Hi all,
Some of you may remember Buf3D, the Android viewer that Steffen found back in 2013. I'm Antonio, its developer. It has changed a lot since then, and the wishes from that old thread (step support and working offline) are finally in, so here is an update.
It reads LDraw files (DAT, LDR, MPD, L3B) as well as LXF/LXFML.
What it does with LDraw models:
- Step-by-step building: a parts list for each step with colour swatches and your progress in each batch, and a small window showing the next part to place. The current part is highlighted on the model.
- Missing parts are listed in the step instead of disappearing silently.
- Real-time shadows with a sun you can move, ambient occlusion and accurate edge lines. Dark parts keep their shape thanks to a rim light.
- The parts library can be downloaded or installed from your own ldraw ZIP, so it works offline.
- Huge models stay smooth on modest phones: it uses a multiresolution format (Progressive Fans) that adjusts detail in real time, so files with millions of triangles stay interactive.
- Export to OBJ, STL, 3DS, LWO, OFF, POV-Ray and an HTML parts list.
There is now a free version, Buf3D Lite, with every feature and a selection of models from the catalogue (official sets from OMR and others). Your own LDraw files need the full version, Buf3D+.
Buf3D Lite (free): https://play.google.com/store/apps/detai...miento2026
Buf3D+: https://play.google.com/store/apps/detai...miento2026
Website and video: https://buf3d.cimplus.es/
Feedback is very welcome, especially files that load wrong or parts that render badly. Thanks to everyone who maintains the library: none of this would exist without it.
Some of you may remember Buf3D, the Android viewer that Steffen found back in 2013. I'm Antonio, its developer. It has changed a lot since then, and the wishes from that old thread (step support and working offline) are finally in, so here is an update.
It reads LDraw files (DAT, LDR, MPD, L3B) as well as LXF/LXFML.
What it does with LDraw models:
- Step-by-step building: a parts list for each step with colour swatches and your progress in each batch, and a small window showing the next part to place. The current part is highlighted on the model.
- Missing parts are listed in the step instead of disappearing silently.
- Real-time shadows with a sun you can move, ambient occlusion and accurate edge lines. Dark parts keep their shape thanks to a rim light.
- The parts library can be downloaded or installed from your own ldraw ZIP, so it works offline.
- Huge models stay smooth on modest phones: it uses a multiresolution format (Progressive Fans) that adjusts detail in real time, so files with millions of triangles stay interactive.
- Export to OBJ, STL, 3DS, LWO, OFF, POV-Ray and an HTML parts list.
There is now a free version, Buf3D Lite, with every feature and a selection of models from the catalogue (official sets from OMR and others). Your own LDraw files need the full version, Buf3D+.
Buf3D Lite (free): https://play.google.com/store/apps/detai...miento2026
Buf3D+: https://play.google.com/store/apps/detai...miento2026
Website and video: https://buf3d.cimplus.es/
Feedback is very welcome, especially files that load wrong or parts that render badly. Thanks to everyone who maintains the library: none of this would exist without it.