[Software] BrickUtils - Import and manage LDD and Ldraw files

[Mario Pascucci]

BrickUtils

NB: starting from october, 2015, this software become unmaintained.

Sorry for that, but my time is limited and I don't see reasons to put effort in a project with really few users.

From now on no updates, no bugfixes and no support.

BrickUtils is an utility for builders that use LEGO Digital Designer and LDraw-compatible CAD for designing models.

The main problem that BrickUtils tries to solve is the answer at the question: can I build this model with bricks I own?

So, with BrickUtils you can quickly build your brick catalog and check if you can build a model. You can also export list of bricks you can buy on BrickLink, to complete your brick collection.

Program main window

Example of exported bill of material (HTML, printable)

This thread holds all you need to know about BrickUtils

Feature list:

• Imports LDD project file (LXF or LXFML)
  
• Imports BrickLink set inventory, store inventory, order inventory
  
• Imports LDraw file format (MPD or LDR)
  
• Manage your collection of bricks, sets and bulk lots
  
• Display brick shape in 3D (from LDraw part library)
  
• Checks if you can build a model (from LDD, LDraw or a BrickLink set) against your brick catalog, and helps you to find alternate bricks
  
• Exports BrickLink "Wanted Mass Upload" XML file, to buy bricks on BrickLink
  
• Exports lists in printable HTML to helps pick bricks from your collection (a bill of materials)
  
• Exports wanted lists in user-defined format via templates (see manual)
  
• New releases check at startup
  
• Database update via Internet
  
• Imports and exports your bricks and sets catalog in XML format, for backup and upgrades
  
• Faster full text search in BrickLink and LDraw databases
  
• “Can Build?” function now includes an “export” button to create a wanted mass upload file from missing bricks, accepted by BrickLink
  
• Complete user manual (PDF, english and italian)
  

Program is totally free, Open Source (GPLv3 license), coded in Java, and do not needs any other program to run. Available on SourceForge:

Program page on SourceForge

User manual (english)

User manual (italian)

Python version remain as history, and will not receive updates.

There is a mailing list and a complete manual.

Let me know what do you think about BrickUtils!

Thank you.

Edited December 7, 2015 by Mario Pascucci

[Superkalle]

Good idea to make a general topic about the tool (like proposed by Calabar).

[Mario Pascucci]

New BrickUtils release is out.

Refer to first post for details.

Thank you.

[Mario Pascucci]

Hi people.

I'm really happy to inform you that a "candidate release" of BrickUtils is out: 0.1.0.RC1

Refer to this post for software and manual.

[Calabar]

Hi Mario, Thanks for this new release.

A little question about the software: can I create my part list inserting the set I have, and then select only a part of these sets to use the "Can Build?" function to build a custom set, whose brick list has been imported from a lxf or ldr file?

[Mario Pascucci]

Hi Mario, Thanks for this new release.

A little question about the software: can I create my part list inserting the set I have, and then select only a part of these sets to use the "Can Build?" function to build a custom set, whose brick list has been imported from a lxf or ldr file?

No. The "can build?" function take account for all bricks in your catalog, regardless of "originating" set.

But, maybe, this will be a "feature" for one next release... let me think about it.

If you use the "portable" version, you can install it twice: fill first database with all your set, next copy only the database in a fresh install (delete first the original catalog file), removing sets you don't want to use for building checks.

[Mario Pascucci]

Hi people.

A new release is out, rel 0.1.0.0

BrickUtils is now quite stable, but I plan to add more features:

• italian language manual
  
• database structure to take account of bricks used for MOCs or builded set when checking "Can Build": this way, you can mark some of your set as "unavailable", or exclude bricks used for other MOCs (ideas from Calabar, thank you ).
  
• add capability to import some other file format (like SR3D files).
  

[Mario Pascucci]

BrickUtils new release is out: 0.1.3.0

New in this release:

* Automatic update for catalog via Internet

* Updated for LDraw library 2012-02

Please refer to top post for full details and software features.

Thank you.

[vynsane]

Looks cool, but... two things:

Windows, Linux... No Mac version?

Is there a planned future provision for supporting collections saved at Brickset? I don't have my collection inventoried at BrickLink.

[purpleparadox]

Is there a planned future provision for supporting collections saved at Brickset? I don't have my collection inventoried at BrickLink.

I'm about to start a Brickset inventory, so I sure hope that there's a BrickUtils-Brickset version planned.

Edited August 21, 2012 by purpleparadox

[Mario Pascucci]

Hi,

thank you for your interest in BrickUtils

@vynsane:

To do a Mac Version I need a Mac, but I don't own one, so...

Anyway, BricUtils is based on Python, and require PyGTK and SQLite, so it likely works on a Mac, but I can't build a package ready for release/install by normal user.

@vynsane,purpleparadox:

It is possible to add a such function, but... Brickset give only a list of sets, where Bricklink give the complete inventory for every set. So, in the way BrickUtils works, after you import a list of set from Brickset, you have an empty brick collection: to fill in with correct types and quantities you have to download manually the inventory for every set you own, import in BrickUtils and "connect" it with set.

And no, BrickUtils cannot automatically get set inventory from Bricklink, it is strictly denied by site rules and policies (http://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=139). So, importing set list from Brickset can be arranged, but it is a little useless.

Edited August 31, 2012 by Mario Pascucci

[Mario Pascucci]

Hi all.

Just released a new version with LDD latest bricks (LDD 4.3.5, bricks ver 835.3)

Thank you and enjoy.

Mario

[Calabar]

The installer seems to be ad 0.1.3.0 still.

Do you think to update it or you leave the portable version only?

[Mario Pascucci]

Do you think to update it or you leave the portable version only?

I have really short time, so for now I release only "portable" versions.

Sorry.

