Looking for an API to outline set steps

[CopperMoon]

Hi everyone! 

Here's some background: There is a website called "archipelago", that allows you to host randomizers for games. So, for example, you'd put in a pokémon game and a mario game, and while playing the pokémon game, you can find mario items that will then go to the mario game.
Some people have made a lego version, where you can "receive" the lego bricks you need to build your set, and "send" other games items for pages of instruction. However, they're not perfect, and had to be done manually. I think I can fix this.

However, to do so, I would need an API that, when given a set ID, gives the pieces needed for each step. AKA, step 1 needs a red stud and a brown 2x4, step 2 needs a black technic rod... (it could also just be the piece's ID, I don't mind). I am wondering if such a thing exists.
 

Thank you for your attention.

[SylvainLS]

Hi,

That doesn’t exist.

I see 3 possibilities:

1. Find how the LEGO® Builder app stores the 3D instructions.  (Only recent sets have 3D instructions, others only have PDFs.)  Not easy.
2. Make a tool that read the PDFs.  Not easy.
3. Find the sets already built with the steps in LDraw or Studio and extract that info.  The extraction would be rather straightforward (unless the author used L(3D)Pub’s buffer exchange because that allows to remove / add parts during the build).  Finding the sets built with steps is not easy.

 

[CopperMoon]

Sounds like the archipelago sets will have to stay manual for now, then. Thanks for your quick reply.