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Modular Portal Testing Chamber

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Modular Portal Testing Chamber

Hello, and welcome to the Aperture Science Computer-Aided Enrichment Center. The test chamber you are about to enter is highly modular.

Overview

One of my all-time favorite games is Portal 2, a puzzle game solved using orange and blue portals. Each puzzle (“test chamber”) is made of poseable panels, and has different interiors and dimensions depending on the test. This Lego Idea contains a set of elements you can use to build any test you want!

The modular nature of the set means tests can be built to any dimensions. Each interior element fits into the modular system I designed, meaning they can be swapped to any position in the test frame. Builders can create any test they can imagine!

If you have any tips or suggestions for what you’d like to see in this project, make sure to leave a comment! I will respond to it :)

Keep reading for details of the set proposal!


Specifics

The set consists of four main groups of elements: the modular frame, the interior details, the exterior details, and small builds and figures.

Modular Frame

The basic element of the modular system is the modular unit.


Connecting these modular units is how the faces of the chamber are constructed.


These modular elements allow faces to connect at right angles, vertically and horizontally. By combining modular faces with these right angle connectors, the chamber’s frame is created.



Interior Details
The inner details are the layer of elements that attach to the modular frame. Most of the set budget goes here. Let’s look at each interior detail!


Panels

The panels of Portal 2 are what inspired this whole project. I loved the way they moved into virtually any position. Just like in game, these panels are very poseable: they have seven degrees of rotation and two points of extension. A panel can reach more than three panels away from its base!



There are many features that attach to the faces of panels: interactive buttons, cameras, Wheatley screens, overgrown plant life, portals, maintenance rails, and various powered/unpowered wire and design variants. Portals cannot be placed on dark panels. The Chamberlock sign is a recent addition; though not shown, it has two large tiles where numbers (01) will be and 8 small tiles with the icons below it.



Interactive Details

The set is meant to be fun to play with, so I included some action features! Some of these are the crusher, which can move in and out, and the aerial faith plate, a catapult to launch figures into the air.


Modular Compatible

Finally, some interior details completely replace a modular unit. The chamberlock doors, an opening entrance/exit to the test chamber, and the observation room are two such details.


Exterior Details

You may have noticed that the chamberlock doors and observation room can fit minifigures! Both of these structures are accessed from the rear, using railing details.


These railings are part of the “support system” for maintaining and running between tests in game. By adding it to this Lego Idea, playability extends beyond the chamber! You can exit the chamberlock, walk along the railings, and take the elevator up to the observation room to discuss your results. And the modular nature of the elevator means that two separate tests can be united by an elevator from one to the other.

Figures and Secrets

Among the figure and small build selection are: Chell (with a new, full jumpsuit print), Bendy, Atlas and P-Body, companion cubes (two, using official Lego printed pieces), turrets (two regular, one defective, one rocket, and the parts to convert a cube into a frankenturret), Wheatley, and two portal guns. (These renders use stand-ins, as LDD does not have the official printed pieces).


In the game, hidden dens are scattered throughout tests, and if the player discovers them they may contain water, a radio, cake, PotatOS, a portrait of Cave Johnson, Hoopy the Hoop, and a Borealis life preserver.


Example Tests

With this large selection of compatible details and elements, you can create any test you could imagine! It could be overgrown, or just renovated and clean, or full of deadly pits; the choice is yours!


Modern Aperture


Wheatley Laboratories


Overgrown Front


Overgrown Back


Summary

This set proposal comes with ~2200 pieces, which are used to build up modular elements to create virtually any test you can imagine. As commentors pointed out, this set embodies the spirit of Lego creativity with limited supply.

To learn more about this Idea’s history and watch animations, go to our YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/DosBrosComix)

Thanks everyone! Stay Alive!


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