14 replies to this topic

[Mario Pascucci]

BrickUtils

BrickUtils is an utility for builders that use LEGO Digital Designer and LDraw-compatible CAD for designing models.
The main problem that BrickUtils tries to solve is the answer at the question: can I build this model with bricks I own?
So, with BrickUtils you can quickly build your brick catalog and check if you can build a model. You can also export list of bricks you can buy on BrickLink, to complete your brick collection.

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This thread holds all you need to know about BrickUtils

Feature list:

• Imports LDD project file (LXF or LXFML)
  
• Imports BrickLink set inventory
  
• Imports LDraw file format (MPD or LDR)
  
• Manage your collection of bricks, sets and bulk lots
  
• Display brick shape (from LDraw part library)
  
• Checks if you can build a model (from LDD, LDraw or a BrickLink set) against your brick catalog, and helps you to find alternate bricks
  
• Exports BrickLink "Wanted Mass Upload" XML file, to buy bricks on BrickLink
  
• Exports lists in printable HTML to helps pick bricks from your collection (a bill of materials)
  
• over 2700 BrickLink from/to LDD parts database
  
• over 2900 LDraw from/to LDD parts database
  
• Updated to LDD 4.3.5 and brick set 835.3
  
• Includes LDraw part library update 2012-02
  
• Automatic database upgrade when installing new program releases
  
• Database update via Internet
  
• Imports and exports your bricks and sets catalog in XML format, for backup and upgrades
  
• Faster full text search in BrickLink parts and sets databases
  
• “Can Build?” function now includes an “export” button to create a wanted mass upload file from missing bricks, accepted by BrickLink
  
• Complete user manual (PDF, english and italian)

Program is totally free, Open Source, written in Python, and do not needs any other program to run. Available as:

• Windows portable (zip)
  
• Linux portable (experimental, tar.gz)

Latest stable release is 0.1.4.0 (2012-11-28)

You can check planned development and functions here:
SourceForge development milestones and tickets
If you have an account on SurceForge, you can submit requests as a ticket, or add comments to existing tickets.

BrickUtils on SourceForge
BrickUtils web page

Let me know what do you think about BrickUtils!

Please use this thread for feedback and support on BrickUtils.

Thank you.

Edited by Mario Pascucci, 28 November 2012 - 11:52 AM.

[Superkalle]

Good idea to make a general topic about the tool (like proposed by Calabar).  

[Mario Pascucci]

New BrickUtils release is out.

Refer to first post for details.

Thank you.

[Mario Pascucci]

Hi people.
I'm really happy to inform you that a "candidate release" of BrickUtils is out: 0.1.0.RC1

Refer to this post for software and manual.

[Calabar]

Hi Mario, Thanks for this new release.

A little question about the software: can I create my part list inserting the set I have, and then select only a part of these sets to use the "Can Build?" function to build a custom set, whose brick list has been imported from a lxf or ldr file?

[Mario Pascucci]

Calabar, on 28 March 2012 - 04:46 PM, said:

Hi Mario, Thanks for this new release.

A little question about the software: can I create my part list inserting the set I have, and then select only a part of these sets to use the "Can Build?" function to build a custom set, whose brick list has been imported from a lxf or ldr file?

No. The "can build?" function take account for all bricks in your catalog, regardless of "originating" set.

But, maybe, this will be a "feature" for one next release... let me think about it.

If you use the "portable" version, you can install it twice: fill first database with all your set, next copy only the database in a fresh install (delete first the original catalog file), removing sets you don't want to use for building checks.

[Mario Pascucci]

Hi people.

A new release is out, rel 0.1.0.0
BrickUtils is now quite stable, but I plan to add more features:

• italian language manual
  
• database structure to take account of bricks used for MOCs or builded set when checking "Can Build": this way, you can mark some of your set as "unavailable", or exclude bricks used for other MOCs (ideas from Calabar, thank you ).
  
• add capability to import some other file format (like SR3D files).

[Mario Pascucci]

BrickUtils new release is out: 0.1.3.0

New in this release:
* Automatic update for catalog via Internet
* Updated for LDraw library 2012-02

Please refer to top post for full details and software features.

Thank you.

[vynsane]

Looks cool, but... two things:

Windows, Linux... No Mac version?

Is there a planned future provision for supporting collections saved at Brickset? I don't have my collection inventoried at BrickLink.

[purpleparadox]

vynsane, on 21 August 2012 - 05:42 PM, said:

Is there a planned future provision for supporting collections saved at Brickset? I don't have my collection inventoried at BrickLink.

I'm about to start a Brickset inventory, so I sure hope that there's a BrickUtils-Brickset version planned.

Edited by purpleparadox, 21 August 2012 - 07:38 PM.

[Mario Pascucci]

Hi,
thank you for your interest in BrickUtils  

@vynsane:
To do a Mac Version I need a Mac, but I don't own one, so...
Anyway, BricUtils is based on Python, and require PyGTK and SQLite, so it likely works on a Mac, but I can't build a package ready for release/install by normal user.

@vynsane,purpleparadox:
It is possible to add a such function, but... Brickset give only a list of sets, where Bricklink give the complete inventory for every set. So, in the way BrickUtils works, after you import a list of set from Brickset, you have an empty brick collection: to fill in with correct types and quantities you have to download manually the inventory for every set you own, import in BrickUtils and "connect" it with set.
And no, BrickUtils cannot automatically get set inventory from Bricklink, it is strictly denied by site rules and policies (http://www.bricklink....asp?helpID=139). So, importing set list from Brickset can be arranged, but it is a little useless.

Edited by Mario Pascucci, 31 August 2012 - 07:40 PM.

[Mario Pascucci]

Hi all.
Just released a new version with LDD latest bricks (LDD 4.3.5, bricks ver 835.3)

Thank you and enjoy.

Mario

[Calabar]

The installer seems to be ad 0.1.3.0 still.
Do you think to update it or you leave the portable version only?

[Mario Pascucci]

Calabar, on 28 November 2012 - 01:48 PM, said:

Do you think to update it or you leave the portable version only?

I have really short time, so for now I release only "portable" versions.
Sorry.

[Calabar]

No problem for me, I use the Portable version
I was only curious to know if you indend to maintain the installer too.