Intro to LDraw System of Tools Scott Wardlaw

Intro to LDraw System of Tools Scott Wardlaw Member LSC June 18, 2010

Briefing Overview n n n n What is LDraw Building Digital Models Checking Part Movement Making Renderings Creating Instructions Purchasing Parts Help and Information 2 of 15 June 18, 2010

What is LDraw? n System of Computer Modeling Tools Open Standard for LEGO CAD Programs n First parts released to public in 1995 n Official specifications encourage development n Popular released tools include: MLCAD Brick. Smith LPub L 3 / L 3 PAO Many, many others n n Community of Developers Dedicated volunteers work behind the scenes: Part Authors Program Developers Business Public Relations n 3 of 15 June 18, 2010

Creating Digital Models n Computer Aided Design (CAD) n MLCAD (Windows OS) / Brick. Smith (Mac OS) 1 n 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 n n n Rendering n n Your models in life-like appearance Visualize new colors before purchase 4 of 15 June 18, 2010

CAD Software - MLCAD / Brick. Smith n MLCAD (Windows OS) n Create steps for instructions n Minifig generator Spring generator Flexible belt generator Flexible hose generator Mosaic generator Etc. etc. n n n Brick. Smith (Mac OS) n n Basic MLCAD features Create steps for instructions Minifig generator Functional Undo Button 5 of 15 June 18, 2010

CAD Add-On Tools (for Modelers) n Bitmap 2 Ldraw / Sticker Generator n n Txt 2 Dat n n Create new LDraw road plates Lemon n n Work only with the parts of the chosen color LEGO Road Macro n n Create an LDraw sticker part from text words Color Manager n n Create an LDraw sticker part from a bitmap image Create list of parts in a model that aren’t in another Peeron_to_MLCAD 18, 2010 LDraw 6 ofn 15 Helps in recreating official sets in. June

Testing Movement in LDraw n SR 3 D Builder n Similar to MLCAD w/ specific features n Part connection detection Selected connected parts move together Life-like movement of axles, hinges, gears, etc. Mirror building feature n n LD 4 Studio n n n 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 7 of 15 June 18, 2010

Rendering Your Model n L 3 P / L 3 PAO n Create POV-Ray code from LDraw models n Fine tune settings such as: n Camera angle n Light source(s) Floor and background Quality of render n n POV-Ray n Persistence of Vision – Ray tracer n Free high quality rendering tool LGEO n Add-on library to POV-Ray for better part rendering 8 of 15 June 18, 2010

Rendering Details n Adding Stickers n n Curve / Bend / Rotate n n Add lights where they would be in real life Floor and Background n n The real world isn’t flat and square – good scenes aren’t either! Light Sources n n Stickers add a surprising amount of realism Can be a specific color or image of your choice For Advanced Setup / Techniques: n See Tutorial on Brickshelf by user Koyan June 18, 2010 9 of 15

Creating Instructions n n LPub (LDraw Publisher) n Create instructions from predefined steps n Exportable to PDF file Build Steps n Placed in the model by MLCAD / Brick. Smith n Define which parts are added at each step Rotation Steps n Placed in the model by MLCAD / Brick. Smith n Define a new orientation of the model Sub Models n 10 of For building multiple copies of sections of June 18, 2010 a model 15

Brick. Link Marketplace and Stores n Brick. Link Collection of Stores n Over three thousand stores selling LEGO pieces! n Currently ~90 million pieces available for sale! n Over 2. 6 million different piece types / colors! n Picture / reference catalog of nearly every part, set, and minifig that LEGO has ever made n Extensive part / set search features n Keep wanted list of parts / sets / figs n Keep favorite list of sellers n Keep sellers honest with feedback system June 18, 2010 n Get notified when a rare part is available 11 of 15

Brick. Store – Inventory Software n n For Buyers / Model Builders n Imports LDraw Models to Brick. Link format n Gives pricing range information n Helps determine availability of pieces n Test price / availability of different colors n Printable parts list n Upload to Brick. Link wanted list For Sellers / Keeping Inventory n Part out sets for selling pieces n Set prices based on market averages n Upload to Bricklink store inventory 12 of 15 June 18, 2010

Getting Started with LDraw n Ready to Start / What to Do n Download LDraw ‘Get Started’ bundle of software n Follow the online instructions – Advanced setup Install of the add-ons – you may use them later Now start building models with MLCAD / Brick. Smith Get latest versions of the programs you use n n Ready for More Parts n n n Download unofficial parts from LDraw Parts. Tracker Get involved and create the LDraw part you need Get Brick. Link Account 13 of 15 June 18, 2010

Getting Help n Look for Tutorials n Holly-Wood. it has great MLCAD tutorials n LDraw. org has extensive documentation MLCAD / Brick. Smith websites n n Ask Questions n n Search LUGNET. com for answers Send an email to LDraw or software author 14 of 15 June 18, 2010

Discussion and Questions n n Discussion / Questions Now Go Create Something Really BIG! 15 of 15 June 18, 2010