Hi all.

After a (really good) ideas exchange with Ben Supnik (thanks Ben!), I partially redesign my program connection model and strategy.

I think it can be useful to other programmers/coders that works with LDraw library, so I wrote a brief manual that explain how model works.

Now, adding a connection type and an autodetect strategy using LDraw primitives don't requires to change program code, but only a configuration file.

Manual is here (PDF, english).
Here you can download the latest connection database (as a zip file).

To edit connection I built a sketchy editor, really basic:
- connection editor as a "portable" package
- connection editor source code

Feel free to comment/use this work.
I released free to LDraw community.

Mario

NB: from october 2015 this software become unmaintained. No updates, no bugfixes, no support.
I'm sorry for that, but my time is really limited, so I prefer return back to a simple user and LEGO builder.
This software costs over a year of work, but due to lack of interest it is better to use my time for other activities.
Sorry again.

(original message follows)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi all.

I'm pleased to announce:
JBrickBuilder
a LEGO builder in Java for LDraw part library.



Program is in beta and it is completed at 60%, so most functions are planned but absent in this release.

I use a connection database I built to allow "snapping" of parts when you move a brick near another. For some connection type program also align part with receiving part, so building winged or "snotted" model is not so difficult.

Connection database is in zip form and downloaded at first start. It is far from complete, but constantly grows: in last release it contains over 480 parts (decorated parts uses same connection of plain parts, so minifig torso is one part in connection database, but it is used for all 300 torso in library, so probably working parts are a lot more) and program is able to auto-detect connections for lots of parts.

When connection does not work, you always fall back on "placing grid", a plane that use snap and orientation to place parts.

Program is on Sourceforge:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/jbrickbuilder/
with manual (english, PDF).

To get program working you need only the .JAR file. All needed files are downloaded automatically at first run.

Last release: 0.4.1 (2015-06-12)
Parts with verified connections: 1260 (520 in database, 740 autodetected and verified)

A short video on jBrickBuilder flexible parts editor: https://youtu.be/xvohL50gI9Q

Informations about connection model and algorithm is here:
http://forums.ldraw.org/showthread.php?tid=15255

Flexible parts model is here:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/jbrickb...flexparts/



Mario

Per the LDraw.org Bylaws at http://www.ldraw.org/article/268.html, Subsection
6.03(a), the 2014/2015 Steering Committee hereby calls for the community to
nominate individuals as candidates for the 2015/2016 Steering Committee[1].

Please post nominations in response to this message. Nominations will only be
recognized if they are in response to this message.

Per ss.6.03(a), you must specify the name of the person you are nominating,
along with your name. Another member of the community must second the nomination
in a reply, and the nominee must publicly accept the nomination in the same
channel (direct reply to the nomination or second) in order to be valid. If the
nominee does not accept, it will be assumed that he or she has declined, and
they will not be placed on the ballot.

Nominations will close at 11:59 PM GMT on 28 February 2015. This means that to
be listed on the ballot, a candidate must have been nominated, seconded and must
have formally stated acceptance by that time.

The Steering Committee will give sufficient notice of the election and election
procedures per ss.6.03(b).

NOTE: subsection 6.03(b) states that elections should take place before March 1.
We interpret this to mean that we will commence the election on March 1, but
since it is electronic, it will run for 2 weeks, just as last time. The exact
time and date of start and end will be announced sometime very close to (but
after) 0000 GMT March 1.

Again, thanks to all of you for your commitment to the goals of the
organization, and in working with us this year. Please, stay involved with
LDraw.org and keep it moving forward!

Willy Tschager
On behalf of the LDraw.org Steering Committee

--
[1] Try not to confuse the LDraw.org Steering Committee (SteerCo) with the LDraw
Standards Committee (LSC). The Steering Committee sets the course for the LDraw
Organization while the Standards Committee deals with the LDraw File Format.

Hi there.

I need some parts from the SpongeBob SquarePants series.

4150px34 Tile, Round 2 x 2 with Red and White Life Preserver, Curved Bands Pattern

4864px16 Panel 1 x 2 x 2 with Porthole Blue on Orange Background Pattern

Christian Maglekær

Hej,
did we ever recognized that there exist 3 different torso verions? They differ in the inside.
I wonder, If we should model them or not.

/Max

Hi folks,

I just updated the MLCad.ini file accordingly to the latest LDraw.org parts update 2014-02. The .ini file defines (among other things) the parts available in MLCad's minifigure generator.

Download the file from my website: http://www.holly-wood.it/mlcad/mlcad_ini-en.html

A direct download is available at: http://www.holly-wood.it/files/mlcad/MLC...014-02.zip

Bye, w.

edit by MMR1988: fixed the second link

Greetings LDraw friends,

I would like to request the Toy Story Woody head piece from the following set:
http://lego.brickinstructions.com/lego_i...7s_Roundup

Thank you,

LegoSW

Greetings LDraw friends,

I would like to request the following parts:
- Sabine's hair (from the Ezra Speeder Bike set)
http://cache.lego.com/bigdownloads/build...131809.pdf
- Inquisitor helmet (from TIE advanced prototype set)
http://cache.lego.com/bigdownloads/build...108897.pdf
- Agent Kallus helmet (from the AT-DP set)
http://cache.lego.com/bigdownloads/build...108899.pdf

Thank you,

LegoSW

I have a question:

why does file s\3626cs01.dat not provide ALL condlines for the FULL head
(including the pattern area)?

the pattern could be added by triangles and quads,
but condlines should be always the same in that area IMHO.

Can anybody enlighten me?

I noticed this because file
http://www.ldraw.org/cgi-bin/ptdetail.cg...26cps0.dat
on the PT adds these condlines itself.

http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=13768pb01

Would greatly appreciate this piece for a project I'm working on. I know it is a slightly more complicated piece, but if someone is looking for a piece to work on

Thanks,
-James