holes without a mess.
- Forced Perspective and Scale Tricks: making a small build read as a big place.
- How to Pose Military Minifigures for Battle Scenes: stance, spacing and sightlines.
- Building an Accurate D-Day Diorama: the loadout you need, and the one to leave out.
Customizing and weathering
Paint, wear and props are how a stock figure becomes yours.
- What Paint Works Best on Minifigures?: the full customizing guide, covering paints, primers, tools, safe glue, stripping prints and sealing the finish.
- Customizing with Weapons, Gear and Props: changing a figure without painting it.
- How to Weather Minifigures for a Battle-Worn Look: dirt and wear that stops short of looking damaged.
- How to Make Custom Minifigure Decals: insignia and markings at this scale.
- How to Attach Accessories to Minifigures: tips for pieces that will not stay put.
Photography, stop motion, tabletop
Once the build is done, this is how other people see it.
- Minifigure Photography: How to Take Epic Toy Photos: lighting, angle and depth of field.
- How to Photograph Minifigures Like a Pro: the setup, with a phone or a camera.
- Minifigures for Stop-Motion Filmmakers: which figures hold a pose frame to frame.
- Minifigures for Content Creators: props for video and photography.
More hubs: Beginner Guides, Military by Era, Army Building, Care and Display.