Intro to LDraw System of Tools

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Intro to LDraw System of Tools

• Scott Wardlaw
• Member LSC

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Briefing Overview

• What is LDraw
• Building Digital Models
• Checking Part Movement
• Making Renderings
• Creating Instructions
• Purchasing Parts
• Help and Information

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What is LDraw?

• System of Computer Modeling Tools
• Open Standard for LEGO CAD Programs
• First parts released to public in 1995
• Official specifications encourage development
• Popular released tools include
• MLCAD BrickSmith
• LPub L3 / L3PAO
• Many, many others
• Community of Developers
• Dedicated volunteers work behind the scenes
• Part Authors Program Developers
• Business Public Relations

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Creating Digital Models

• Computer Aided Design (CAD)
• MLCAD (Windows OS) / BrickSmith (Mac OS) 1
• Create all you want no parts to purchase
• (Almost) every part at your finger-tips
• Beyond real brick for fitment and orientation
• Focus and visualize only what you want
• Branch models without having to rebuild them
• Rendering
• Your models in life-like appearance
• Visualize new colors before purchase

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CAD Software - MLCAD / BrickSmith

• MLCAD (Windows OS)
• Create steps for instructions
• Minifig generator
• Spring generator
• Flexible belt generator
• Flexible hose generator
• Mosaic generator
• Etc. etc.
• BrickSmith (Mac OS)
• Basic MLCAD features
• Create steps for instructions
• Minifig generator
• Functional Undo Button

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CAD Add-On Tools (for Modelers)

• Bitmap2Ldraw / Sticker Generator
• Create an LDraw sticker part from a bitmap image
• Txt2Dat
• Create an LDraw sticker part from text words
• Color Manager
• Work only with the parts of the chosen color
• LEGO Road Macro
• Create new LDraw road plates
• Lemon
• Create list of parts in a model that arent in
  another
• Peeron_to_MLCAD
• Helps in recreating official sets in LDraw

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Testing Movement in LDraw

• SR3D Builder
• Similar to MLCAD w/ specific features
• Part connection detection
• Selected connected parts move together
• Life-like movement of axles, hinges, gears, etc.
• Mirror building feature
• LD4 Studio
• Designed for Creating Movies from LDraw Models
• Animation playback and manual control
• Add lights and multiple camera angles
• Powerful customizable POV-Ray export
• Export to LDraw file after movement
• Real-time motion / camera editing

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Rendering Your Model

• L3P / L3PAO
• Create POV-Ray code from LDraw models
• Fine tune settings such as
• Camera angle
• Light source(s)
• Floor and background
• Quality of render
• POV-Ray
• Persistence of Vision Ray tracer
• Free high quality rendering tool
• LGEO
• Add-on library to POV-Ray for better part
  rendering

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Rendering Details

• Adding Stickers
• Stickers add a surprising amount of realism
• Curve / Bend / Rotate
• The real world isnt flat and square good
  scenes arent either!
• Light Sources
• Add lights where they would be in real life
• Floor and Background
• Can be a specific color or image of your choice
• For Advanced Setup / Techniques
• See Tutorial on Brickshelf by user Koyan

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Creating Instructions

• LPub (LDraw Publisher)
• Create instructions from predefined steps
• Exportable to PDF file
• Build Steps
• Placed in the model by MLCAD / BrickSmith
• Define which parts are added at each step
• Rotation Steps
• Placed in the model by MLCAD / BrickSmith
• Define a new orientation of the model
• Sub Models
• For building multiple copies of sections of a
  model

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BrickLink Marketplace and Stores

• BrickLink Collection of Stores
• Over three thousand stores selling LEGO pieces!
• Currently 90 million pieces available for sale!
• Over 2.6 million different piece types / colors!
• Picture / reference catalog of nearly every part,
  set, and minifig that LEGO has ever made
• Extensive part / set search features
• Keep wanted list of parts / sets / figs
• Keep favorite list of sellers
• Keep sellers honest with feedback system
• Get notified when a rare part is available for
  sale
• Buying and selling has never been so easy!

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BrickStore Inventory Software

• For Buyers / Model Builders
• Imports LDraw Models to BrickLink format
• Gives pricing range information
• Helps determine availability of pieces
• Test price / availability of different colors
• Printable parts list
• Upload to BrickLink wanted list
• For Sellers / Keeping Inventory
• Part out sets for selling pieces
• Set prices based on market averages
• Upload to Bricklink store inventory

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Getting Started with LDraw

• Ready to Start / What to Do
• Download LDraw Get Started bundle of software
• Follow the online instructions Advanced setup
• Install all of the add-ons you may use them
  later
• Now start building models with MLCAD / BrickSmith
• Get latest versions of the programs you use
• Ready for More Parts
• Download unofficial parts from LDraw PartsTracker
• Get involved and create the LDraw part you need
• Get BrickLink Account
• Sorry, must be at least 18 (or a parent)
• Recommend a PayPal account for easy payment

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Getting Help

• Look for Tutorials
• Holly-Wood.it has great MLCAD tutorials
• LDraw.org has extensive documentation
• MLCAD / BrickSmith websites
• Ask Questions
• Search LUGNET.com for answers
• Send an email to LDraw or software author

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Discussion and Questions

• Discussion / Questions
• Now Go Create Something Really BIG!