Instructions and building an MOC

[Seasider]

Hi all,

I've dug out a few old sets from the loft and fancied making the 'B' model but I can't find the pdfs on the official Lego site.

Does anyone know if there is another source for the pdfs ?

Also I see there are 2 computer programmes for designing with Lego. Can anyone recommend which is best for studless technic as I'm going to start building a project or 2 and think it would be helpful to try it out on a computer as much as with the physical beams etc?

[Blakbird]

Does anyone know if there is another source for the pdfs ?

You'll need to be specific about which models you are looking for. Instructions for currently produced models can be found on the LEGO website, even for the B-models. Out of production models are no longer on the site, but you can usually find a link the instructions on Brickset.

Also I see there are 2 computer programmes for designing with Lego. Can anyone recommend which is best for studless technic as I'm going to start building a project or 2 and think it would be helpful to try it out on a computer as much as with the physical beams etc?

Actually there are LOTS of CAD programs for LEGO. Which two are you referring to? For Technic I would recommend SR3D because it allows actual kinematic connections between parts.

[Seasider]

Sets 8041 & 8297 to start with

For the programmes I was referring to LDD and I can't remember what the other was that I was reading about in the subsection on the forum

Thanks for the help blakbird

[Teessider]

Brickinstructions and brick.argz.com both contrain instructions as well.

[Blakbird]

Sets 8041 & 8297 to start with

For the programmes I was referring to LDD and I can't remember what the other was that I was reading about in the subsection on the forum

Thanks for the help blakbird

Oddly, the instructions for those B models are not listed at Brickset. I have PDFs of both of them. If you can't find them, send me a PM with your email address and I will get them to you.

The CAD program written by LEGO is LDD (LEGO Digital Designer).

The following editors use the LDraw library (user created): MLCAD, LeoCAD, SR3D, Bricksmith. I'm sure there are others.

[Lipko]

My opinions about the programs:

LDD: very easy to use, I can build almost as fast in it as with real bricks, even with Technic (if the part searching is included in the process, I can build faster in LDD). The reason is that the pieces automatically snap together in the most intuitive ways. With a bit of practice and experience, even gearboxes are fast to make. The huge burden of the program (which actualy led me to other programs) is the lack of many pieces (even very trivial, common Technic pieces), and the inability to add custom pieces to it.

The flexible tube/axle function is poor too, and the rotation functions are unstable, though there are tricks for using these rotation functions (usually the trick is to work on an assembly separate from the main model, and only build from the absolutely necessary parts in that separate assembly. Then after the successful rotation, move only the necessary rotated parts into the main model).

LDD also seems to be inadequate for making instructions.

MLCad: very tedious to work with, as there is no snapping or any relation between the parts, and you have to manually place the parts to make them fit. Rotation is annoying, as you can't enter a degree, only a rotation matrix (WTF?????).

The huge advantage is that practically all Lego parts ever produced can be used, because anyone can make "unofficial" parts (which are reviewed and certified), so you don't have to worry about part availability.

Other advantage is the plugin support which can make some things very easy to use. Like LSynth, for flexible things.

The other big advantage (the reason I started to use it) is Instructions making. Along with LPub, you can make professional, almost official looking instructions.

To sum it up: For fast prototyping, trying things out, quickly digitalizing a real model (so MOCing in general), LDD is the best tool for me.

For accurately and fully making a model with all of the details (digitalizing a real model) and making Instructions, MLCad with LPub is the tool for me.

Edited June 18, 2013 by Lipko