MLCad New user issues with Grid

[kieran]

Hi all,

I am trying to get into MLCad and have an issue with snapping to grid when using SNOT building. I am building a train but as soon as I try and attach the front i start to get thing not lining up, so i have to switch to the find grid and then its all OK, but allinging the next parts takes long than with the course grid. is this normal?

[jamie75]

While I may not be the best person to answer this, I will tell you. I used to be an avid MLCAD user. Building a ton of models in it, that I than, in turn built in real bricks. And, I want to say yes, this is normal. If IIRC, anytime you switch between course and fine grid. You will have a problem. Once you start using fine, your stuck with it for the rest of the model.

I now use, LDD and haven't looked back to MLCAD in years.

Try it, if you haven't. I find it alot easier to use.

Hope this helps, Jamie

[legolijntje]

I don't fully understand what you mean, but here are two things you might consider:

• Try editing the grid to make it better for snot building
  
• There's a setting in MLcad that let's newly inserted parts use the previous part position data. You can turn that on or off and see if it makes things easier.
  

But, as jamie75 also says, MLcad is not that user-friendly in nowadays standards. As jamie75 says, LDD is a lot easier.

However, if you like to keep all the advantages of LDraw (like me), I can suggest to take a look at SR3D Builder. However, the developer sadly passed away a few months ago... It's still very usable, so you can give it a shot.

Instead of SR3D Builder, you can also take a look at LDCad, which is also quite good. It takes some time to get used to, but it's far easier than MLcad.

If you have any more questions regarding MLCad, LDD, SR3D Builder, LDcad or any other Lego software, you can always ask them in the this forum

[Walter Kovacs]

To answer your question: Yes, this is normal, especially if you use MLCad's default grid settings.

I have changed the settings on the grid to something I am comfortable with. You can get there by going to: Settings => General => Change and go to the Step, Grid, Snap tab.

I set my coarse grid to X: 10, Y: 8 Z: 10 and the Rotation to 90. This will move a part half a stud in the X or Z plane (the two horizontal directions) and raise it 1 plate in the Y (vertical).

The Medium Grid is set to X:1, Y: 1, Z:1 and 22.5. This grid I use primarily on SNOT work. It's fine enough that I typically never need more than 4 movements to line anything up in any one direction. The rotation angle happens to be exactly one 'click' on a locking hinge.

The Fine grid I set to X: 0.5, Y: 0.5, Z: 0.5 and rotation of 0.5. I rarely need to move anything in the XYZ planes on the fine grid. I use it primarily for rotations, and I tend to change the rotation setting depending on how small I need to rotate. I've gone down to 0.05 degrees for some rotations.

Hope this helps.

[kieran]

Thanks all, I started with ldd and found it really hard to use. Mlcad seems really easy to me, but the grid was bothering me. I will try the settings subjected and see what happens.