Superkalle

For an easter thing I got going, I was wondering if there is anyone who can help me to create a digital egg-shaped model. I tried looking at this topic by bbqqq, but in all honesty I'm not much of 3D expert. What I need is an egg, about 30 cm in height, made with only normal bricks, stud up - no plates, no SNOT. In worst case it could be made with only 1x1 bricks, and I could manually replace with suitable standard bricks. Also, it's sufficient with only the outer shell - I'll have to internal bracing myself. If it's in Ldraw or LDD format doesn't matter. This is roughly what I was thinking:

Just to clarify - LDD Mode does not allow you view the current PaB selection - that was possible with DbM mode, which doesn't exist anymore. In summary: LDD Mode: consists of a large selection of bricks, and in colors that gave been produced in "modern" time, say roughly the last 5-8 years. It also incluedes very recent bricks, such as all the brick/color combos of the new Friends theme. However, because of some issue in the brick screening/selection process at TLG when preparing the LDD palette, some bricks are also in colors that was never released to the public, such 50990 DISC. As you can see in BrickLink, it has been produced in trans red, but was never in any set. It's possible the brick was produced for LEGOLand or so. How the BrickLink sellers got hold of those bricks I have no clue about. However, there seems to be some other problem as well with bricks available in LDD Mode, that with high degree of certainty has probably never been produced, even for LEGOLand. One example is 2498 BRUSH that exist in all possible odd colors . In this case, it may be that the brick was released for internal LEGO usage (test colors or so). Having said all this, the general rule is that LDD mode contains only bricks that have been produced and that you can buy from BrickLink. Extended Mode: contains all the geometries/bricks in the LDD database file, so you can apply any color you want. Extended Mode contains more brick shapes then LDD Mode. You need a tool like LDD Manager to be able to verify if the bricks have been produced in those colors.

Excellent, excellent work. I really like the cargo expandable system! I work in the transportation business IRL, and we could use something like this

Amazing find. I can't remember ever seeing anything like it. And interestingly it "works" also with a 1x1 tile.

Absolutely wonderful work. I love the fact that you've only used LEGO parts (as far as I can see). In my mind it adds another dimension of difficulty. Also, I think (not surprisingly) that you've used a great way to build the ship, i.e. used a CAD-tool to outline and design, and then built with physical bricks. A model example (pun intended).

I think in this case it's a matter of missing anti-stud connection points. Good find in any case.

Oh, I was just temporarily hiding my post while editing/completing. And in between you got a sneak peek. This is because of illegal build from TLG. The 32054 will be "pushed half way through" the 32316, and hence will put it in constant compression. If you examine a physical 32054 closely you will see it has ridges that are supposed to snap fully in, and they don't in this case. Conclusion: LDD is correct. Bad build by TLG.

In addition to previous discussions: 1) Pair of plates on sides This is an error due to the holes of technic bricks not being placed in system. A classic issue (read more here). It's not because of an error in LDD - it's an illegal build technique. But can be worked around in LDD liked discussed by zinfinion. 2) Dark blue windscree - Collision error bug in LDD. 3) Doors won't close. This seems to be a problem with the way the model was built in conjunction with how LDD handles rotation axis. If you put an extra plate (pink in the attached file) to add multiple stud connections on each side, it will allow you to rotate the around the first axis. To rotate around the other axis, you need to click on the pin itself (marked green in the file) in order to select the correct rotation axis. There is still a collision error with the green pin though, which won't allow you to close the doors fully. This is because the technic hole positioning (same as error 1 above). Heli.lxf

That it doesn't connect to 74746/74747 or 75541/75542 I guess makes sence, since they are electrified tracks, and 64022 is not. However, more surprising is that 64022 does not connect to 53400/5340, at least not directly - because I found out it does connect to at least one side of 53401 if you turn 53401 around. In any case, an odd problem. I'm reporting it to TLG. Sorry, missed this one before. A good find indeed. It goes directly to the LDD team without passing GO.

