LDD or LDraw for a newbie

[Isundir]

I've just returned from my Dark Ages, with only a couple of minor MOC's under my belt and barely any parts to work with I need some tool to build things without being restricted by my small budget for actual bricks, so my question is for a complete newbie which program would be the easiest to use? I'm looking mainly to design buildings before I buy the parts to build them IRL.

Edited June 19, 2015 by Isundir

[___]

I've just returned from my Dark Ages, with only a couple of minor MOC's under my belt and barely any parts to work with I need some tool to build things without being restricted by my small budget for actual bricks, so my question is for a complete newbie which program would be the easiest to use? I'm looking mainly to design buildings before I buy the parts to build them IRL.

As for the simplicity and most quickest results you should definitely go with LDD from LEGO.

[Rumpelmuck]

Agree! As you will become more familiar with LDD go for MLCad (based on LDraw). IMHO more flexibility but less easy to use as LDD.

Edited June 19, 2015 by Rumpelmuck

[Withacee]

I agree LDD is a lot easier to get started, mainly for the auto-snap functions and the flexible zoom- and rotate interface.

The LDraw format provides a lot better options for creating instruction manuals, though.

You can autogenerate one with LDD, but they are usually pretty bad, especially for the more complicated models.

There are a few other options. I find jBrickBuilder promising; it combines the LDraw format with autoconnect.

Still in Beta, though.

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=105777&hl=jbrickbuilder

Edited June 19, 2015 by Withacee

[Isundir]

Alright thanks guys I'll start with LDD.

[rahziel]

Hmm, LDD is a good tool, one of the things wich irritated me was the damn auto generated construction manual. I'll check those options too :)

[Philo]

Just for the record... LDCad is a LDraw editor that does provide autoconnect!

[Classicsmiley]

What's the best way for someone like me to start learning LDCad? I've been using MLcad since the late '90s, and LDD since it got good (version 2?), but I find myself lost when I try to start building something in LDCad. Is there a way to set up my own hotkey mappings, to maybe be able to keep using some of the same keyboard shortcuts I'm used to?

[Philo]

No, configurable shortkeys are not yet available. Roland is planning it for a future version. For now, a map of shortcuts is available here. Tutorials and documentations are here, look especially at basic editing/advanced editing. There are also a few

.

[Classicsmiley]

Thanks. I'll watch the videos, and look forward to being able to configure my own hotkeys. I've been finding myself trying to use LDD hotkeys in MLcad, and I'd rather not add a third scheme to the mix... I'm hoping once I really figure out that the editing pin is for that things will start to make sense for me.

Edited July 13, 2015 by Classicsmiley

[Philo]

Yes it does. I too had a hard time in the beginning to figure out things, but it's now a delight to use.

[jackalope]

I used LDD, ldraw and also leocad..

LDD is definitively the most simple and usefull of all...

[afol1969]

For quick designs, creating, building process --> LDD

For creating instructions --> LDRAW

Greetings

Alex

[nickless]

If you use a proper editor like LDCad (not MLCad, that is), you will get results just as quick as withc LDD.

What I like about LDRaw is the flexibilty of an open system where you're not limited by what TLG gives you. If you think some color definitions are inaccurate (trans dark blue in LDD, anyone?), just change them. Need a part or a sticker that's missing, you can create it yourself.

I certeinly couldn't have built this in LDD.