Took me awhile but here's the first test version of LDCad 1.2.

It's major new features are templates and highly configurable flexible parts.

Do note this is an Alpha version, meaning it is not jet feature complete. Although all core functionality is working I'm still working on some additional support features I'm hoping to offer in the next version.

As a result working with the new flexible parts requires some expertise for now. I'll try to give some quick pointers here to get you started:

• Start a new model like in previous versions.
  
• Locate the 'templates' group in the bin and navigate around in it to select a template (e.g. pneumatics/hose)
  
• Drag the part to your model like any other part.
  
• A dialog will ask if you want to create a submodel (mpd) or new file (ldr), choose one.
  
• The template will be copied into the target model and a reference to that new model will be added to the current model.
  
• You can now move it around like any other part/submodel and edit by double clicking it.
  

• Keep track of the #1 point it should remain at 0,0,0 for ease of use.
  
• When shaping the part, you are working blind for now. So use the 'end' key to swap between models to see the path in relation to the higher model.
  
• Generally you want to position the start of the path using the reference in the higher model using it, when that's done move the last point of the path to the destination location using the paths own session.
  
• When start and end points are positioned correctly, select the first point again and start inserting extra points to guide the path to it's goal.
  
• Rotate a point to change direction and shape bends using the green and red spheres.
  
• Use ortho mode whenever possible, it offers much better insight about direction and makes using the grid easier.
  
• Use 'p' (show/hide editing pin), 'g' (show hide grid for selection), 'o' (change grid orientation to match the selection), 'i' (show hide the info panel), 'r' (rotate mode) and 'm' (move mode) instead of the mouse whenever needed.
  

Attached Files

  8843.mpd (Size: 1.87 MB / Downloads: 0)

As outlined here:

http://forums.ldraw.org/showthread.php?t...67#pid7567

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Hi,

When I was making 10233 Horizon Express using SR3D, I found some parts were missing.
I asked the parts at 'Part Request', and I got two of them recently.

Because it was too hard for me to find where the part must be replaced by new one in text code,
I decided to use MLCAD for part replacing function.

But when I loaded 10233 file, MLCAD couldn't show my model, even though SR3D and LDview showed it correctly.
In below screen capture, you can see that MLCAD loaded the codes, but it couldn't show image: (see 10233-1.ldr)


I tried to find where was wrong with my model by deleting some parts of codes one by one group,
and I could find the code group that occurred the problem. (see test.ldr)

10233-2.ldr has the codes that removes test.ldr code from 10233-1.ldr.
MLCAD shows 10233-2.ldr correctly like below:


I am curious whether I found a bug in MLCAD 3.4, it was just a problem with my computer, or any solution for this problem.
As a reference, I installed MLCAD using All-In-One-Installer-2012-03 version and I am using windows 7.

If you have any idea, comment it, please.

Thanks for reading.

KWON

Attached Files

  10233-1.ldr (Size: 27.62 KB / Downloads: 0)
  10233-2.ldr (Size: 25.43 KB / Downloads: 0)
  test.ldr (Size: 2.19 KB / Downloads: 0)

Ok i have this question: suppose that i want to make a low poly version of a model (made of N parts), suitable for real time graphics for example in a videogame, how could i substantially reduce the amount of vertex and polygons while keeping as much details as possible? I'm not interested in keeping internal structure, just to obtain a lowpoly model.

One thing that came to mind was to remove all studs from the parts (they're relatively small in a model, expecially when seen from apart, and take up a lots of vertex/poly), and it would be easily done by removing all stud*.dat primitives. Also removing all greeble on the bottom of bricks would help a lot (but it's harder as, afaik, they're not primitives?).
Another thing could be to remove all internal, non visible parts, but how to do it algorithmically is bejond me.

So can anyone point to some algorithm or want to share some idea ?

http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=13269



Please, somebody make this new part.

Thanks.

http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=87079pb106L
http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=87079pb106R

 

These are in 10233 Horizon Express and looks like a bit simple.

Would someone make these as soon as possible?

Thanks for reading.

Is it legal/possible to export an image of each piece in LDraw's database in order to create a database with every piece in it? Are there copyright issues with these images?

Assuming it is allowed, is there a way to do a mass export for each piece?

I'm trying to setup a collection of hose templates for use in the upcoming LDCad Alpha, but I find some of the parts in the library a bit confusing.

For example in the Flex hose 754 and 756 the !Help comments say 'place a string' but the exact spacing isn't mentioned. I've attached my current version. It uses the non deform method for generating the part, I would prefer to use deform but there isn't a suitable donor for this in the current official library.

Secondly: the technic hose (79 and 80), should it start with a static part (pin length or something, like the widening part on pneumatic hoses) or should it bend from the very outer tips?

Attached is my current version for a flex hose, but It's probably the wrong scale. Do note the length isn't restricted so I'm looking for the correct scale on segment level.

I probably will have more questions about other parts later on. Also if someone would like to see additional flexible parts prepared let me know and I'll try model them too.

Any help / insight would be appreciated.

Attached Files

  flexHose.ldr (Size: 6.44 KB / Downloads: 3)

...I've inherited the "leocad" AUR package and fixed it so it works now. So just install that.

(well, nearly.)