Hi, and welcome to the forum

Very nice work. However, to post in the Digital Tools forum, there must at least be a source filed attached (so it becomes more of interest to other CAD tools users). I'm moving this to Special Themes section.

MAWLR Fields Alienwar9 has once again made an awesome digital MOC in LDD. His latest creation is called MAWLR Fields. See more pictures and comment over here

In this case I'd say it's OK to make a link-post in the Sci-Fi forum. EDIT: ...and frontpaged... don't want anyone to miss this beauty

Wow. This is the way it should look. Easy to review, easy to see how many sets used in, images, LEGO part numbers, priorities...

Luckily its only a visual error since it connects OK.

Absolutely amazing LDD model. And the way you frame it in with some light photoshoping is awesome. This has got to be your best work so far

I actually reported this last year (can't remember who found it then), and got in reply that it is not recommened to use anymore by designers. I think it may have to do with the fact that if you push the 4733 down onto the 4260 it may put stress on the pin. Or maybe it's just that the elements aren't ment to go together (there is not defined "snap"). And as far as LDD goes, it does not support it because of two reasons: 1) The connection is a "loose" connection, and there is no such connection type in LDD. 2) Even if they used a combination of other connections available, it would be too unpredictable/unforeseen results for other combintation of bricks to reward fixing this one special connection. So I don't think we'll be seing it work for some time. But it is possible to attach it with scafolding...you did try that, right? Jupp, seems like it. Good find.

OK,I see it now....that's even worse. I don't know if everyone know, but the model that caused legal methods to be strongly introduced was the Legoland Audit TT promotion model: http://img2.toysperiod.com/img/cache/48/800x600/d4e4o5g414t3y404442654a426l4q2w214i4w5d41433v234t20314x2.jpg The chrome bars were held together by a technic pin, and the pin flanges were then in constant compression....just like with the 2012 SW set.

I've looked and looked, but I can't figure out where the error is? From what I can see, having looked at the LDD model and examined the instructions, the hinge is more or less caught "in between" two clicks. But, let's wait and see if someone that has the set built can report how it looks with all elements "shaked into place".

Ouch...that is really bad since putting the hinge in tension like that destroy it. This is probably one of the worst design offenses I've seen in a long time.

It makes sence it takes exponentially longer since there are more "solutions" to take into account. But 10 hours seems way to long. I would propose that you break it down to smaller sub-models. Also, and this is important, try to move all snot-assemblies to the side (i.e. not connected to the main model). The building guide generator has real problems with dealing with snot built parts in relations to normal studs-on-top. Even wheels/tyres on a vehicle is sometimes problematic with wheels "flying in" from the side or hanging in mid-air.

Well, LDD actually does autorotate the model when needed. It's part of the algorithm that the placed brick should always be visible. However, this sometimes means that the image is sometimes autorotated one time too many (for my personal taste at least ), so that is another thing that can better be controlled with some manual Ctrl-K images. EDIT: Thanks Calabar for finding the link.

I just heard that the PaB assortment of bricks have been updated. Haven't had time to check it up myself though (thanks for the tip Mordatre) http://shop.lego.com/en-US/Pick-A-Brick-ByTheme

If you use the keyboard arrow buttons, it will step forward only 1 brick at a time. @TazorLazor: Also, to make instructions easier to follow (and to allow the automatic generaton algorithm work better), concider temporarily removing any snot assemblies and wheels. As long as the model is very much "brick put on top of other brick", the autogeneration generates pretty impressive instructions. I wrote a very small "primer" on this some time ago with examples how instructions can be made to look, but I can't find the topic now. It's in here somewhere. The general rule is however to allow LDD to generate instructions. Then take the generated PNG pictures (they are on the hard disk) and paste into a word document, and then complement with custom taken screenshots (Ctrl-K). It's some work, but you can make it look very good.