djm

Yes and no! While the instructions do not contain a bill of materials, the MPD file can be used to produce one, as follows; download the MPD file use BrickStock (available as a free download) and import the MPD file apply the part "fixes" listed below when BrickStock identifies an issue with the part. Use the category list on the left hand side of the "fix" dialog - also listed below - to speed up the "fix" process use the BrickStock menu option "File/Export/BrickLink Wanted List XML to Clipboard", follow the instructions (which will open BrickLink) paste the content of your clipboard into space provided for XML. Suggestion: you may want to amend the notify tag from Y to N to prevent receiving a flood of part notifications being sent by BrickLink. The part fixes are: [Tire & Tread] 50945 for 50951 [Technic, Gear] 3648 for 3648b [Technic] 4265c for 32123b [slope] 3040 for 3040b [Electric, Motor] 58120c01 for 58120 [Technic, Shock Absorber] 2909c02 for 75348 [Technic, Gear] 60c01 for 76244 Regards, David

The parts came through from my BrickLink orders recently so I was able to try the actual build using the instructions. Take note of the following observations about the (my!) build instructions; The build instructions and MPD files have been updated. The links remain as they were but point to the updated files. One blue 3L technic pin has been added (on step 7, page 77) at the "top-most" point. This was absent in the previous version of the build instructions/MPD but became obvious one I did the actual build. I've found a workaround for most of the issues with using the "fade" capabilities of LPub3D. Both the medium PF motor and the shock absorber which were not displayed subsequent to their initial placement are now appearing "faded". There is still an outstanding issue with two of the 3 black 2L Technic pins being shown as faded in their initial placement. The shock absorber has been coloured yellow rather than black, as per the original video. Based on its colour, the assumption is that the shock absorber has a hard rather than soft spring. The "exit ramp" is placed in a slightly different position on the baseplate. It was being hit by the Cardan lift when in the position which I had originally assigned it to. The build instructions aren't quite in the right sequence. There will be steps where a little bit of nous will need to be applied to build the model properly e.g. where beams are connected to the baseplate via the Technic pin connector plate. The assumption is made that you will be able to work it out properly. Regards, David

Toyco (toyco.co.nz) are having one of their LEGO sales where there are no exclusions. Today only (Thursday Sep 10th). The price reductions vary and some sets may not be in stock. Regards, David

Here we are, version 11: Files that may be of use related to this are; the build instructions. These include both a BOM as a diagram and as XML suitable for use as a BrickLink wanted list the part list as a BrickStock file, should you prefer that format for managing parts. Brief descriptions of significant differences between version 10 and 11 are; The angles are now achieved using hinges rather than Technic angled connectors The connection between where the track pieces attach and the crossing is more secure Other items of note include; The centre diamond rail for the "cross arm" is better aligned with the corresponding entry and exit rails. It turns out that in version 10 there was a 2 LDU misalignment. Version 11 eliminates the misalignment. This build is not quite LDD "legal". Though it can be made so, the change to do so "feels" like it slightly weakens the strength of the assembly. The only "illegal" joins are as part of the 94 LDU separators. The following picture illustrates the "illegal" as-built solution (on the right hand side) and the corresponding "legal" equivalent (on the left hand side). I successfully stress tested this build with a train running for over an hour in a figure of eight. The structural integrity of the crossing remained sound at the conclusion of the test and no derailment or carriage detachments occurred. Hopefully marook will conduct his more challenging :"marook test" at some point and post the outcome. If anyone feels like working out a suitable ballasting design for the crossing, please go ahead and post your design. Regards, David

Ooopps. I've corrected that and replaced the PDF and MPD files so the download links refer to the corrected files. Regards, David

Posted recently on KickStarter by ME Models ... "Our goal is to have everyone taken care of before the Christmas holiday season." Here's hoping that goal is actually met.

One way is to install BrickStock (http://brickstock.patrickbrans.com/). It can import an MPD file and turn it into a part list with pictures. It can also create the XML required for a BrickLink wanted list. If you want it in Excel instead, with images, reply to this message and I can point you to another EuroBricks thread that will enable you to do that. I would recommend using BrickStock though. Regards, David

I wanted to try LPub3D (http://www.eurobrick...howtopic=111940) to create build instructions using a model of a reasonable (but not too large) size. The "part fading" capability of LPub3D appeals to me.So I used the LDR file for the Cardan Lift as my experiment. The results are available here, as; build instructions, in PDF format a modified LDraw model (from an LDR into an MPD file) Please note the following outcomes; LPub3D seems to have an issue with fading the PF medium motor, failing to render it at all. This was circumvented by placing it as the first step of a sequence of steps (page 53). However, it does not appear on subsequent pages when it should and two Technic friction pins have been faded prematurely on the subsequent step (page 54). I added two baseplates which were not in the original build. They are included in the first step of the sub-models (page 1 and page 53) but are deliberately hidden on subsequent build steps of the corresponding sub-model to reduce the "noise" they create in the build instructions. I think the original version 2 LDR file is missing one Technic Axle pin, which is visible in the photos of the model. I have added this pin and it occurs on step 9 on page 79. The Technic bricks used for the entry ramp slope from step 59 (page 42) to step 63 (page 46) will likely require a slightly different build sequence. The pins and bricks won't assemble "gracefully" in the order as presented in the build instructions. I leave this as an exercise for the reader (or for someone else to amend and recirculate the MPD file and build instructions accordingly). I replaced the "bucket" contained in the V2 LDR (as identified by torso) with the appropriate modified 1 x 2 plate with pin hole on bottom. Regards, David

Thank you very much for posting the LDraw model. I had just finished reverse engineering an approximation of your module into LDD and literally had placed orders on BrickLink for the parts. It is going to be interesting to compare my LDD build against the LDraw one to see how accurate my reverse engineering is. The plan is to include this module in the GBC display of the Aucklang LUG's annual Brick Show in October. Regards, David

or ...

