LEGO Print Creator

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LEGO Print Creator logo

LEGO Print Creator is a desktop publishing application designed for children. It was developed by The Bending Spoon in 2001 and published by LEGO Software. The program was included as a free bonus with certain releases of LEGO Media games or published with other activity programs starting in 2002.

Features

Certificate template editing
Certificate printout
The software's interface (top) and an example of a printable certificate created in it (bottom)

LEGO Print Creator can be used to design and print images using LEGO artwork and patterns. The program is limited to a single screen with a canvas; its design functions are limited to customising certain built-in templates. These templates allow for the creation of T-shirt iron-on transfers, CD labels, A4-sized posters, certificates, diary pages, calendars, bookmarks, height charts, business cards, letterheaded paper, invitations, and birthday cards. The user is able to customise each template by changing the background, applying border patterns, selecting images, and writing text. Patterns and images can be selected from a library included with the program, or users can select custom images from their hard drive. The size and position of images and text can be adjusted, and different pre-set layouts can be selected for certain templates. Completed projects can be printed if a printer is connected to the computer, or emailed if an email client is available.[1]

  • LEGO Print Creator running at 800×600 resolution

    LEGO Print Creator running at 800×600 resolution

  • Selecting a LEGO image for a poster

    Selecting a LEGO image for a poster

  • The program's text editor

    The program's text editor

  • A custom image loaded into the program

    A custom image loaded into the program

Development

The Bending Spoon logo
The Lost Highway logo
Logos for The Bending Spoon (left) and The Lost Highway (right)

LEGO Print Creator was developed and designed in 2001 by The Bending Spoon Limited,[2][3] a short-lived British software developer based in Norbury, London.[4] The company was incorporated on 8 January 2001 as AD2001 before changing to The Bending Spoon on 24 January, and it was dissolved on 29 October 2002. It was directed by producer Angela Sutherland and software engineer Andrew Stephen Fiore;[4] Sutherland had previously founded Perfect Entertainment (originally Teeny Weeny Games) in 1991.[5][6]

The program's unique art was created by The Lost Highway.[3] The LEGO image library featured in it uses art made for previous LEGO Media and Software titles.[7] These titles include LEGO Chess, LEGO Creator, LEGO Loco, LEGO Rock Raiders, LEGO Alpha Team, LEGO Creator: Knights' Kingdom, LEGO Stunt Rally, and LEGO Island 2. Bionicle character posters are also included, possibly tying into the cancelled LEGO Bionicle: The Legend of Mata Nui game.

Releases

The exact circumstances around the release of LEGO Print Creator are currently unknown, as no advertising for the program has been found outside of game released it was included with. Though its files and copyright are dated to 2001,[2] its earliest known releases are from 2002. Known releases include:

  • LEGO Island 2002 re-release by GSP Ltd.[8][7]
  • Creativity Club, released by Encore Software in 2002. The release featured three games: Curious George Paint & Print Studio, LEGO Print Creator, and Crayola Magic 3D Coloring Book: Fanciful Friends.[9]
  • "2 Title Compilation" release by Marks & Spencer (unknown year), containing LEGO Creator and LEGO Rock Raiders; LEGO Print Creator is included on the LEGO Rock Raiders disc.[10]

References

  1. ↑ LEGO Print Creator manual. 24 September 2001.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 LEGOPrintCreator.exe. Date modified: 02 November 2001. File version: 1.0.0.1.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 LEGO Print Creator credits (27 September 2001). "Developed and designed by The Bending Spoon Limited. Artwork by The Lost Highway." File path: graphics\intro\outrostill.bmp.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "THE BENDING SPOON LIMITED". CompaniesList.co.uk. Archived from the original on 28 November 2023.
  5. ↑ De la Fuente, Derek (June 1994). "Itsy Bitsy...". 32. Issue 1. Aceville Publications Limited. p. 28.
  6. ↑ De la Fuente, Derek (December 1996). "MudoDisco 2" (in Spanish). Micro Mania. Número 23. Hobby Press S.A. p. 71.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Ben24x7 (18 March 2018). "LEGO Print Creator". Rock Raiders United. Archived from the original on 7 October 2021.
  8. ↑ "PC Game Lego island - 2002 GSP e15+" eBay listing by dayo_849416. Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Photo archives: 1, 2. 3.
  9. ↑ Creativity Club™. EncoreSoftware.com. Archived from the original on 1 August 2003.
  10. ↑ "Lego PC CD Bundle Creator, Rock Raiders And Racers 2" eBay listing by midlandsretro. Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Photo archives: 1, 2, 3.

External links

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