Superkalle

It's possible to complete the logo-text with this workaround: Temporarily replace the 3957 antenna with a 4L bar 30374, place the text, and then re-place with the 3957.

General information to LDD-users: It's now possible to attach LXF files directly to a post without zipping it first.

Here is fmmjqtft's solution as a LXF. (Hope you don't mind fmmjqtft?) I tried it out with physical bricks. It works well, but naturally with all the joints and cogwheels it does have a fair amount of play. I'm testing if and how it can be incorporated in a vehicle. PS: I now understand what you mean by 11.5 degrees. Clever way you solved that. Question though - what would happen if you skipped that compensation, as it adds much to the complexity of the solutio (i.e. what would be the consequence?) SteeringByfmmjqtft.zip

Easiest is to start an account on Brickshelf - www.brickshelf.com, where you can upload both images and LXF-files. If you want to attach the occasional LXF to a post, then just zip the file first, and it will attach.

I've found that many US sellers will actually ship abroad if you send them a PM and explain the situation. Most often they don't want to ship outside US becuase 1) They don't know how (type of mail to use, cost etc etc). I usually help out by checking out all the details and costs at USPS. 2) They don't want to get responsible for lost mail. I normally write that I take full responsibility, and then its cool. I'd say that 2 out of 3 times, I can persuade sellers to ship outside US. The benefit with a personal contact is also that the seller most often won't have any problem writing down the customs value. (I mean, who wants to pay customs and VAT on a used set).

Well, it ain't much "them" - it's only me actually (but I wish some big company would make me an offer on the software, allthough I don't think that will ever happen) Anyway, about your problem. I got your mail, and I can import the file just fine. so there is nothing wrong with the LXF per se. Error 53 is a file-copy error. LDD Manager unzipps and copies the LFXML file within the LXF to your TEMP directory (from the TEMP environment variable). If you are not administrator of your computer, or do not have full read-write to the folder where the LXF is stored, or to the TEMP-folder, then you can get this error.

Ah, your mysterious friend. Who can he be? Reminds me of the scarlet pimpernel: "We seek him here, we seek him there, Those frenchies seek him everywhere. Is he in heaven? Is he in hell? That damned, elusive Pimpernel." Anyway, very nice review Yes, the green engine is a Volvo Penta IPS600 marine engine. It is revolutionary in that it has forward pointing propellers. It is always mounted in pairs, as the pods together enables the boat to be moved completely freely in any direction. About the boxes - a total of 1500 boxes where produced, divided into 9 different kinds, with various Volvo Group vehicles. Maybe we will see some of them here on the forum eventually - who knows...

This discussion is turning out really, really well. Thanks all for you clever input. Specially like you drawing and animation fmmjqtft. Now, a side question to you all - is it really so that this topic has not been discussed anytime earlier, on EB or elsewhere? It just doesn't seem possible that this is the case.

I'm too late for the vote, but just wanted to say that I like the way you've impossed the models on the background pics. Looks really good.

Interesting topic you bring up SpiderSpaceman. I don't play LU myself, but I agree that it's not always easy for fans to understand the strategy/path that TLG has chosen with LU and LDD in terms of (non) integration. My guess is that it has to do with: 1) Two completely different development teams (one in US, one in Billund) and two different technical platforms. 2) TLG wanted a different, more simplistic building experience in LU, and didn't want to mix the two. 3) It turned out too much work to make a smooth exchange possible between LU and LDD data, and now with the dropping LU sales, there is even less incentive. 4) The technical platforum in LU is very different to LDD. I'm not even sure they use the same format to save the data (in LDD it's the LXFML-format). Even so, what I don't understand is why they opened up LU-mode in LDD, if the intention was not to integrate the two. Also, like you say, wouldn't it be intresting for LU-users to buy their models as physical bricks (i.e. a DbM-feature in LU)?

I'm not sure I fully understand your solution (or I haven't understood it). The way it's designed, you can't incorporate it in an car or truck design since the space above the wheel is occupied by the upside down 1x1 technic brick. Also I'm not sure I undestand how the steering shall be controled (i.e. the wheels turned). The solution also uses several illegal connections, such as the pin inside the 1x1 round brick. As you mentioned yourself, it also looks very unstable. Well, well - let's see what it involves into

Thanks for a summary of the situation. Whenever you have something to share, please do, even if it is for larger vehicles.

I don't have any of those models, but it they are the same it strange, because with bigger vehicles you get the feeling it should be possible to build a better, more tighter turning steering geometry.

Just had a look at a video of the Unimog. The turning radius is even worse than what I thought after reading your comment. It's actually so bad, it's hard to belive.

If you could please repost the pics (but try to make them smaller, and also zoom in, there was a lot of grey on the sides), that'd be much appreciated. EDIT: Ah, I see you did - well, no need to excagerate by making them that small. You're attitude (including the "Happy Building " is not appreciated. Please tread easy from now on. Looking forward to that

Hi there I'm not sure what to make of this since these are standard steering mechanism. I understand you mean well, but It'd be much appreciated if you read the topic first. For example just a few posts above is a clear definitition of the problem at hand. Also, the pics are above the size limit, so I'm forced to remove them. Sorry.

Thanks I had a look at it, and unfortunately it will not work (same mechanism/principle as discussed earlier). (PS: YOu did know that you can test/rotate these kind of mechanisms in LDD, right?) But thanks for uploading. ..and welcome to the forum BTW

Interesting. Can you attach the LXF please? (just change the suffix from LXF to ZIP and it will work) To everyone particpating in this joint mechanics challenge. Just to make sure - we are all agreed that the problem is to create a "virtual" turning point that is on the rim center line (see lower images below). This because the turning point with a LEGO-wheel (at least the smaller ones) is far outside the rims center line, so the wheel travels very much forward and backward as it steers. To make a solution with LEGO wheels, the wheel have to rotate around the steer poing AND at the same time the entire steering mechanism have to move foward/backward, thus giving the effect that the wheel turns completely tight inside the wheel well. And please note, it has to turn completely inside a tight wheel wheel. For example these wheels have to turn inside a wheel well that's 4 studs long. It's an extremly tight fit. 5 studs long could be accepted as well, but more then that and the vehicle will not look realistic. Having said that, I'm still not close to a solution yet. I see in front of me how it has to work - problem is to convert into a clever LEGO solution

Yupp, I understand fully. Question remain now: Is there a solution around this.

Unfortunately, this doesn work since the parallogram created is not "perfect". When the steering angle goes beyond about 20 degrees, it puts stress on the whole design. It might not be noticable they way you did it, but if you attach the two vertical studs on system plates using 2460, then it won't work. Now, on to the next concept idea to test

Looking forward to seeing that!

Just wanted to say - Love what you're doing here Captain. Really looking forward to following this build!!

Hey guys, I really like how you keep posting here in the Ldraw section. Keep up the good work!!

The did change physics engine from 4.0.x, and also they added the edge outlines (if I don't remember incorrectly). So updated graphcics driver might do the trick. Please try everything in this topic: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=48663

What you could try is the following: 1) Uninstall LDD, and then delete all LDD files in two places: a) C:\UserName\ApplicationData\Lego Company\Lego Digital Designer\) b) C:\Program Files\Lego Company\Lego Digital Designer 4) Re-install LDD and start.