LDD 5, what features do YOU want?

[suenkachun]

Here's a suggestion which can help a lot. Every time LDD is restarted, the order of the Templates is changed, which can be bothering if you have many. Can we somehow customise the order of the Templates to keep related ones together?

[suenkachun]

Here's another suggestion: "Find And Replace", just like in Microsoft Office products. Basically, the function lets you find and/or replace certain Bricks in your model, and you can set certain filters before you run the search.

[Tenosit]

Three words: All Secret Colors

If only I can see them, I'm totally mad.

[Classicsmiley]

Three words: All Secret Colors

If only I can see them, I'm totally mad.

What colors are those?

[YellowCorvette]

1.A Mirror function.(THis function allow you to clone a model, but mirrored)

2.Colour customizer. You can customize the colour of the parts in LDD.

[Tenosit]

The o

What colors are those?

Do you see them?

The one I can recognize is old purple (between two other purple colors).

[Calabar]

Three words: All Secret Colors

It is not exactly the same thing, but you can create a custom template including these "hidden" colours (editing the lxfml file and adding the correct colour code) and apply them using the eyedropper and the paint bucket tools.

Take a look at the LDD Reference topic.

Edited September 20, 2015 by Calabar

[Tenosit]

It is not exactly the same thing, but you can create a custom template including these "hidden" colours (editing the lxfml file and adding the correct colour code) and apply them using the eyedropper and the paint bucket tools.

Take a look at the LDD Reference topic.

Thanks!

But strange thing is that they appeared due to error in version updating. It simply said "An Error occurred!" and nothing more.

So, why they cannot add these colours directly?

Edited September 20, 2015 by Tenosit

[Lyichir]

Thanks!

But strange thing is that they appeared due to error in version updating. It simply said "An Error occurred!" and nothing more.

So, why they cannot add these colours directly?

I think a big part of it is just because LDD's drop-down menus in general are desperately in need of an update. Back in the day the color palette DID include more colors, but because of the way it was coded, people with smaller computer screens couldn't even select from the full range of colors.

Speaking of which, that's a big thing I'd like to see in the next major update. Those drop down menus need attention—not just for colors, but also for the infuriatingly small decoration thumbnails.

[suenkachun]

I think a big part of it is just because LDD's drop-down menus in general are desperately in need of an update. Back in the day the color palette DID include more colors, but because of the way it was coded, people with smaller computer screens couldn't even select from the full range of colors.

Speaking of which, that's a big thing I'd like to see in the next major update. Those drop down menus need attention—not just for colors, but also for the infuriatingly small decoration thumbnails.

Very true! From what I've seen in different sources, we need scrolling features for all oversized menu items and make sure that you can do that with your middle mouse, try and prevent the oversized menu items from freezing after you scroll for a while, and like you said have bigger images for the different decos (especially Minifigure Tops, Legs and Arms!).

[Cadder]

Make balls (soccer, basketball) easier to be placed/moved around where you want them. Perhaps just a simple 'gravity' function. If that's not feasable, then I want a ball to sit (for example) on *this* plate, between the 4 studs.

Big help in making GBC modules.

..axially, while we're at it, how about adding the old 4.5v SINGLE inner/outer curved train rails? Straight ones are there, just not the curves.

Edited September 28, 2015 by Cadder

[suenkachun]

Better Instructions are needed! I generated one yesterday and discovered that LDD would build parts in an unrealistic way. For example, it built the top Brick and the bottom Brick before building the Brick in between! Another time it built the middle Brick before building the top Brick, then the bottom Brick was built, meaning that the middle Brick would have been dangling in mid-air before I connected it on top! In both cases, you then had to take apart a certain Brick(s) to insert the next Brick(s)! In fact, Bricks dangling in mid-air is quite common as seen in past instructions I generated, which is so unrealistic and inconvenient!

[Zerobricks]

I'd pay for a version with working inverse kinematics, animations and physics...But that would require a different engine...

[xlib]

Better Instructions are needed! I generated one yesterday and discovered that LDD would build parts in an unrealistic way.

Majority of generated instructions for technic models will be woefully incorrect. That's because, generating "correct" instructions (that can be actually built) is hard algorithmic problem.

[suenkachun]

How about a better way to generate instructions if you want to separate your model into several parts but keep everything in one file, such as one floor into one instruction book? Many official LEGO sets ask you to build them in sections before combining the sections, so that's something worth improving.

