New LDraw parts update
Posted by Huw,
The 2015-01 LDraw [1] Parts Update has now been released. This update includes 502 new files in the core library, including 338 new parts and 34 new primitives.
This update includes an unusually large, but welcome, proportion of improved and corrected parts.
This is largely due to the work of Roland Melkert with the 'libfix version' of LDCad. Significant effort has also been expended by Magnus Forsberg to inline dithered colour subfiles (a now obsolete technique). Most of the obsoleted subfiles will be released in a future update.
You can preview the new parts in 2015-01 and download the update from the Latest Parts page.
[1] LDraw is an open standard for LEGO CAD programs that allow the user to create virtual LEGO models and scenes. You can use it to document models you have physically built, create building instructions just like LEGO, render 3D photo realistic images of your virtual models and even make animations.
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17 comments on this article
Thanks for this information and good to hear that the LDraw community is still active!
If only LEGO would update LDD too, sigh..
^Ditto. Maybe I should try SR3D...
EDIT: Looks like it's possible to build the Speed Champions sets in LDraw! Now I am totally going to download SR3D...
Good to see you are too, HoMa!
I write to Lego every once in awhile asking for them to add the legacy parts back into LDD. I enjoy building older sets in LDD but find parts missing and have to invent similar parts to get the job done. I had asked them to put the parts back in since the order sets is no longer an option.
Oh, LDraw gets an update but not LDD, nice.
I'll have to try LDraw I guess.
Used MLCad for years--amazing what the community produces in terms of parts and software!
@PicnicBasketSam
I'm an active LDraw user and I used to be a huge fan of SR3D Builder. Note that last year, Sergio, the author of SR3D, passed away. :(
The software isn't being updated anymore. His family didn't want to give the source to the community (yet).
There's nothing wrong with SR3D Builder, but if you want some LDraw software that's still supported (and also has the automatic brick-snapping!) I'd really recommend LDCad. It maybe has a steeper learning curve, but it's far from as difficult as e.g. MLCad (which is also very old).
I've sworn by MLCAD since 2002, but had to 'downgrade' to an older version when an update prevented fine rotation from working.
What is the difference between LDraw and MLCad ? Never seen this before and have used LDD up until today.
Don't forget mecabricks too. Part are added everyday and the library is updated straight away.
LDCad has brick "snapping"? OK, LDCad it is! Thank you!
What a tremendous update to the parts library! I'm using the new parts to significantly increase my collection of printable LEGO brick labels at http://tomalphin.com/bricklabels - expect a huge update to my labels soon!
What a tremendous update to the parts library! I'm using the new parts to significantly increase my collection of printable LEGO brick labels at http://tomalphin.com/bricklabels - expect a huge update to my labels soon!
FlagsNZ & KLF: LDraw is an open standard for 'building brick' CAD tools and part geometry definition, including the library of LEGO parts. MLCad and LDCad are model editors that work with that standard and the parts library. LDView is a viewer for LDraw model (and part) files. So nowadays, LDraw is really the "system of tools" - not to be confused with the original DOS-based ldraw.exe program which is no longer supported.
^ More confused now! I wouldn't call MLCad user friendly either.