DrJB Posted December 18, 2014 Granted it is not easy to do an LDD design on an iPad, but still, one could be easy to visualize a given model. I have several MPD files and was wondering for a way to view those on a tablet. Anyone knows of an application or if one is in the works? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Calabar Posted December 18, 2014 (edited) It is not clear what exactly are you looking for. Do you need a viewer for LDD files or LDRAW ones? Do you need something that works on an iPad, on an Android tablet or on any other kind of tablet device? At the moment the only viewer that works on not-windows device is Mecabricks, that uses its own format. It works through a WEBGL capable browser (I'm not sure, but iPad should support WebGL with iOS8, no problems for Android device). Note: Mecabricks viewer is used from Brickset to show 3D model of official sets, for example this one (click on "3D view" tab). Edited December 18, 2014 by Calabar Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrJB Posted December 18, 2014 (edited) I'm looking for a viewer for both LDD/LDraw that works on the iPad. Sorry that was not too clear. Looking into megabricks now. Edited December 18, 2014 by DrJB Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BEAVeR Posted December 18, 2014 Instead of trying to find a specialised program to view digital Lego models on the tablet, you can use a more generic approach: you can use your tablet as remote control for your computer. This way, your ablet can do anything your computer can do, without the need for a lot of software. The constraints are that you have acces to the internet and that your computer is powered and has the corresponding program on it. The leading application in this field of remote computing is Teamviewer. It's very easy to use and has hi functionality. The drawback of working over your network is that the refresh rate of the image on the tablet can be a bit low, as well as the quality of he images. I haven't tested it for LDD and the like, but I had a great experience running some LabVIEW programs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrJB Posted December 18, 2014 (edited) It seems that the main computer would still be doing the calculations, and the tablet is just a remote screen ... I'll give it a try tonight and see how it performs. Edited December 18, 2014 by DrJB Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Calabar Posted December 18, 2014 (edited) In this case I don't think it is a good solution. A 3D viewer requires a good refresh rate and a good responsiveness, and this kind of software are very slow (in order to save bandwidth). Did you try the brickset 3D view with your ipad? Edited December 18, 2014 by Calabar Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrJB Posted December 18, 2014 I looked up the Apple Store and could not find anything called 'Brickset 3D View'. You have an app name? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grum64 Posted December 18, 2014 (edited) I'm looking for a viewer for both LDD/LDraw that works on the iPad. Sorry that was not too clear. Looking into megabricks now. Take a look at Brickpad in the App Store. If all you need is a viewer then it's the app you need. You'll need to convert LDD files to LDRAW & email the converted file to yourself. Open the email, tap the file and choose BrickPad from the Open With options and away you go. I find BrickPad helpful, I hope you do too. UPDATE AND APOLOGY. I looked on the App Store and having found no sign of BrickPad looked at the developers website http://www.kenrickdrew.com/brickpad It seems it was withdrawn from the App Store on 14 Dec for what reasons I don't know. I suggest you email the developer and see if he can 'point you' to a copy. Who knows, if enough of us contact him he may release it again. It's a great app. Sorry if I got anyone's hopes up. Edited December 18, 2014 by grum64 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Calabar Posted December 18, 2014 Brickpad seems a very good solution for your needs, it is a pity it is not available anymore. As grum64 suggests, try to contact its developer. I looked up the Apple Store and could not find anything called 'Brickset 3D View'. You have an app name? It is not an "app" for iPad. Read again my post #2, there you will find a link to brickset: it is one of the most important web resources for LEGO fans, you can't miss to know it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrJB Posted December 19, 2014 Thank you guys, appreciate all the help. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grum64 Posted December 19, 2014 (edited) Hi Everyone After I found that BrickPad had been withdrawn from the app store I emailed Ken, it's developer asking why. His very prompt reply is as follows. '...In a word, the short answer is... time. As I'm sure you know, BrickPad is behind in LDraw library part updates. As well, with some of the advances in iOS that I haven't kept up with, I removed BrickPad so as to not "rot" in the App Store. Another reason, which you touched on, was popularity (lack of). There are a few die hard fans such as yourself, but BrickPad was a labor of love that unfortunately I was having trouble finding the time to labor over. In a way, interestingly, BrickPad caused it's own demise, as BrickPad was the cause of a new job in mobile development that has consumed a lot of my time. ...I hope to return BrickPad to the App Store. As of now I don't have a timeline for that event, but hopefully it will be sooner rather than later. If I do, can I count on you for a little beta test support? Thanks for your support...' I'm lucky enough to have used BrickPad since almost day one. It's a great app that I hope Ken finds the time to update and make available once more. Edited December 19, 2014 by grum64 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
legolijntje Posted December 19, 2014 In this case I don't think it is a good solution. A 3D viewer requires a good refresh rate and a good responsiveness, and this kind of software are very slow (in order to save bandwidth). Did you try the brickset 3D view with your ipad? That's not true. Nowdays, it's completely possible to stream whole games through your local network if you have a good router. So, streaming a computer screen with a 3d viewer should be fine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Calabar Posted December 19, 2014 (edited) '...In a word, the short answer is... time. As I'm sure you know, BrickPad is behind in LDraw library part updates. As well, with some of the advances in iOS that I haven't kept up with, I removed BrickPad so as to not "rot" in the App Store. It is not clear for me if the updates in iOS completely broke the software. Otherwise I think that an incomplete version could be enough for most users, waiting for a fixed version. It is a free application, a disclaimer about the present situation could be enough. Anyway the little success of brickpad could be due to the fact that the software is not known. He could open a topic here in EB to introduce his software and gain some other user. Surely the fact that it is limited to iOS only don't help: I would install it immediately, but I don't have (and I don't want) a iOS device. That's not true. Nowdays, it's completely possible to stream whole games through your local network if you have a good router.So, streaming a computer screen with a 3d viewer should be fine. It is surely possible, but the present remote control software I know are slow and laggy (for example Teamviewer, that I often use). Beside we are speaking about a mobile device and, if used with a mobile connection, this solution could be even more slow and traffic-consuming (in my country the mobile traffic is expensive). This solution could work at home (where you usually can use your PC however), provided you find an adequate software. Edited December 19, 2014 by Calabar Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
