Superkalle

The question/issue I have with Dropbox is the longlivity of files there. In my version of free Dropbox, I could only have one file public/being synced with the folder on my computer. At one time I decided to remove the file, and then it was gone from public view. In brickshelf I get a feeling of more "stability", in the sence that once you park pictures/LXF-files there they are basically there, as sort of a collective memory (and I'm only talking about Brickshelf, not Flickr etc, since it's the only place that allows storage of other then pure image files). Also, Brickshelfs stability is in my mind really not that bad. Basically I'm wondering if not Dropbox is in its core just what the name implies, a place to temorarily put files for someone to pick up later.

Super work DLuders! Thanks so much

Well spotted bug About attachments, normally we don't allow any attachments at all. All image and files have to be shared at a separate hosting site, for example Brickshelf. The 100kb is just a service to attach small temporary files.

Not nice to see. From what I can see they are all illegal designs from TLG designers. Nice that you can "rescue" the LDD model though.

Moving this to our LEGO General forum

Good idea

A couple of small things Like I mentioned earlier - please do make the habit of taking screenshots using Ctrl-K. It makes them look much nicer without the forest background. Also, you need to re-size your pictures. The maximum allowed size on this board is 800 pixels width. Also, if you are continouing to make more trucks, I would kindly like to ask you to post them in the Town section here at Euorbricks. The LDD forum is foremost aimed at LDD related issues, but since you mentioned you were going through the whole process of also buying bricks, I thought it would be an interesting case.

(I don't even dare look at my own...)

I like the motorcycle guy with the green hair

I say welcome too. I'm particularly fond of Mindstorms, so great to hear you are trying to digitize a Mindstorms robot. Mindstorms is quite interesting per se, becuase there are two different "formats" to describe a Mindstorms creation; LXF for the geometry, and RBT for the logic - and nowhere do the two meet Maybe in the future we will see a file-format that will allow both to co-exist in one file?

If I understand correctly, you're question is somehow actually two: First you're asking if it's possible to do a true 45 degree offset, using the old macaroni. My answer is that it's most likekly not possible. LDD relies a lot on the snap-to-stud functionality, which for the most part is a really handy feature making LDD ultra fast to use. But in this case it's "working against you" since you cannot float stud connection. Then you're saying it's possible to do the offset (like with the od macaroni), with the new one. To be honest, I'm not sure exactly how it's possible. The screenshot you show is using the old Macaroni. But you're saying you can do the same with the new? I've tried it and tried it, but can't make it happen. Can you explain how you did?

Good work on the truck. Two comments: - The 99009 small turntable is actually in LDD. - I managed to place the Gear 24 tooth. I just turned the 6587 slightly (first removing the 59443). See attached file. Fixed truck.lxf

Excellent work on the Townhall Sjuip - some comments/questions below That is a bit strange - does it mean that it leans "on-top" of the stub in the real model? I mean, otherwise LDD is normally quite accurate. It would be interesting to hear from anyone who has the set (or feel like replicating that section of the model). If it leans on the stub like it does in the LDD model, that is not very good design from TLG. Also a bit strange. I guess it depends also on the angle of the roof, which in turn is dependent on the issue above. If the angle is correct, this seems like an illegal build from TLG. Yeah, annoying LDD issue that you can't fine tune position better.

Good work EM4CZ. Do you think you could try to make the lamellas "symmetrical" on both sides. As it is now, there is a quite an angle on the black one, and on the other side it's vertical on the other side. The result is that the knobs on the lamellas touch into the 6183 Arch, and if TLG ever decides to upgrade the collission volumes on that brick, the lamellas will be removed when opening the file. I don't know if this is easy to do, but maybe you can give it a try. Also, I edit your post to remove the indexing style heading and just make it an update to Sjuips post. EDIT: Just saw that vean did something too. Checking that out now... EDIT2: Vean, your folder is not public yet. Can you deeplink?

Actually, searching for 5-8 digit code (aka ElementIDs) do work in LDD, however only in LDD mode, not in Extended mode. Try for example to search for 4264580 in LDD Mode. It should return a dark blue 2x2 brick. However, these numbers (ElementID's) change over time, so they are not so good to use. For example BrickLink may have one number listed, and there is another one in LDD. So, the best way to search is by using DesignID's like you say Dluders, which are more stabile. However, using the BrickLink numbers is not foolproof. Of all the DesignsID's in LDD, 15% or so do not have the same number as in BrickLink. It's getting better though, as BrickLink is slowly updated to use the official LEGO part numbers.

