parts authoring

[1963maniac]

I would like to author a part that does not exist (just for my own use). I do not understand how the following is accomplished in MLCAD. How do you get to the LDRAW\parts\directory?

from http://www.holly-wood.it/ldraw/authoring-en.html  There is a portion that says:

"The final code will look like this:

0 Brick 1 x 2
0 Name: 3004.dat
0 // Bottom rim
4 16 20 24 10 16 24 6 -16 24 6 -20 24 10
4 16 -20 24 10 -16 24 6 -16 24 -6 -20 24 -10
4 16 -20 24 -10 -16 24 -6 16 24 -6 20 24 -10
4 16 20 24 -10 16 24 -6 16 24 6 20 24 10
0 // Inner box
1 16 0 24 0 16 0 0 0 -20 0 0 0 6 box5.dat
0 // Outer box
1 16 0 24 0 20 0 0 0 -24 0 0 0 10 box5.dat
0 // Inner Stud
1 16 0 4 0 1 0 0 0 -5 0 0 0 1 stud3.dat
0 // Top Studs
1 16 10 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 stud.dat
1 16 -10 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 stud.dat
0

Opening the official 3004.dat file in the LDraw\parts\ directory with MLCad or a text editor will show the same content differing only in the sequence of the code lines."

[Philo]

38 minutes ago, 1963maniac said:

How do you get to the LDRAW\parts\directory

First check where your library is located: in MLCad (assuming it is properly configured), Settings -> general -> change and see the folder containing the library. Copy and paste the field. Then File -> open -> paste the path in file name field, press open (to go in the folder), choose the file you want to edit, press open again.

Note that it may not be a good idea to change a file in your library! make a copy first ;)

Finally, if you get serious about LDraw part editing, use LDPartEditor, which is a MUCH better part editor than MLCad (even though I used MLCad during many years for that...)

[SylvainLS]

14 minutes ago, Philo said:

even though I used MLCad during many years for that...

And here I thought you wrote everything in one go with notepad 

[Philo]

10 minutes ago, SylvainLS said:

And here I thought you wrote everything in one go with notepad 

No, I'm not a real parts author

[1963maniac]

Thanks for your help Philo.

Is there any tutorial or help files for LDPartEditor or more for MLCAD? The Holly wood it parts authoring content seems to be quite brief. 

[Philo]

@1963maniac Yeah, we desperately lack good documentation - and LDPE beeing more recent, it's even worse. Probably the best documentation available for LDPE is here . Unfortunately, it's written in French, but hopefully Google translate can help... This website (written by a LDraw parts author friend) contains a heap of useful information about part authoring. You can also find some bits of information on my own website and on LDraw wiki . You can also ask questions on LDraw forum!

[1963maniac]

Thank you, Philo! I was looking for JC Jchang stuff but didn't find it. I was feeling a little underwhelmed by the help I found before this. Now?, not so much!! THANKS!!