Developing drawing after prototyping.

[knotian]

A question of procedure and technique. I am developing some complex models by prototyping with a (just for now) limited parts inventory. I may have to dismantle in order to have parts for the rest of the series.I would like to have construction drawings. I'll be using LDCad as a tool.

I'd like some opinions from readers as to the best way to progress.

I'd probably just start from one side and assemble a layer by layer drawing.

Another way I thought about would be to take a series of pictures (JPG's) as each part is removed and then reverse them as a guide to doing the drawing.

How would any of you go about accomplishing this task?

I'm sure somebody has done this 'backwards' exercise.

Thanx,

Ed

[Zerobricks]

What about using a digital tool like LDD? You can easily make an inventory of pieces and than save different versions.

EDIT: Oh I see you are using LDCad, sorry missed that.

Edited February 29, 2016 by Zblj

[Alasdair Ryan]

It depends on what you want to build (and what theme you choose) If you are new to "mocing" and you plan on using technic then I would warn against it, as you really need to test your ideas out physically with technic.If you are talking about a moc for a city layout or using the "traditional" Lego type elements then Lego cad is a great tool to use.

When using Lego cad software you need to be careful of using parts that do not exist in some colours or are rare and expensive to buy.

[knotian]

Alasdair- The MOC is already done, and works. I want to have drawings for rebuilding and documentation.

[Alasdair Ryan]

Oh, so you would want to use a program like Lpub3D (You can use MLcad to add building steps to the file) in which you can make basic instructions in order to recreate it.

[___]

It depends on what you want to build (and what theme you choose) If you are new to "mocing" and you plan on using technic then I would warn against it, as you really need to test your ideas out physically with technic.If you are talking about a moc for a city layout or using the "traditional" Lego type elements then Lego cad is a great tool to use.

When using Lego cad software you need to be careful of using parts that do not exist in some colours or are rare and expensive to buy.

That is very true + or he can combine both: you design something you somehow logically (in a way, of course) expect should work and after that trying to build just that part(s) in question...

Alasdair- The MOC is already done, and works. I want to have drawings for rebuilding and documentation.

Than I am affraid you really have to disasseble you model and make "conversion" into some of LEGO CAD SW available: you have to "build" every layer one by one in such SW and then once you have you MOC "transfered" into digital world just print those "steps"/layers or use some other SW for creating building instructions...

[Alasdair Ryan]

Than I am affraid you really have to disasseble you model and make "conversion" into some of LEGO CAD SW available: you have to "build" every layer one by one in such SW and then once you have you MOC "transfered" into digital world just print those "steps"/layers or use some other SW for creating building instructions...

You can insert comments into MLcad ( this could be done as you wnt along, if you were using MLcad to build your moc) or into the Lpub instruction file.

Edited February 29, 2016 by Alasdair Ryan