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TXT2DAT integrated in LDPC 1.7.7 |
Posted by: Gabriel Läufer - 2025-09-10, 20:44 - Forum: Parts Author Tools
- Replies (4)
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Hi everyone,
Hi Nils,
To accelerate the sticker and pattern generation process, I’ve got some exciting news for you!
No idea how many of you are still actively using the command-line tool “txt2dat” and/or the GUI interface “GUITx2d,” or if you’ve simply using LDPE for the character triangulation.
Even though I haven’t had to use it very often til today, I think this is a missing feature in LDPC. I really like LDPC, but so far it doesn’t support character triangulation. I have to use a another program to generate the characters and then import them into LDPC for further processing.
Since GUITx2d is somewhat outdated, the source and executable files are no longer generally available, and the program is no longer actively maintained, I’ve decided to rewrite it and integrate it into LDPC.
In Image 1.1, you can see the GUITx2d dialog box integrated into the latest LDPC project from Niels. You can launch TXT2DAT by clicking on the corresponding menu item in the menu strip, which then opens the GUITx2d dialog box.
Image 1.1: Project GUITx2d integrated into LDPC 1.7.7 in Visual Studio
Although debugging is still in progress, the program is relatively stable and (almost) all features are functioning as intended (see Image 1.2).
Image 1.2 GUITx2d integrated in LDPC 1.7.7 with triangulated text example
As with the old GUITx2d program, the new one simply sends commands to the command line. Hence, the program only generates the *.DAT file, which can then be loaded into LDPC. It’s not the most elegant solution, but it works.
All switches and options from TXT2DAT have been implemented, but I’ve already started adding a few new features. I’ve included the previously missing sticker bottom, which can be optionally removed. The color picker displays the names of the selected colors, and you can also triangulate characters individually -similar to the functionality found in LDPE.
For now, I’ve ignored the fact that some options don’t make much sense when the program is integrated into LDPC -for example, the description field or the file name.
The development is not finished right now but I guess 80% of the workis done.
In case Niels is not willing to integrate my GUITx2d project into LDPC in a future release, we at least have an updated standalone version of it, which can be further improved over time. Since it already runs independently, no additional work is required at this point.
What’s your take on this? Are you still actively using TXT2DAT or GUITx2d? Would you be interested in seeing it integrated with LDPC? Do you think I should move forward with the project? If there’s anything you’re missing or any feature you’d like to see added, feel free to let me know. I’d really appreciate your feedback!
@Nils: I could totally understand if you don't want to include my code, but I'm happy to help where I can if you do.
Thanks
Gabe
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Part versioning |
Posted by: Peter Blomberg - 2025-09-06, 2:37 - Forum: Official File Specifications/Standards
- Replies (4)
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Currently, part versioning is done by appending the part number with a letter. The same letters are also used when two designs have the same part number and when a bag contains multiple independent parts. This makes it impossible to automatically determine correct matches to e.g. external resources.
Having the links to external resources as separate meta is useful in particular when the external resources use different numbers or extensions. However, this doesn't solve the whole issue.
Can we begin using v2, v3, etc instead of b, c, d for cases when a "b/c/d replacement file" is created? This would enable all incorrect old versions of the part be available for backward compatibility, but allow new corrections to be distinguished from other uses.
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Connectivity meta |
Posted by: Peter Blomberg - 2025-09-03, 7:21 - Forum: Official File Specifications/Standards
- Replies (5)
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I found a thread from 2015 where connectivity was discussed. I also know that both stud.io and LDcad encode connectivity.
Would LDraw files benefit from having connectivity metadata?
There are a relatively small number of connection types. More than LDcad uses, but small enough to be enumerated.
Studs go into stud holders, antistuds go into antistud holders, clips (bar holders) can be radial or axial when attached to bars.
The majority of snapping connections can be described by a point and a direction vector, so effectively the same as a LDraw type 1 line. The type of connector can be in the subfile argument. If the connector types match and the directions vectors align, then the connection can snap into place, meaning that the points are made to overlap by adjusting one.
Sliding connectors (bars) need two points, which can be encoded as a point and a vector or similar to type 2 lines. Bar holders come in two flavors; those that attach radially (c-clips) and those that attach axially (o-clips and bar holes). The c-clips require another direction vector.
Hinge connectors also need a point and an axis of rotation, which can be encoded as a type 1 line. If an additional direction vector is available, then the hinge halves can be made to not overlap one another.
Ball connectors need a point and would benefit from knowing which way (direction) is definitively inappropriate (directional vectors must not overlap).
Many generic clipping connectors are adequately described by a single point.
Gears are a challenge, because there are two things to consider; the distance between rotational axes, and the toothing. Some gear pairs can connect slightly too close to each other and some gear pairs can connect very loosely without loosing function. So, snapping to a "perfect" distance is not an option. The software must calculate if any two gears interact or not.
As for the rotation, the minimum information is a point for the axis, an axial vector, and a reference point on the teethed perimeter.
Sometimes gears do not connect to other gears, but toothed shapes. The teethed path can be described by a set of line segments. The direction of the teeth can be described by a vector. The position of teeth relative to the line can be described by a reference point along that line.
The above is the information needed for each of the parts that interact. It is then up to the software to use that information to calculate the nature of the interaction.
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