I've subsequently looked at the source code for BrickStock. From what I can make out, the columns which are written to the XML file are predefined and cannot be amended. As the item weight is not one of the columns which is written, I believe that you will be unable to get BrickStock to write the weight to the XML file unless the BrickStock code is changed. Regards, David

Hi Eli, I don't know whether or not BrickStock provides the ability to define what columns appear in the XML it creates. I've had a quick look in BrickStock to see if there was a configuration option but did not find anything obvious. Perhaps someone else with greater knowledge of BrickStock may be able to help? I do know that you can save the order details from BrickLink as an XML file and that file will include the weight. The weight would then be available for use within the spreadsheet. This will only work when the data relates to an order which you have actually placed. It won't work where the parts have been only listed in BrickStock and do not have a corresponding order in BrickLink. Regards, David

Version 11 is on the back burner at the moment and is probably 6 weeks or so away. I've been working on a GBC - Akiyuki''s Cup to Cup (also available [shamless self plug] on Rebrickable). The reverse engineering of that then and writing suitable build instructions for it took a lot of time. When I stress tested version 10, I got an hour of continuous running without the crossing falling apart. The test was a simple figure of eight with each loop taking 8-9 seconds. Does yours fall apart only when the trains are travelling at speed? Roughly how long does it hang together before falling apart? Regards, David

For any Rebrickable user's here, I've posted the build instructions on Rebrickable. The interface there provides a nice visual representation of the required parts. Regards, David

Thank you. That did resolve the problem.

I get the following displayed in the messages window: Fatal error in parser: Cannot parse input. Render failed. after it has been running for about 2 minutes. David

If there is anyone there with POV-Ray installed who would like to do me a favour ... My machine is running Vista 32 bits and POV-Ray is unable to render the LDView generated POV-Ray file of the build. I'm assuming that it is 2GB memory issue for rendering. If you have a 64 bit machine, would you please try rendering the POV-Ray file and, assuming it works, upload the resulting image to whatever is your favourite hosting site and let me know so that I can download the image. I was think of posting the build to Rebrickable but was looking for a rendered image to include. Hi Theo, not in the immediate future. There's a few other things on my "To Do" list (including a version 11 of the Train Diamond Crossing, which is work in progress but is fully LEGO "legal" and buildable in LDD). Regards, David

Thank you. If you haven't already done so, you may want to look at this thread to ensure you are building the most recent design. Regards, David

Here we are then. The build instructions are available in two forms; as a PDF file as a LDraw MPD file The PDF file is probably the place to start as it is a standalone file. It was generated by processing the MPD file with LPub. Aside from the pictorial Bill of Materials in the instructions, the parts required for the build are also available in two different formats; as a BrickStock file as a BrickLink Wanted List file Use which ever one suits you best. If you do download the MPD file, it references the following image files, which need to be located in the same directory as the MPD file should you use LPub; http://bricksafe.com.../cup_to_cup.png http://bricksafe.com.../bom_1_of_4.png http://bricksafe.com.../bom_2_of_4.png http://bricksafe.com.../bom_3_of_4.png http://bricksafe.com.../bom_4_of_4.png When you are building, if you do encounter any issues or part inventory errors, please let me know. Enjoy the build. Regards, David

The rebuild using non-rainbow colours is complete: The build instructions have been written and checked. There are a couple of tweaks to the instructions, which I plan to do this week. I expect to post the build instructions both as a PDF and a LDraw MPD file later this week. Regards, David

It's in the "LDD Extended" theme (menu option View/New themes/LDD Extended). The motor is in red but you can use the paint tool to colour the sub-assemblies. Regards, David Edit: actually, looking in LDD right now, it's also in the "motor" palette in the standard LDD theme. About the 20th item (FUNC. MOTOR 024X6M).

Thank you Philo, that link helped me to resolve that issue. I am encountering other bugs, which I shall post over on the ldraw forum as that seems a more appropriate place to report them. Regards, David

A google for this suggests that this might be caused by a missing flag to the linker. Refer to http://stackoverflow...-dll-is-missing as a possible start point for diagnosis. Regards, David

I tried this. Although the install appeared to run to successful completion, I see the following error message when I attempt to run it: My platform is Windows Vista, 32 bit, SP2. Any suggestions for resolving this? Regards, David

I, likewise, am not on Facebook ... and I have no plans to join Facebook. I've done a quick scan of all the usual suspects (Best NZ LEGO, Sego, His Kids Bricks, Toy Co, Toyworld, pricespy). Only sego seem to have them in stock but they are pretty expensive. You may do better on TradeMe, if you can convince someone there to ship to Oz. I can see one new Grand Emporium on there at the moment with a buy now price of NZ$525 - I don't know how that compares to your secondary market. Regards, David