Use Swooshable's LEGO data
Swooshable's primary missions is to make you a better LEGO builder. A big part of that includes collecting, analyzing and building things with LEGO data. But Swooshable isn't Facebook - I want other people to benefit from this too! Swooshable shares the data in a few different forms. If you need what I have in another form, please get in touch and we'll work something out.
Techies, that goes for you as well. It's much better if I build a proper API instead of you scraping the entire site.
Photo by Aistė Kančauskaitė
API endpoints
In the future I'm planning to build a proper API, but I'm not sure when I get to it. However, I'm no stranger to creating custom endpoints if it's for a good cause. We have a custom integration for Brickset.com so that they can use our instruction data, for instance. If you want to use any data let me know and I might be able to do the same for you. Here are most of the things we keep track of:
- Building instructions: Swooshable checks 6-7 different instruction repositories to make it easier to find instructions for a given set. It is used by Brickset to get a list of instruction sources.
- LEGO parts: I've programmatically deconstructed LEGO Digital Designer, LDraw and Mecabricks to make it easier to see in what programs a part is available. In addition to this I index Brickset, Bricklink and Rebrickable to get a comprehensive view. Brickset use this data on their parts page.
- Part colors: Based on a list by Ryan Howerter.
- Building techniques: Swooshable houses one of the best collection of SNOT techniques and LEGO fonts. I'm working on compiling similar lists for other technique areas.
- Locations: LUGs, LEGOLANDs, LEGO Brand Stores and other geographical LEGO related locations. Comes from many different sources.
- Events: Mainly shows, conventions and meetups collected from Brickjournal's calendar and LEGO Ambassador Network.
- Resources around the net: Various articles, instructions and tools collected and indexed.
Map and calendar embeds
Swooshable is closing down the event calendar and location map. LEGO Ambassador Network does a fine job keeping track of all these things, and since they're doing that I can focus on the building aspects of the site. This means you cannot embed calendars and maps anymore - the ones you currently have embedded will stop working some time in the future.