[peedeejay]

It would already be helpful if instructions were generated into a direction like "bottom up". Generating an instruction for a 4k+ modular buildings results in something which is built from the inside to the outside...

Well I'd still go the way to MLCad and LPub anyway I guess.

I would like to see:

1) 4 view interface to display a model from the front, bottom, top, etc (pretty much like any real CAD program offers

2) groups in groups

3) repaint for multi selection

4) mirror tool

5) performance optimizations for large models

6) possibility to directly place something which does not connect (e.g. a minifig standing on a tiled floor)

[xlib]

1) 4 view interface to display a model from the front, bottom, top, etc (pretty much like any real CAD program offers

I think if would be nice if editing interface would work as in real CAD program too. In AutoCAD in isometric view you can't move object in all 3 axis: only in selected 2. That's correct way of doing things: both screen and mouse work in 2D. In contrast, LDD tries to move object in 3D space by using 2D input. Sometimes it work, sometime it does not.

[Calabar]

In AutoCAD in isometric view you can't move object in all 3 axis: only in selected 2.

I think that the LDD approach is the right one considering the target of the software.

However an option to temporarily lock the movement in 2 axes could be useful in certain situations, for example it could be obtained holding down a key.

[Plokman]

If I could have three features in LDD in the next update they would be exporting to a Blender compatable format for the models, A way to add in custom elements/bricks, and a easier way to add custom decals.

My reasons for the 2nd one is what if we want to suggest a new set on Ideas and want to add a new head piece for a Minifig or a new tool? Well as it stands from what I've learned you can get in deep trouble trying to add such things currently and the only other way to show off such a idea would be to have a knack with blender and make the set from the ground up in that.

I think based off some of the sets I've seen on Ideas Lego is far more tolerant to custom decals in LDD seeing as there are new face decals and labels in quite a few sets I've seen and am supporting.

By the way if I'm wrong on the new piece thing forgive me. I only looked into it for a hour last night before bed and I'm currently running on like 4 hours of sleep.

[suenkachun]

Here's something useful. When adding new Bricks to LDD, can they not only be added to LDD Extended but the Regular Mode of LDD in the correct colour(s) as well? We can then search for and use these new Bricks much easier. Here's an example of a "missing" Brick: In the Regular Mode of LDD, I could only find the Eagle Wing Right (Part 11777), but not the Eagle Wing Left (Part 11778). Instead I found the Left Wing only existing in LDD Extended.

[Plokman]

After a very long and for me worrying conversation I'd like to make a addendum to my wanted features list.

Firstly get rid of my idea on custom pieces let lego decid on new elements for the sets. After all they havn't let us down before.

Secondly on my decal importing idea make it like the Rotation Tool in that you can select a brick a small dialog box pops up asking you to pick a image (most likely a limit on Pixel hight and width would be best.) and then a small selector pops up in the HUD allowing you to pick the side for it to go on.

Lastly I thing allowing us to set the pallet color with a eye dropper tool like how Sony Vegas handels Chroma Keys would be perfect that way you could select a color that is on screen for your currently selected element.

Anyway thats the two features I truly would love to see next update. LDD team keep being awesome.

Edited November 4, 2015 by Plokman

[RacerRabbit]

I hope LDD gets updated soon. I really want to see the new Speed Champions parts on there.

[xlib]

I think that the LDD approach is the right one considering the target of the software.

However an option to temporarily lock the movement in 2 axes could be useful in certain situations, for example it could be obtained holding down a key.

If you want working example of 3D editing for non-professional audience done good, look at TinkerCAD. This (web-based!) editor solves match harder problem, where building blocks may be resized, not only moved or rotated.

[Zerobricks]

Auto save function which saves you file under a different name with a date, like XYZ_17_03_9_11_2015,XYZ_17_13_9_11_2015, XYZ_17_23_9_11_2015, etc over an adjustable time period. This way we have all versions in order to revert and saves.

[suenkachun]

Auto save function which saves you file under a different name with a date, like XYZ_17_03_9_11_2015,XYZ_17_13_9_11_2015, XYZ_17_23_9_11_2015, etc over an adjustable time period. This way we have all versions in order to revert and saves.

Totally agree with that! This can avoid us loosing files, especially when LDD has been forced to shut down or errors appear when we save the file!