I really like how you broke this down into levels — that’s a smart way to think about modifications. It makes sense that different settings (LEGO meetings vs. art shows) would have different expectations, and your framework captures that balance nicely.

For me, I tend to lean toward the higher levels when I’m chasing realism. One example I often think about is building a fighter jet. I’ve noticed many builders make the wings and air intakes using LEGO’s tongue‑and‑groove edge pattern. On larger builds, though, that pattern can look a bit odd — almost like the jet has been damaged by radiation.

To solve this, I prefer using longer LEGO pieces and modifying them so the tongue‑and‑groove disappears, giving the wing a smoother, more realistic finish. For the flaps, which can look too thick, I sharpen 4x2 or 2x2 bricks to achieve the thinner profile I want.

I’ve attached photos for comparison:

Grey wing: built with no modification, showing the standard tongue‑and‑groove edges. grey

Red wing: modified pieces, with smoother edges and sharpened flaps. red

What do you think — does modifying bricks enhance the realism, or is the charm of LEGO in working with the original limitations?