Creating build instructions using LDD

[Bzroom]

Sorry if this has been posted to death. I searched the forums and with Google and could only find a bit of information.

The way I see it, using LDD, I need to build the model in the order that I would expect the builder to assemble it.

I'd rather build the model from all sides, recreating sub components as I dissemble the original. I'd rather that digitization process not affect the build instructions.

It would definitely be possible to build one version in LDD with any arbitrary order, and then build another in a better order. I could maybe import and export different components to create modules. I'm not sure how this will affect the assembly instructions. I could save different components into different files, representing the major components to assemble, and then build these all again once more in a master file.

I'm just thinking out loud now.

How do you guys do it? Can you recommend me a guide?

Edited March 13, 2013 by Bzroom

[DLuders]

@ Bzroom: Many AFOL MOC Building Instructions are created using LDraw, not Lego Digital Designer (LDD). There is no good way of controlling LDD's arbitrary building order, no matter whether there are "modules" or not. I know this from having built this Lego Easter Egg using LDD. Even when I created INDIVIDUAL LAYERS of bricks as modules, LDD's Building Guide Mode would build bricks in ADJACENT LAYERS before completing the previous layer. To create PDF Building Instructions that showed each layer in a logical order, I had to take LDD Screen Prints and paste them into PowerPoint. In the Building Guide Mode, LDD has a bad habit of not finishing individual modules in the order they were created. Bricks are sometimes being added in an illogical order. For Lego Technic MOCs, LDD can be a nightmare.

[Bzroom]

I kind of suspected that "dont use LDD" would be the advice. I was optimistic and hoping that I could use the official LEGO tool.

I'll give LDraw a shot. Thank you.

I have another quick question before I give up on LDD completely.

I'm trying to use the "filter pallet by sets" feature, since my MOC uses parts from a single set.

When I click on the filter button, it only says "hero factory" and I can't figure out how to pick a set.

Has anyone had any luck with that feature?

Edited March 14, 2013 by Bzroom

[Lipko]

It should be doable with LDD, but would be very manual. I'd build the model in order (as you said) but take screenshots of the model at each building steps.

I would do that (somehow I'm a pervert and like to work with inappropriate tools), the biggest problem is that LDD lacks even the most trivial parts.

(I tried the building guide mode on a 2100 part Technic model. After 10 minutes the progress bar was still at about 5% any time I tried).

The easiest (and still best IMHO) way to make instructions is to disassemble the real model and take pictures of every steps. Then all you have to do is reverse the order of the pictures. This way smooth and quite "exciting" building experience can be achieved, and you can be dead sure that the instruction steps can be built well: without stressed parts, floating things, too weak structures, poorly accessible places, no grabbing points to hold the model etc. (something that is mostly not truth even with the best quality AFOL CAD instructions out there...)

Edited March 14, 2013 by Lipko

[Bzroom]

Awesome advice! Thank you. I need to assemble my light booth and attain a DSLR in order to do that!

I was kind of hoping that LDD would allow to me to filter parts by set, to verify i hadn't used any extra pieces. But it seems like that is wishful thinking at that LDD doesnt actually include many sets to filter by (around 5 in total.)

The reversed-disassembly seems like a great way to go.

[hrontos]

I was kind of hoping that LDD would allow to me to filter parts by set, to verify i hadn't used any extra pieces. But it seems like that is wishful thinking at that LDD doesnt actually include many sets to filter by (around 5 in total.)

If you will create UserPalettes folder in your LDD folder (in the %AppData%\LEGO Company\LEGO Digital Designer) and put there an LXF file with any model, it will act as a custom palette. So you will be able to limit offered parts to colors and parts used in that LXF file.

For BI I was able to use Groups and later some simple XSLT transformation to convert the groups and subgroups into BI steps. But proper grouping isn't very easy, since grouping functionality has some limits in the LDD (you are not able to insert group between groups, it is always added to the end of the group list), rearranging of the groups is also not possible so you have to think quite a lot in advance (or make manual corrections in the LXF file, when you missed something).

[Bzroom]

Thank you! Perfect timing for that advice because I have just created the palette model!

However, when I create the folder like you asked, and placed my model there (named: HotRod.lxf), LDD failed to launch saying "Could not load content, please reinstall."

edit: This worked on my Windows 7 machine! (but not xp)

For building instructions. I plan to use Lipko's advice. I'll build the entire model in LDD, then i'll take it apart, step by step, taking screen shots. If I move the removed parts into a small group in the corner before the screen shot, then when i play back the images in reverse, it will represent the parts needed for the next step.

Edited March 14, 2013 by Bzroom

[Bzroom]

Sorry to bump my own post, but I've managed to wrangle LDD and POVRay!

Edit: Oops i posted this in the wrong thread of mine. :/

Edited March 15, 2013 by Bzroom