LEGO Print Creator
LEGO Print Creator is a simple desktop publishing application developed by The Bending Spoon and published by LEGO Software in 2001. The program was included as a free bonus with certain releases of LEGO Media games or published with other activity programs in 2002.
Features
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]
Development
LEGO Print Creator was developed and designed by The Bending Spoon Limited,[2] a short-lived British software developer based in Norbury, London.[3] The company was incorporated on 8 January 2001 as AD2001 before changing to The Bending Spoon on 24 January. It was directed by producer Angela Sutherland and software engineer Andrew Stephen Fiore;[3] Sutherland had previously founded Perfect Entertainment (originally Teeny Weeny Games) in 1991.[4][5] The Bending Spoon was dissolved on 29 October 2002.[3]
The program's unique art was created by The Lost Highway.[2] The LEGO image library featured in it uses art made for previous LEGO Media and Software titles.[6] 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.
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, its earliest known releases are from 2002. Known releases include:
- "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.[7]
- LEGO Island 2002 re-release by GSP Ltd.[8][6]
- 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]
References
- ↑ LEGO Print Creator manual. 24 September 2001.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 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.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "THE BENDING SPOON LIMITED". CompaniesList.co.uk. Archived from the original on 28 November 2023.
- ↑ De la Fuente, Derek (June 1994). "Itsy Bitsy...". 32. Issue 1. Aceville Publications Limited. p. 28.
- ↑ De la Fuente, Derek (December 1996). "MudoDisco 2" (in Spanish). Micro Mania. Número 23. Hobby Press S.A. p. 71.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Ben24x7 (18 March 2018). "LEGO Print Creator". Rock Raiders United. Archived from the original on 7 October 2021.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ Creativity Club™. EncoreSoftware.com. Archived from the original on 1 August 2003.
External links
- Download LEGO Print Creator (version 1.0.0.1) on the Internet Archive
