Confused, which program should I use?

[bemuser]

I'm confused by all the different Lego building applications there are! Which is generally considered the better one, or rather, which would be better for me - I'd like to be able to:

- build models

- render in high resolution, add a surface layer to add some sort of realism

- import / export different formats - I'd rather not have to import into 3dSMax / Blender to render high quality.

- I'd like to be able to import LDD and LDRAW files if I can, this will allow me to break them apart and rebuild how I want them.

- I'd like to be able to print instructions from the model (preferably PDF) rather than have to work it out myself! I don't particularly want to have to group things together just to build the instructions.

These are the options I've found!

- LeoCAD, allows to render to POV Ray tracer (I remember this from the 90s!) Can export to obj?

- Lego Digital Designer - from what I can see this was a commercial venture to capitalise on AFOL's and allow them to order the pieces they wanted. Low quality rendering, not all pieces present

- LDraw?

- ?

Is there a silver bullet which will meet all my requirements?

[legolijntje]

Well, nowadays there are two main things:

• LDD, Lego Digital Designer. It's the official tool made by Lego.
  
• LDraw. LDraw is not a tool. It's a collection of parts, created and managed by the community. There are a lot of tools that use LDraw, including LeoCad. A few popular tools for creating models that use LDraw are MLCad (although it's quite outdated and it's slowly losing popularity), SR3D Builder (amazing tool, sadly the author passed away recently), BrickSmith (for Mac) and LDCad. Furthermore, there are all kinds of other programs that use LDraw, software to create instructions, to creat renders, manage parts and other things.
  

So, comparing LDD and LDraw is a bit difficult, because it depens on which LDraw editor you use to build your model. However, these are the main general differences:

• LDraw has A LOT more parts than LDD. LDD is made by Lego and it includes most of the parts released from ~2006 and onwards. LDraw contains almost all parts, except for minifigure parts, they are also the most difficult to create...
  
• LDD is often regarded as the easiest to use editor out of the box. LDraw editors on the other hand need a little more time to be able to really use it effiently.
  
• LDraw editors have a lot more freedom than LDD. LDD is really strict on the connections you can make, only things that are 100% "legal" connections in real life are allowed. LDraw editors often don't care about what you do, even if you place parts through each other.
  

Do note that LDD has a "snapping" feature. Bricks automaticly snap into place, so you don't have to allign them manually. Not all LDraw editors have that.

Both LDD and LDraw are widely used. Also here in the forum, you can find a lot of people from both sides. They both have their advantages and disadvantages. I personally use LDraw 100% of the time nowadays, but in the past I used LDD a lot.

If you want to try out LDraw, I would really recommend LDCad. It's in active development and I personally find it the most easiest to use LDraw editor (except for SR3D Builder).

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask

Btw, regarding instructions: LDD has an automated instructions generator. It works quite well for small to medium brick based models, but for larger models and Technic models, it's not always that good... You can also create instructions with LDraw, but that's a mostly manual process. I can go into detail about that, but I don't think that's necessary now

[Calabar]

LDraw is not a 3D design software, it is a library of parts. There are many software based on it.

LeoCAD is one of these software. Main LDraw based software are: MLCAD (old-style), SR3D Builder (perhaps the more advanced, but recently discontinued), LDCAD (young but promising), jBrickBuilder (in Java, for small models), etc...

You can easily export the models for PowRay (hight quality with LGEO libraries, see the powray guide, you can find many links in the section index).

I'm not very expert in LDraw-based software, so what for a more detailed opinion.

LDD uses a proprietary format for bricks. It allows to export to LDRAW (you need to update the LDraw.xml file), but the result is often not perfect.

It is the software you have to use if you want to deal with lxf files. The software LDD2PowRay allows you to export to PowRay and replace decorations.

PS: LDD don't allows to order parts anymore. It is now a pure tool since LEGO closes the "Design by Me" service.

Mecabricks uses a third kind of bricks format. It is ab online software (works on the browser with WebGL) and easily allows to export the models in various format.

I suggest you to carefully read the topics related to all these software.

EDIT: Oops, preceded.

Edited April 10, 2015 by Calabar

[bemuser]

lots of useful information - thanks. I have lots of reading to do!

[papacharly]

- I'd like to be able to import LDD and LDRAW files if I can, this will allow me to break them apart and rebuild how I want them.

If this is an important feature you may consider the actual database:

[KEY TOPIC] Official Lego sets made in LDraw => 1927 sets

[KEY TOPIC] Official LEGO Sets made in LDD => 4748 sets

[KEY TOPIC] Eurobricks MOC LXF Index => a few hundred (?)

So it seems that LDD builders are hard-working, while LDraw builders are quite a bit lazy.

What I highly appreciate regarding LDraw is as follows:

(1) For renders based on the LDraw system you can rely on the LGEO-library which provides nicely rounded edges for lots of parts (left: LDD/LDD2povray; right: LDraw/LDview/LGEO):

(To whom it may concern: As I am not an experienced LDD or LDD2povray user the left render may be improvable regarding edges or bevels. If so, please let me know.)

(2) LDraw is an open system: You have free access to the parts definition code. So you are able to manipulate existing parts or define your own custom parts.

(3) LDraw is not restricted: You can apply any color to any part. E.g. you may generate a pink technic axle. In LDD you are restricted to color/part combinations which exists in real life. Or you can easily create airborne/floating parts in LDraw.

(4) You can easily get in direct contact with the makers of LDraw.

But (2) and (3) are, let’s say, “advanced features”. Not sure you ever wish to make use of it.

Hope all this information is not too confusing and you will not decide for the “Dark side of the Force”.

Regards

Papacharly

Edited April 11, 2015 by papacharly

[Classicsmiley]

(3) LDraw is not restricted: You can apply any color to any part. E.g. you may generate a pink technic axle. In LDD you are restricted to color/part combinations which exists in real life. Or you can easily create airborne/floating parts in LDraw.

That is incorrect. The LDD Extended Mode palette lets you color any piece in any color. That mode also has more pieces.

[papacharly]

That is incorrect. The LDD Extended Mode palette lets you color any piece in any color. That mode also has more pieces.

Oops! Thanks for correcting me!

[Dilvish]

LDraw is not a 3D design software, it is a library of parts.

Actually, LDraw is in fact a piece of software. It is simply too antiquated to use, so everyone uses MLCad or LDCad etc.

[Calabar]

Actually, LDraw is in fact a piece of software. It is simply too antiquated to use, so everyone uses MLCad or LDCad etc.

That sounds new to me.

Anyway, looking at the LDRAW website, the LDRAW software was an old DOS software. In the LDRAW All in One Installer itself the old LDRAW software is not includer, only the parts library is there.

So I think that is not wrong to say that today LDRAW is a parts library.