LDraw.org 2015-02 Parts update now available
Posted by Huw,
Hot on the heels of the LDraw 2015-01 update, another one has been released:
The 2015-02 LDraw[1] Parts update has been now been released. This adds 439 new files to the core library, including 218 new parts and 15 new primitives.
This update includes another batch 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).
Thanks are once again due to all the part authors who created or corrected parts for this release. The reviewers also play an important role in keeping files moving through the tracker and deserve just as much credit.
You can preview the new parts in 2015-02 and download the zip file update or Windows install package. Alternatively you can use the LDView menu option File | Check for Library Updates... to install the update.
[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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Hey look, new parts! OK Lego Digital Designer, any day now...
How about a comprehensive operating guide?
@FlagsNZ LDCad is really easy to use. (It's part of the all-in-one-installer from LDraw.) The documentation is there, you can very easily pick it up. I made the switch from LDD to LDCad in about 2 hours...
^I'm not convinced. I would love to use this software but have struggled to find my way around this program. I am not slouch when it comes to computer apps and have an enormous amount of patience.
LDCad and LDraw or what ever else it may be called has left me bewildered. Unless someone can point me to a comprehensive operating guide, I will post my dissatisfied responses whenever LDCad, LDraw or whatever else it may be called is posted in the news pages.
I hope someone will write an operating guide.
And the evidence is that after two days that this news item has been posted on the most comprehensive LEGO web site, the LDCad and LDraw news item has been viewed less than 2500 times and has only three comments other than the ones I have posted.
It is simple. Grab the all in one installer from here:
http://media.peeron.com/ldraw/LDraw_AIOI_2015-01_setup_32bit_v1.zip
Go through the tutorial here:
http://www.melkert.net/LDCad/docs
It took me about 2 hours to recreate 40125 Santa's Visit in LDCad.
@FlagsNZ, there's always this book which, while old, is still largely relevant: http://brickset.com/sets/ISBN1886411948-1/Virtual-LEGO-The-Official-LDraw-org-guide-to-LDraw-Tools-for-Windows
Ok, I will give it a go but I am still confused: on my desktop I have MLCad 3.5 and LDView 4.1 which were downloaded and installed within the last few months.
The GUI described at http://www.melkert.net/LDCad/docs/gui here does not match the MLCad 3.5 view.
I respect Huw enough to take his advice and give the book a look at, but it is 12 years old. Is this program that old?
There are two sets of authors for what appears to be the same book; Tim Courtney, Ahui Herrera, Steve Bliss or Crane, Thomas Frederick; Zipes, Jack David.
Is there any difference in the sets of authors or books?
I'm with jmjt4. I've been waiting for a new LDD update for so long, I don't even remember when the last one was.
I'm with jmjt4. I've been waiting for a new LDD update for so long, I don't even remember when the last one was.