LDD to Universe/ Vice Versa

[SpiderSpaceman]

First of all, I don't really know if it belongs here, in the LDD forum, or in the Pop Culture, but I want to voice my opinion that we the FOLs NEED this cross functionality. I know the LDD team has said they're always looking into whether it's worth it to link or not, and I know it will take massive reworking in the website and both programs, That said:

• I don't want to build models that are stuck in Universe.
  
• Universe has it's own selection of amazing models that are stuck in Universe.
  
• There isn't even a auto sort in Universe, and largely useless minifigure accessories strewn throughout will keep you from finding the parts you want (I know about the search categories but that alone is not good enough)
  
• LDD's tools are far superior, allow for hinge angles, flexible parts, building underneath bricks already placed.
  
• LDD has already had limited part palettes, I would think they could do the same and sync with a user's account, have a login in the program or send it up through lego.com, not unlike design by me.
  

And I know I'm not saying anything they don't know but I hope to get a little bit of representation in about this. I'm sorry if the way I've stated it seems unprofessional but I'm passionate about the digital building experience.

While I'm at it, I want to build my own pets, accessories, and vehicles, though I know more than a few custom items would make loading into worlds a nightmare.

Of course the other option, I would gladly pay up to $200 for "Lego Digital Designer presents: Lego Creator Evolved" with online Co-Op and model animation tools. I don't care if it takes 5 years, I want to get that suggestion to TLG. The LDD toolset in Creator with a light sprinkling of new features would be worth the UCS Millenium Falcon's weight in gold. And it's the natural evolution of Creator, which I still remember fondly as the best piece of software I've ever owned.

Even back then Creator had: flight or driving capabilities for anything you could build, dynamite launchers, night vision, easy to apply light effects, a choice of building areas, walk around views, hinge animation with settings, and just about any computer could run it flawlessly. Why has there never been a successor to this? (barring castle and chamber of secrets)

[Scorpion]

My name is Scoprion and I aprove this message.

[-R8-]

I do think that the user-friendly and versatile functions of LDD coupled with the interactivity of Universe would direct more emphasis on the building aspect of the game, which I feel has been understated considering that LEGO is a building toy in the first place. Exporting models between both programs actually was a feature that I hoped for when the game was first announced to the public back in 2007. If there was direct integration between LDD and Universe, that would even be better - as in, LDD would be able to detect a player's collection of bricks within the game, and then allow the user to build a model within the LDD interface using those bricks only (and would update itself as the player collected more bricks). Size limitations from the game would also apply. At least this way, the gameplay aspect of collecting bricks would be preserved, while at the same time offering an isolated environment specialized for building.

Another option could be to simply replicate the LDD interface in Universe to consolidate everything all in one program, and still allow things like generating building instructions or purchasing off of LEGO DesignByMe possible. In either scenario, all models would be saved as .lxf files that could be further shared within the online community.

When it comes to LEGO video games, I think that it's important for them to be designed with compatibility in mind. Obviously there are technical limitations presented with this, but allowing the user to create their own play experience with digital LEGO helps promote the creativity associated with LEGO, and will be what sets it apart from other mainstream games.

[benhead]

I was bugging lego universe during beta about this very same thing.They never once got back to me with an answer.I assume that 100,000 other players were asking too and they got tired of saying no.

During my playtime experience I built a fantastic space military base on my property in avant gardens.I was working on it for 2 weeks when one day it was just gone?I was pretty angry!I told LU about it,the next day about 8 pieces of it loaded in the right place but the rest of it was lost for good!I like to think that TLG saw it and outright stole it from me without so much as a 'thank you,this is neet!'

So even if LU has the exact same friendliness as LDD it won`t matter if the data gets lost bouncing between my pc and their servers.

[Lalror]

I was bugging lego universe during beta about this very same thing.They never once got back to me with an answer.I assume that 100,000 other players were asking too and they got tired of saying no.

During my playtime experience I built a fantastic space military base on my property in avant gardens.I was working on it for 2 weeks when one day it was just gone?I was pretty angry!I told LU about it,the next day about 8 pieces of it loaded in the right place but the rest of it was lost for good!I like to think that TLG saw it and outright stole it from me without so much as a 'thank you,this is neet!'

So even if LU has the exact same friendliness as LDD it won`t matter if the data gets lost bouncing between my pc and their servers.

Did this incident happen during beta, or after the game was released?

[Superkalle]

Interesting topic you bring up SpiderSpaceman. I don't play LU myself, but I agree that it's not always easy for fans to understand the strategy/path that TLG has chosen with LU and LDD in terms of (non) integration. My guess is that it has to do with:

1) Two completely different development teams (one in US, one in Billund) and two different technical platforms.

2) TLG wanted a different, more simplistic building experience in LU, and didn't want to mix the two.

3) It turned out too much work to make a smooth exchange possible between LU and LDD data, and now with the dropping LU sales, there is even less incentive.

4) The technical platforum in LU is very different to LDD. I'm not even sure they use the same format to save the data (in LDD it's the LXFML-format).

Even so, what I don't understand is why they opened up LU-mode in LDD, if the intention was not to integrate the two. Also, like you say, wouldn't it be intresting for LU-users to buy their models as physical bricks (i.e. a DbM-feature in LU)?

[CopMike]

Hi!

Great question - I´ve posted it and this thread in the Ambassador forum. Now we´ll wait for an answer !