LDraw?

[Torax]

Hi everyone, first off I must apologize if this is in the wrong sub-forum.

LDraw seems to have a LOT more pieces available to build with that the official LEGO Sigital Designer software.

I have finally downloaded LDraw (the complete file thing). I am no computer expert, and this installer seems to install heaps and heaps of programs on my hard drive, as well as changing (?) some files.

So my question to you all is; is there anything that can possibly mess up things with my computer, and has anyone else out there had any problems whatsoever with LDraw?

I easily get worried with these kinds of things... Someone please tell me what this POV-ray is and esactly what it does.

I certainly do not inted to spam in any kind of way.

Thank you all.

[Shadows]

LDraw seems to have a LOT more pieces available to build with that the official LEGO Sigital Designer software.

Right. LDraw doesn't need to actually stock parts like LDD, since you can't order your creations, so it can include anything that's ever been added to it.

I have finally downloaded LDraw (the complete file thing). I am no computer expert, and this installer seems to install heaps and heaps of programs on my hard drive, as well as changing (?) some files.

Lots and lots of files. Parts, programs to do things, more parts, spyware, spam bots, viruses.

So my question to you all is; is there anything that can possibly mess up things with my computer, and has anyone else out there had any problems whatsoever with LDraw?

Never had a single problem with it.

I easily get worried with these kinds of things... Someone please tell me what this POV-ray is and esactly what it does.

Ah, you discovered their nasty little secret. POV-Ray is an ancient weapon capable of yielding catastrophic destruction upon anyone at which it is aimed. Or it might just be a program to render your LDD creations at a more professional quality. I like the former, but the latter is useful too.

Have fun and stop worrying so much!

[Paul B Technic]

I use Ldraw a bit (and work in IT support) I have never found any problems or issues with it.

Paul

[Milan]

LDraw is my favorite building program. Easy to use, great parts, fast.

No problems at all.

Few times my computer broke, due to graphic card and mainboard, I had to reinstall participation where windows was, ans when new windows was installed, LDraw (which was on other participation) worked like nothing happened!

Bunch of other small programs didn't work properly after reinstalling.

In other words, LDraw never fails me!

[Torax]

Thank you everyone! No need to worry any more!

I have tried it now a couple of times (using MLCAD)- and it's certainly harder to use than Digital Designer- but with more parts.

Another question: Which one of the different rendering tools (or whatever you call them- L3P, LPub, MLCAD, etc.) do you all prefer? MLCAD is the most appealing to me this far.

[Milan]

I am using MLCad to build the model, to see if everything is nice and build-able, then I use LDView to make really nice pictures with .ldr files.

[CP5670]

I used to use MLCad in the past, but have started using SR3D Builder lately. The interface is a little unintuitive and takes some getting used to, but it's far more powerful than MLCad or LDD. It has a good OpenGL renderer and checks physical connections like LDD, but uses the LDraw parts library like MLCad. It can even do collision-based animations for Technic models, although I haven't really looked into that.

I like MLCad's four-panel interface but the program hasn't been updated in a long time, and its software renderer looks ugly and goes very slow when your model has a lot of pieces.

LDraw is my favorite building program. Easy to use, great parts, fast.

I'm guessing by LDraw, you mean the various programs that use the LDraw parts standard. Nobody uses the actual LDraw program anymore, which I think runs in DOS only.

[Milan]

Sorry, my bad,

I meant MLCad!

I prefer MLCad, and I am really get used to it.

Tried SR3D Builder, but looked complicated (probably like MLCad when used for the first time).

So you are now more on the SR3D side?

I might try it again, too, it looks very modern.

[CP5670]

I prefer MLCad, and I am really get used to it.

Tried SR3D Builder, but looked complicated (probably like MLCad when used for the first time).

I also found it hard to get used to at first, coming from MLCad. I still think its default keyboard bindings are confusing, but I made custom mouse and keyboard profiles for it that remap some of the keys.

Once you get the hang of it, it has a lot more potential than MLCad, especially for SNOT and Technic construction. I can make such things in it much faster now than I could in MLCad. MLCad often fails to correctly position parts that are oriented sideways (like Technic pins and axles) and forces you to do it manually, which is very time consuming, while SR3D detects the actual connections between parts and has no problems with this.

The

is also very cool, although it only works on some kinds of parts right now. Edited November 4, 2009 by CP5670

[Milan]

I have just tried it again...

It looks good as LDView. Thats nice. But it is confusing to use it!

Can you load your models from MLCad in SR?

I tried, but models are without tires, pneumatic cylinders, LAs...

Also, do you have big tires in SR? I have just a rims.

I will have to try more, it has good stuff!

Edited November 5, 2009 by Milan

[CP5670]

Yeah, they use the same ldr/mpd format.

It does have some kind of bug where some parts might not show up when you first load a model. If you just click on some part and deselect it though, all the missing stuff appears.

[Torax]

How about we (Mods/Admin) make this and official LDraw topic (unless there already is one).

If there already is one, this may be closed.

Thank you everyone! I think I'll stick to MLCAD. :P