(2022-04-01, 7:11)Philippe Hurbain Wrote:
- Most of us use LDparteditor to create LDraw parts (https://nilsschmidt1337.github.io/ldparteditor/). Fair warning: powerful, but steep learning curve (and scarce documentation to say the best). Unfortunately you will still need PartDesigner to add connectivity/process collision...
- Fredrik Hareide is working on such a tool (https://forums.ldraw.org/thread-24153-po...l#pid45043). But that's a complex project, don't hold your breath
- I do agree that Studio is great for rendering or creating building instructions, but for model building it's a big meeehhh for me... Especially for Technic building I prefer a lot LDCad. Caveats: "the best tool is the one you know how to use" and "doesn't solve the lack of Bionicle parts"!
- I'll have a look at that! Part of the issue is that Bionicle parts, being as they are, are not exactly friendly to the types of processes designed to make bricks.
- That's definitely going to be tricky to get people on board with, but I may be able to start bothering people about it! I'll definitely look into that, and see if I can start learning something about this.
- Keep in mind that the average Bionicle digital MOCist is not the average Lego or Technic MOCist - there's a high need for easy building, posing, and rendering, which LDCad is not necessarily designed for. The usual user who does the kind of stuff that the Biopack is made for is not likely to use other LDraw programs, and if they do, it's more of a means to an end than anything else.
Now, I have a few more questions for you! Hurray!
- Is it possible to add new primitives without extending the LDraw spec? A number of Bionicle parts have a consistent attachment point - the stud for mask connections in the first few years - that differs from the usual stud connection. Could a primitive be added to a LDraw program that's not a part of the official spec and read properly, even if only in that program?
- Are there any tools or recommendations to optimize .dat filesize in the meantime, without introducing primitives?
Quote:Max Murtazin
Oh, hi Voot, long time no see
If you are going to work on Biopack parts, better contact me somehow, I am already up to dealing with some of that and making them into LDraw
Well, I guess that depends on if you are who I think you are! I suppose you're back in the saddle? Either way... we'll see.