[Calabar]

No problem for me, I use the Portable version

I was only curious to know if you indend to maintain the installer too.

[Mario Pascucci]

Hi all.

Just released a new version with LDD, BrickLink and LDraw latest bricks (LDD 4.3.6, bricks ver 1033, LDraw 2012-03)

Thank you and enjoy .

Mario

[reibuehl]

Hi Mario.I just recently discovered your software and started to use it to create an inventory of all my bricks. While entering a large number of bricks I came up with a few things that could make the software even more useful:

1. A function to clone parts in other colors. Currently if I have a "Liftarm 1 x 3 Thick" in red in my database, I have to reenter ID, Description, etc. if I want to add the same part in black. A function to clone the entry which will just ask for the new color would be great.
   
2. Speaking of colors: I found it very time consuming to enter my parts because I always had to scroll through the huge list of colors. Wouldn't it be a good idea to add a most recently used list to the top of the color selection box? This would allow you to enter parts of the same color very quickly. It also would help if the color selection box would only show the "Known Colors" from BrickLink for a given part.
   
3. Would it be possible to change the "Add Brick" dialog to have a "Search" and an "Advanced Search" button where "Search" runs a search directly on what was entered in the "LDD Part ID" or "Description" field and "Advanced Search" would run what is now behind the "Search..." button?
   

[EDIT:] I just noticed that the export missing parts to HTML function doesn't generate correct inline images. All image tags look like this:

<img width="100" height="100" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORwo="/>

Many thanks for your excellent software!

Reiner.

Edited June 4, 2013 by reibuehl

[Mario Pascucci]

Hi Mario.I just recently discovered your software and started to use it to create an inventory of all my bricks. While entering a large number of bricks I came up with a few things that could make the software even more useful:

1. A function to clone parts in other colors. Currently if I have a "Liftarm 1 x 3 Thick" in red in my database, I have to reenter ID, Description, etc. if I want to add the same part in black. A function to clone the entry which will just ask for the new color would be great.
   
2. Speaking of colors: I found it very time consuming to enter my parts because I always had to scroll through the huge list of colors. Wouldn't it be a good idea to add a most recently used list to the top of the color selection box? This would allow you to enter parts of the same color very quickly. It also would help if the color selection box would only show the "Known Colors" from BrickLink for a given part.
   
3. Would it be possible to change the "Add Brick" dialog to have a "Search" and an "Advanced Search" button where "Search" runs a search directly on what was entered in the "LDD Part ID" or "Description" field and "Advanced Search" would run what is now behind the "Search..." button?
   

[EDIT:] I just noticed that the export missing parts to HTML function doesn't generate correct inline images. All image tags look like this:

<img width="100" height="100" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORwo="/>

Many thanks for your excellent software!

Reiner.

Hi Reiner.

For 1) check the new release 0.1.6.0, the "add part" dialog has a new button named "Add&Repeat" that adds a part and remain in dialog without changing any data you entered.

For 2) you are right, I'll see in another release if it's a better way to assign a color.

For 3) in the next release ;-)

For error in generating correct inline HTML, I have no idea of why. My tests on Windows and Linux generates always a correct inline images. Do you have an active Internet connection when use this function? It is required for images, that are retrieved from an external website.

Thanks for using BrickUtils!

[Mario Pascucci]

Hi Mario....

I just noticed that the export missing parts to HTML function doesn't generate correct inline images. All image tags look like this:

<img width="100" height="100" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORwo="/>

Many thanks for your excellent software!

Reiner.

Hi Reiner, I found a little but "hard-to-see" bug in code. Now it will generate the correct inline data for images in "Export as HTML".

Hi people!

Great news!

I just released a BrickUtils version that officially support Mac OSX Snow Leopard (10.6) and later.

Check top message for details:

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=65428entry1185547

Mario

Edited June 13, 2013 by Mario Pascucci

[Mario Pascucci]

Hi people. After a year of absence, I as pleased to announce a completely rebuild BrickUtils in Java™. Program offers same functions of Python version, with more.

Program, database and manuals (english and italian) are on Sourceforge page https://sourceforge.net/projects/brickutils/

Read carefully the manual, program can import your brick catalog from Python version, so do not throw out the old version.

From now on Python version (0.1.6) will freezed, and development go on with Java version.

[Calabar]

Hi Mario,

I Downloaded the jar, but a "BrickMosaic" software opens.

Do I miss something or is it the wrong file?

[Mario Pascucci]

Hi Mario,

I Downloaded the jar, but a "BrickMosaic" software opens.

Do I miss something or is it the wrong file?

Woooops!!!

My fault. Try now. Remember to get the database file, too.

[Calabar]

Thanks, now it is the correct file!

Two little things:

- If the database is necessary, why don't create a zip file containing both the .db and the .jar file to download?

Some unexperienced user could have difficulties to manage this lack in the main download.

- At startup, the software inform me that the complete.zip file is missing. It is possible to start the software, anyway.

[Mario Pascucci]

Thanks, now it is the correct file!

Two little things:

- If the database is necessary, why don't create a zip file containing both the .db and the .jar file to download?

Some unexperienced user could have difficulties to manage this lack in the main download.

- At startup, the software inform me that the complete.zip file is missing. It is possible to start the software, anyway.

- because this time the database needs to be downloaded only the first time. Every future upgrade needs only program (.jar). I can put an automatic download but it is more dangerous, because program needs some robust checks to avoid database overwriting :-)

- it is in the manual, par. 5.1 ("primo avvio" in italian). I don't want to distribute LDraw libraries with program, so the program must download libraries itself. Because the internal logic, program needs to be restarted to "see" the new LDraw libraries the first time.

[legoman666]

I get a null pointer exception when I try to import an .lxf from LDD 4.3