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What is the state on Third Party parts? - Printable Version

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What is the state on Third Party parts? - Eugen - 2024-10-09

Years ago it was a joke that "LDraw.org opens to LEGO clone bricks":

Now I see there are some Third Party parts on PT, and some of them already certified:

Third Party are not exact LEGO clones, but a LEGO-compatible parts with its own design.

So:
  1. What is the state of Third Party parts?
  2. May I design own LEGO-compatible part and pull it to Parts Tracker for including into Parts Library?
  3. What is the state for including non-LEGO-compatible parts from other construction sets now?


RE: What is the state on Third Party parts? - Willy Tschager - 2024-10-09

Please read:

https://forums.ldraw.org/thread-21841.html

Basically third party means digital versions of physical parts accepted by the community, which are NOT clones or from LEGO competitors.

w.

RE: What is the state on Third Party parts? - Orion Pobursky - 2024-10-09

(2024-10-09, 6:55)Eugen Wrote:
  1. What is the state of Third Party parts?
  2. May I design own LEGO-compatible part and pull it to Parts Tracker for including into Parts Library?
  3. What is the state for including non-LEGO-compatible parts from other construction sets now?

1 and 3: Third party parts in the context of the official library are defined as LEGO compatible parts that are produced and marketed with the intent to be used in conjunction with official offerings from LEGO. This is in contrast to clone bricks which are produced and marketed with the intent to be used in lieu of official offerings from LEGO. There's probably some overlap in these 2 categories. The part library administrators and LDraw.org Steering Committee will provide official guidance, if needed.

2: You may submit parts to the tracker that exist as a physical product and fit the above definition. Note that there are number and description rules that must be followed. Additionally and as always, you may not use digital source files without the express permission of the owner (and provide that proof to the library admins).

RE: What is the state on Third Party parts? - Gerald Lasser - 2024-10-09

a perfect example for #3 are Fischer Technik parts, this is a completely different construction system. There are LDraw files which people use to construct their models. Those parts will not become part of this Library.

https://www.ftcommunity.de/bilderpool/modelle/ft-cad-zeichensoftware/ft-ldraw/gallery-index/

ad 2) purely digital parts, which have no physical counterpart as well as custom 3D prints should IMHO not be part of the library.

If people use 3D prints in theri MOCs, some Technic MOCs use custom wheels ofr suspension parts, those can be included in the MPD/LDR file, that's what the file format caters for, but  thoese are not supposed to be in the library.
If needed users can import them to their own personal library, but they will not be tracked here

RE: What is the state on Third Party parts? - Eugen - 2024-10-09

(2024-10-09, 15:00)Orion Pobursky Wrote: 2: You may submit parts to the tracker that exist as a physical product and fit the above definition.

If LEGO-compatible part exists on sites sharing 3D models for 3D-printing (like Printables, Thingiverse, Tinkercad, etc.), could be LDraw part based on such design be included as Third Party part in Parts Library?

Few examples:

RE: What is the state on Third Party parts? - Rene Rechthaler - 2024-10-09

I think its more about directly compatible parts made as an addition to Lego
(although sometimes the official lego parts are made for them)
example (base part is original lego, electric connections are for PU):
https://library.ldraw.org/tracker/34978

or the FXtracks which fit the old 9V tracks...

RE: What is the state on Third Party parts? - Orion Pobursky - 2024-10-09

(2024-10-09, 17:59)Eugen Wrote: If LEGO-compatible part exists on sites sharing 3D models for 3D-printing (like Printables, Thingiverse, Tinkercad, etc.), could be LDraw part based on such design be included as Third Party part in Parts Library?

Few examples:

No. Virtual only files are not eligible for inclusion.

RE: What is the state on Third Party parts? - Eugen - 2024-10-09

(2024-10-09, 18:20)Rene Rechthaler Wrote: I think its more about directly compatible parts made as an addition to Lego
(although sometimes the official lego parts are made for them)
example (base part is original lego, electric connections are for PU):
https://library.ldraw.org/tracker/34978

or the FXtracks which fit the old 9V tracks...

