On the topic of matrix calculations, I believe it should be possible to split any given transformation matrix into two composing matrices where one would represent the rotation and the other would represent the scale. Essentially a matrix version of a "vector = unit_vector * scalar" equation, like a "matrix = rotation_matrix * scale_matrix" where rotation_matrix would contain the rotation of the matrix with no scaling and scale_matrix would be otherwise an identity matrix but with the scaling of the main matrix. Is this kind of split possible? If so, how to do it?

The default colors of LDView's POV-Ray output are too light and washed out looking when rendered using POV-Ray 3.7 as opposed to POV-Ray 3.6. This is due to the way POV-Ray 3.7 handles gamma output differently than before. So I created the attached hotfix for lg_color.inc that repairs this issue. This fix was suggested to me at the POV-Ray newsgroup. It may not be perfect, but as you can see in the attached images the "saturated" version looks much closer to reality than the "unsaturated" version.

Update: changing each color statement to use the srgb keyword instead of rgb should do the trick just as well.

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  lg_color_saturated.inc (Size: 12.23 KB / Downloads: 2)

Flat Silver Tile, Round 1 x 1 with Gauge with Red Pointer Pattern

Would be great if someone could do this part.

Bricklink seems to suggest a part number of 98138pb010.
http://www.bricklink.com/search.asp?q=fl...le%20gauge

   

Guys,

attached you'll find the first draft of my new tutorial: Adding unofficial LDraw parts to MLCad.

I would appreciate some feedback. Also your tips and tricks when working with unofficials are welcome.

w.

Attached Files

  Adding_unofficial_LDraw_parts_to_MLCad.pdf (Size: 472.46 KB / Downloads: 36)

Is there any way to rename the parts starting with the letter "u"? They make it frustrating to select a sub-model in MLCad's Add Part dialog when sorting the list by name, because you have to sort through all the "u"s. Thanks.

Is the 2855 "Technic Turntable Type 1 Top" known to be inaccurate at all?

I originally abandoned my attempt to position a gear to drive this turntable because it looked like what I was attempting was illegal, but now I think my desired position is fine and it's just an inaccurately defined 2855 part.

The enclosed MLCad screenshot shows the simplest example of the problem. All parts are correctly stud-aligned. But I've raised the red gears to highlight the problem. As you can see, the red gears actually cut into the body of the yellow turntable. I've included close-ups of how much the overlap occurs. I also added the grey gears just to show that no such problem exists between the grey and red gears. The problem is only with the turntable.

Can I safely assume that 8 and 24 tooth gears *can* be positioned as shown?

   

Attached Files

  2855test.ldr (Size: 780 bytes / Downloads: 0)

I rendered the attached file using POV-Ray 3.7 and L3P 1.4 beta. Does anyone else also think the transparent glass is not transparent enough? Has anyone noticed this and made alterations to L3P's materials?

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I need this for a set of instructions I'm doing. I can do an approximate version that'll be OK, but if someone's already working on them, that'd be hoopy. I don't have the actual part.

Hello, is this part available anywhere? Or could you suggest a similar part to use?

Thanks

Because it was pointed out, we have to agree on a scheme for the different underside variants. I want to discuss this here instead in the part tracker for a specific part:
http://www.ldraw.org/cgi-bin/ptdetail.cg.../3245c.dat

some examples
-> description if there are variants available (stuff in brackets only optional if needed) * for currently used variant

3678a, 772, 3066
-> with Hollow Bottom
-> without (Centre) Bottom Stud(s)*

3794a, 3023, 3245a
-> with Bottom Stud(s)
-> with Bottom Cylinder(s)
-> with Closed Bottom Tube(s)

3678b, 3049a
-> with (Centre) Bottom Tube(s)*
-> with (Centre) Open Bottom Tube(s)

3245b
-> with Inside Axle Holder*
-> with Bottom Axle Holder

4460a (on the right: http://i59.tinypic.com/20rl0r7.jpg )
-> with Bottom Triangular Brackets
-> with Bottom Triangular Inverted Stud(s)

15573 (on the left: http://i59.tinypic.com/20rl0r7.jpg )
-> with Bottom Triangular Based Brackets
-> with Bottom Triangular Based Inverted Stud(s)
-> without Understud*

not created atm (in the middle: http://i59.tinypic.com/20rl0r7.jpg )
-> with Bottom Teeth Brackets
-> with Bottom Teeth Inverted Stud(s)

Imho the last three shouldn't be created if any other version already exists for a specific part. But if one is created one should be picked which is available for the part. So 15573 with "Teeth Brackets" or "Triangular Brackets" would be invalid (at the moment)

All are just suggestions - but I hope we can agree on some wording.