Enilder Posted January 10, 2010 Posted January 10, 2010 (edited) Couldn't find this info from this forum after search so I am posting this thread. After reading Blakbird's thread (http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=23066&hl=rendering), I was looking into it but it appears to be the program is only compatible with Mac, not Windows. After spending some time google, I found bunch websites (freeware) for LEGO rendering (CAD programs) and wasn't sure if there's a program that's superior to other programs that are available. 1. http://www.ldraw.org/Article58.html Above seems to be quite popular one based on Brickshelf galleries but I also found this: 2. http://www.kaejae-worx.com/don/lego/howto.htm I am just extremely bored...waiting for a set of LEGOs to come...I need to find something to kill time! Thanks! [edit] maybe ldraw is the way to go... seems like it doesn't support 64-bit Windows? Edited January 10, 2010 by Enilder Quote
DLuders Posted January 10, 2010 Posted January 10, 2010 You could also consider MLCAD (http://www.lm-software.com/mlcad/ ) which uses LDRAW. Quote
Enilder Posted January 10, 2010 Author Posted January 10, 2010 You could also consider MLCAD (http://www.lm-software.com/mlcad/ ) which uses LDRAW. "Windows 95/98/ME, NT 4.0, Windows 2000 or Windows XP and Linux." I have Windows Vista and 7 :( Time to look for XP (?). Quote
DLuders Posted January 10, 2010 Posted January 10, 2010 (edited) You should still be able to run MLCAD on Windows 7 or Vista, even though the last (2005) version didn't list them (because these operating systems weren't available yet). Older software can usually run on new operating systems. You could download MLCAD for free and see if it works or not -- I'll bet that it will. I'm running Microsoft Office 2002 on Windows Vista with no problems. Edited January 10, 2010 by dluders Quote
CP5670 Posted January 10, 2010 Posted January 10, 2010 Yes, practically anything that works on XP will also work on Vista and 7. The only exceptions are some very old 16-bit programs. SR3D is also worth checking out. The interface is not as intuitive as MLCad, but it's a more powerful and featured program overall. Also, MLCad and SR3D are modeling programs. For rendering, POVRay is commonly used for Lego models. If you don't need a raytraced, high quality render, you can also just open the model in LDView and take a screenshot. Quote
Sumendar Posted January 10, 2010 Posted January 10, 2010 (edited) I haven't had any problems with MLCad and Vista so far. edit: And this is 64-bit Vista, which usually has somewhat more complications than the 32-bit one, even with relatively new software. Edited January 10, 2010 by Sumendar Quote
Enilder Posted January 10, 2010 Author Posted January 10, 2010 ldraw027.exe <- this file can't be executed in 64 bit, which I downloaded from the official website. Are you guys using 32 bit by chance? Thanks a lot!!! Quote
CP5670 Posted January 10, 2010 Posted January 10, 2010 64-bit Vista and 7 run 32-bit programs fine. Is it actually giving you an error message? It might be that the installer doesn't recognize the OS, even though it would work fine on it otherwise. Quote
Enilder Posted January 10, 2010 Author Posted January 10, 2010 Yeah still giving me errors... ldraw027.exe and complete.exe can't be executed. (asking me to check which OS I am running (32 or 64 bit)) My directory is: D:/LEGO/LEGOCAD/ldraw027.exe D:/LEGO/LEGOCAD/complete.exe D:/LEGO/LEGOCAD/mlcad320/all mlcad files after extracted from zip When I execute mlcad.exe, it asks me for part directory, which I assume is the complete.exe. I was following ReadMe from mlcad file and the execution file that I am suppose to run first is ledit.exe. Hm... Quote
DLuders Posted January 10, 2010 Posted January 10, 2010 I think these instructions may help you: http://www.holly-wood.it/mlcad-en.html . Be advised that there are UPDATES for MLCAD available from http://news.lugnet.com/cad/mlcad/ . Recommend that you get the basic MLCAD program running on your PC, then update it. Quote
CP5670 Posted January 10, 2010 Posted January 10, 2010 I don't remember doing anything with ledit.exe. The MLCad readme hasn't been updated in years and could contain outdated information. I think the "complete" install is just a self-extracting rar or zip, in which case you can use 7-zip or any other standard compression program to unpack it manually. Or you could try installing the SR3D package instead, which also contains the LDraw parts library. Quote
Dryw Filtiarn Posted January 10, 2010 Posted January 10, 2010 I'm not having any issues running MLCad and the other programs on Windows Vista 64, I think Windows 7 64 will also run it just fine. You also mention ldraw027.exe, which isn't the one you would need to get started anyway. Have a look at this page on the LDraw site: http://www.ldraw.org/GetStarted-Win.html At the "How do I install LDraw" section you will find a link to: ldraw_setup_2006q3_full_J.exe Which is the installer that installs LDraw, MLCad all the tools needed for rendering and the parts library. The installer should work just fine on 64bit Windows. Quote
Enilder Posted January 10, 2010 Author Posted January 10, 2010 I'm not having any issues running MLCad and the other programs on Windows Vista 64, I think Windows 7 64 will also run it just fine.You also mention ldraw027.exe, which isn't the one you would need to get started anyway. Have a look at this page on the LDraw site: http://www.ldraw.org/GetStarted-Win.html At the "How do I install LDraw" section you will find a link to: ldraw_setup_2006q3_full_J.exe Which is the installer that installs LDraw, MLCad all the tools needed for rendering and the parts library. The installer should work just fine on 64bit Windows. thanks. i think it's working now. i think i am going to rebuild 8258 model. just wondering, can you move parts within mlcad (i.e. lifting crane arms, stabilizers, etc. without recreating model). Thanks a lot!!!!! Quote
DLuders Posted January 11, 2010 Posted January 11, 2010 I don't know if you read the recent posts about the Lego Crane Truck modifications described in http://www.designer-han.nl/lego/original%20modifications.htm , but if you rebuild the standard #8258 kit, you should consider doing the "Critical" modifications shown there. MLCAD & LDRAW have a lot more Technic parts than the Lego Digital Designer 3.0 software! Quote
Enilder Posted January 11, 2010 Author Posted January 11, 2010 I don't know if you read the recent posts about the Lego Crane Truck modifications described in http://www.designer-han.nl/lego/original%20modifications.htm , but if you rebuild the standard #8258 kit, you should consider doing the "Critical" modifications shown there. MLCAD & LDRAW have a lot more Technic parts than the Lego Digital Designer 3.0 software! i am aware of it but from what i've been told, i need extra parts to do modification. if you are talking about CAD model, i decided to do 7784 (batmobile), which is a lot simpler. i thought it'd be quite complex to arbitrary position gears. the program is awesome. i am already thinking of MOC. haha Quote
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