Yes, I'm aware of that manufacturers, which are producing LEGO compatible addition parts, like «Brickmania®» (custom addition parts for scale model sets of military vehicles and custom minifigs).

But also, there are some small teams and individuals producing addition parts (3D-printed ready to ship, to be 3D-printed on demand, or to be printed by users itself). And there are addition parts for 3D-printing shared for free (including under CC BY).

I read the whole thread on Third Party parts inclusion into LDraw Library: https://forums.ldraw.org/thread-21841.html

But yet, its unclear. It might be good to compile a "List of acceptible Third Party parts manufacturers" (as «Cobi» custom parts are blacklisted, and «S-Brick» custom parts are acceptible, need to know which else are blacklisted and acceptible).

(2024-10-09, 18:33)Orion Pobursky Wrote: No. Virtual only files are not eligible for inclusion.

What about Printabrick.com and similar homebrew individuals? Which producing (or produced in the past) in a small number by on demand 3D-printing.

RE: What is the state on Third Party parts? - Rene Rechthaler - 2024-10-09

I guess China stuff is generally blacklisted...

Could think that the 4DBrix stuff may be ok (they are real, can be bought and are not as lego rival, rather then an addition): https://www.4dbrix.com/index.php
(there are even .stl files to download)

RE: What is the state on Third Party parts? - Orion Pobursky - 2024-10-09

(2024-10-09, 18:53)Eugen Wrote: It might be good to compile a "List of acceptible Third Party parts manufacturers" (as «Cobi» custom parts are blacklisted, and «S-Brick» custom parts are acceptible, need to know which else are blacklisted and acceptible).

I don't feel the need to be that explicit nor to I think it's necessary. I think most AFOLs understand the difference between LEGO complimentary products and clone products. For those grey areas the admin team will make a decision with community input.

(2024-10-09, 18:53)Eugen Wrote: What about Printabrick.com and similar homebrew individuals? Which producing (or produced in the past) in a small number by on demand 3D-printing.

No. Print on demand parts are not something I feel are appropriate for the library. I am, as always, willing to change my mind with enough community support and a compelling reason.

RE: What is the state on Third Party parts? - Eugen - 2024-10-09

(2024-10-09, 19:22)Orion Pobursky Wrote: For those grey areas the admin team will make a decision with community input.

OK, I propose to lock actual thread to read-only.

Any further discussion migh be continue in original announcement thread: https://forums.ldraw.org/thread-21841.html

RE: What is the state on Third Party parts? - Gerald Lasser - 2024-10-09

There is currently only one 3D printed part on the tracer and it came from LEGO itself. (Inside Tour set)

https://library.ldraw.org/tracker/26058

This has a LEGO part number. and is a movable assembly printed in one go.

There is a second one, the toy duck, part number 92898, which was produced in a very limited quantity


For other 3D Prints, I share Orion's approach.


Some of these companies have their own library of parts they prodcue, e.g. Brickarms and Brickmania, to make their instructions, and somethimes they make these available.

RE: What is the state on Third Party parts? - Eugen - 2024-10-09

(2024-10-09, 23:07)Gerald Lasser Wrote: There is currently only one 3D printed part on the tracer and it came from LEGO itself. (Inside Tour set)

https://library.ldraw.org/tracker/26058

This has a LEGO part number. and is a movable assembly printed in one go.

There is a second one, the toy duck, part number 92898, which was produced in a very limited quantity

For other 3D Prints, I share Orion's approach.

Yes, I'm aware of these 3D printed LEGO assembly parts.

About Brickarms and Brickmania custom bricks, even they have their own library of parts, they not provided LDraw files, or am I missed it? Brickmania once announced to release LDraw files for its Track Links, but it never released into public: https://brickmaniatoys.com/2013/05/15/brickmania-track-links-update-ldraw-files-now-created/ (reversengineered parts created for Stud.io, though: https://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?/forums/topic/189384-custom-track-links/)

Anyway, authoring parts based on Brickarms/Brickmania for LDraw Parts Library meets Third Party parts policy, right?