How to become a parts reviewer?

[Scott Classen]

Hello
I'm very new to this Lego CAD stuff, but have general CAD experience from my work. I would like to contribute in some way to reviewing unofficial parts. What is involved? Do I need digital calipers to measure the original part and then compare to the digital version? Would I just be reviewing the part for appearance?
Cheers

[Willy Tschager]

http://www.ldraw.org/library/tracker/ref/reviewfaq/

w.

[Philippe Hurbain]

...and a few old timers (like me) hanging on Parts Tracker are there to help you if needed! I also think that trying to author some simple parts can help. It is good to see both sides of the mirror...

[Orion Pobursky]

I'll second Philo here and say that one of the best ways to learn how to review a part is to create a part and submit it for review. The comments and fixes made about your submissions will help you understand how to review other submissions.

[Scott Classen]

OK, my interest has been piqued.
Is there any know way to convert from more "standard" CAD file formats to the LDraw *.dat format? I'm quite adept with PTC CoCreate 3D CAD software. I can output in most 3D file formats (STEP, 3D IGES, and SAT).

I'm also sure I could figure out how to do it with various LDraw utilities too, but as with any new software there would be a learning curve. Are there any OS X programs that can be used to author parts?

[Orion Pobursky]

Unfortunatly, conversion programs are few and far between. As far as OSX, I think Bricksmith has everything you need to get started although I've never used it as a part authoring program (I only have 1 part left on the tracker and I submitted it in 2002). I do recommend LDView as well since it can be used to spot the more common errors. I also think Mike Heidemann's DATHeader can be used in OSX via Mono.

[Philippe Hurbain]

The best conversion program I know (Windows only unfortunately) is Stl2Dat. It's a command line program, but it is also included (along with several other tools) in LETGUI distribution.

[Willy Tschager]

Q: I would like to contribute in some way to reviewing unofficial parts. What is involved? Do I need digital calipers to measure the original part and then compare to the digital version? Would I just be reviewing the part for appearance?

A: First read the Reviewing Parts FAQ at the LDraw.org Parts Tracker. However one of the best ways to learn how to review a part is to create a part and submit it for review. The comments and fixes made about your submissions by old timers will help you understand how to review other submissions.

Q: Is there any know way to convert from more "standard" CAD file formats to the LDraw *.dat format? I'm quite adept with PTC CoCreate 3D CAD software. I can output in most 3D file formats (STEP, 3D IGES, and SAT).

A: The best conversion program known (Windows only unfortunately) is Stl2Dat. It's a command line program, but it is also included (along with several other tools) in LETGUI distribution.

[Jim DeVona]

I've only authored one part, 92579, but I did use SketchUp for most of it (here's an example screenshot). I don't think it's a common tool among part authors because it doesn't inherently know about subparts or primitive parts, but I found it easier to use than writing LDraw code for a new part from scratch. (No doubt the LDraw masters here can "see the Matrix directly".)

Anyway, more info on my Sketchup to LDraw conversion process here.

[Philippe Hurbain]

These FAQ entry/discussion summary is an excellent idea. Do you intend to centralize them somewhere?

[Orion Pobursky]

Yes, as soon as the new main site goes up. This may be a little bit though hence the FAQs here.

[johanmark]

About the conversion to ldraw format, there is a program called AD3D which can open and save ldraw files and a lot of other 3D formats, so you could convert between formats with it. In addition, the program is very easy to work with, very intuitive. The problem is that it´s not freeware, but shareware. Anyway, it woths to take a look a it:

http://www.inivis.com/