... and I assume you also have Advanced shading set to max? Anyway, I have to agree with Holodoc, the screenshots look really good!

Really nice! I'll take it! BTW: Could you try to nudge the whole block of text a bit up? The "Digital Designer" text is centered, but it makes the "and other digital tools" a bit too low. I'd like to see what it looks like if you move both pieces of text updwards a small bit (like 5 mm or so).

Well, the technic brick bracing would be nice, but the egg will be built from bricks in a big ol' crate of mixed bricks, and I don't think there are too many Technic elements in there. Maybe if one could use some plates for bracing instead. I'm thinking a few of those 2x16 plates squeezed together and going from center out to the sides. Then you could just run a simple column of 2x2 bricks top to bottom. Then you may only need bracing to sides every four rows or so also? Oh, and I should mention that the egg when finished will be handled carefully, so no risk of kids kicking it about

A lot of good things come out of Italy; Ducati motorcycles, LEGO eggs, LDD Regulators...

1) Are you in a hurry? Well, not really. How about in a week or two...ish? 2) What kind of internal bracing are you wanting Only system bricks, i.e. 1 and 2 stud wide bricks of all lenghts. Maybe a few plates if needed? 3) Is the internal bracing supposed to exist for EVERY layer No, only bracing as needed, I guess in the first three layers could be massive to hold it together, then each layter after that would be like you build an igloo (which means you have to use your hand inside the egg while building when putting bricks in place). Maybe a few bracing struts across the innerwalls now and then if needed. In the end you put the top dome on and it will be solid as a rock I guess it would also be OK to have a long pillar inside that reaches from the bottom to the top so the egg wont be crushed when pressing the top dome on. 4) Is the egg supposed to be "opened" for viewing That was not my initial thought. However, if it should be possible to open up the top, and put stuff in, then I figure bricks have to be glued. So you don't have to concider that at the moment. 5) Do I have the liberty to change the color layers (or to repeat them) so that there are no more Color Warnings? Oh, yes, the colors I put are only to make each layer unique in color (to select it etc). In the final model I think stick with the normal base LEGO colors (red, blue, green, yellow, black, white and maybe tan, orange and lime). I guess as long as one use standard bricks and lengths, it should be possible to recolor the egg in any color you want. 6) Estimated real height of your LDD Easter Egg = (33 equivalent layers of bricks) x (9.6 mm per layer) = 316.8 mm = 31.8 cm (a bit more than the target height) -- is this OK? Yes, it can be the height it is now, i.e. 1:1 scale with the LXF-model --------------------------------------- EDIT: BTW, does anyone know who did the original red egg that we used as a starting point? I'd like to give some credits.

Be aware that LDD is not very good at showing if the model can be built. Like if bricks are connected for example". Use the "connected bricks" tool to make a rough check that all bricks in your model are connected. Otherwise upload the LXF as DLuders suggests, and someone here might help point out problems. About the model, I belive the front wheels should be much more forward placed. Also, the nose/hood seems a bit too wide in comparison to the rest of the model. I also agree with DLuders that the wheels are too small. I would probably at least reduce the total width of the truck. Should be fairly easy to do - just select a band across the middle, delete, and join together. Good luck with your project. And please post the final result here in the forum. It would also be nice if you could take some notes of your progress when doing this kind of large scale project - could be interesting for others to learn from. PS: Another tip: When you do screenshots, use the Ctrl-K method. Then you don't get the LDD program in background but a more "clean looking" screenshot. Just my 2 cents.

OK, here is an update 1) Added bottom layers 2) Looked over each layer so it's symmetrical 3) Gave each layer a unique color Left to do: Re-design so it can be built (no bricks hangning in the air, good structure, internal bracing). Anyone feel like it? EasterEgg.lxf

Excellent work zinfinion

Thanks a million Brickdoctor! That looks really good. I'll continue from here, and post back the final result.

@Brickdoctor: Yeah, I guess that model is pretty much what I'm looking for. @DLuders: I was looking for a LDD or Ldraw file, so I wouldn't have to manually do the whole thing. But maybe I'm overestimating the time it takes. My idea was otherwise to ask if someone who has the skills and some time to spare, could help to do what bbqqq did, i.e. take an egg-shaped 3d-volume, and run LSculpt with some parameters and produce an output that is about 30 cm high.