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This document provides a comprehensive overview of virtual LEGO resources presented at Brickvention 2006. With insights from Ross Crawford and exploring the LDraw system's components, this guide discusses the history, tools, and future of virtual LEGO. It highlights the potential for education, custom designs, and artistic creations using LEGO's extensive parts library and opens up opportunities for developers and modelers to innovate within this thriving community. Discover how virtual LEGO is paving the way for creativity and collaboration among enthusiasts.
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Introduction to LDraw Brickvention 2006
Goal: Orientation • Available virtual LEGO resources • System Components • Uses of the system • The future of virtual LEGO • Artistic accomplishments • Needs and opportunities Brickvention 2006
Introduction: Ross Crawford • Part author / reviewer • Author of txt2dat Brickvention 2006
Why Virtual LEGO? • Huge audience; education, hobby, industry • Document custom designs • Create instructions • Generate stunning artwork • Virtual bricks are free, and come in any color • It’s fun! Brickvention 2006
Brief History of LDraw • Created by James Jessiman • James’ early design embraced by AFOLs • New tools created • Ldraw Organisation formed, Ldraw.org • Now recognised by LEGO company “It’s a toy, not a business” – J.J. Brickvention 2006
Resources: An Overview Brickvention 2006
The LDraw System • Standard Language and Library • Almost 3000 LEGO parts in library • Open-source project born out of an online community • Around 100,000 users; enthusiasts of all ages and educators at all levels • Freely downloadable via www.LDraw.org Brickvention 2006
Components OfThe LDraw System • Parts Library • LDraw Description Language • Tools • Editors • Viewers • Converters • Renderers • Batch Automation Brickvention 2006
The LDraw Description Language • Text-based: Portability and Readability • Simple to parse • Hierarchical: primitives parts submodels models • Well defined line syntax • Polygon-based • Lacks support for cylinders and round objects • No mesh support • Historical consistency guarantees compatibility The system is strong because of its simplicity and straightforward nature. Brickvention 2006
Anatomy of LDraw Files 0 Three Brick Stack 0 Name: 3 bricks.ldr 1 4 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 3001.dat 1 1 40 0 40 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 3001.dat 1 14 20 -24 20 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 3001.dat Brickvention 2006
Line Breakdown Brickvention 2006
Hierarchy Illustrated 0 Disc 1.0 0 Name: 4-4disc.dat 3 16 0 0 0 1 0 0 0.9239 0 0.3827 3 16 0 0 0 0.9239 0 0.3827 0.7071 0 0.7071 3 16 0 0 0 0.7071 0 0.7071 0.3827 0 0.9239 3 16 0 0 0 0.3827 0 0.9239 0 0 1 3 16 0 0 0 0 0 1 -0.3827 0 0.9239 3 16 0 0 0 -0.3827 0 0.9239 -0.7071 0 0.7071 3 16 0 0 0 -0.7071 0 0.7071 -0.9239 0 0.3827 3 16 0 0 0 -0.9239 0 0.3827 -1 0 -0 3 16 0 0 0 -1 0 -0 -0.9239 0 -0.3827 3 16 0 0 0 -0.9239 0 -0.3827 -0.7071 0 -0.7071 3 16 0 0 0 -0.7071 0 -0.7071 -0.3827 0 -0.9239 3 16 0 0 0 -0.3827 0 -0.9239 0 0 -1 3 16 0 0 0 0 0 -1 0.3827 0 -0.9239 3 16 0 0 0 0.3827 0 -0.9239 0.7071 0 -0.7071 3 16 0 0 0 0.7071 0 -0.7071 0.9239 0 -0.3827 3 16 0 0 0 0.9239 0 -0.3827 1 0 0 0 Three Brick Stack 0 Name: 3 bricks.ldr 1 4 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 3001.dat 1 1 40 0 40 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 3001.dat 1 14 20 -24 20 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 3001.dat 0 Brick 2 x 4 0 Name: 3001.dat 0 BFC INVERTNEXT 1 16 0 24 0 36 0 0 0 -20 0 0 0 16 box5.dat 1 16 0 24 0 40 0 0 0 -24 0 0 0 20 box5.dat 0 STUDS 1 16 30 0 10 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 stud.dat 1 16 10 0 10 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 stud.dat 1 16 -10 0 10 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 stud.dat 1 16 -30 0 10 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 stud.dat 1 16 30 0 -10 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 stud.dat 1 16 10 0 -10 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 stud.dat 1 16 -10 0 -10 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 stud.dat 1 16 -30 0 -10 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 stud.dat 0 TUBES 1 16 20 4 0 1 0 0 0 -5 0 0 0 1 stud4.dat 1 16 0 4 0 1 0 0 0 -5 0 0 0 1 stud4.dat 1 16 -20 4 0 1 0 0 0 -5 0 0 0 1 stud4.dat 4 16 40 24 20 36 24 16 -36… 4 16 -40 24 20 -36 24… 4 16 -40 24 -20 -3 … 4 16 40 24 -20 … 0 Stud 0 Name: stud.dat 1 16 0 -4 0 6 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 6 4-4disc.dat 1 16 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 6 4-4edge.dat 1 16 0 -4 0 6 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 6 4-4edge.dat 1 16 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 -4 0 0 0 6 4-4cyli.dat Brickvention 2006
Editing ModelsMLCad • Easy to use, drag ‘n’ drop • Advanced editing functions • Uses standard Ldraw parts library • Windows Only Brickvention 2006
Editing ModelsLeoCad • Multi-platform (Windows, Linux) • Advanced editing functions • Uses custom database which is generated from Ldraw parts library Brickvention 2006
Editing ModelsLEGO Digital Designer • Multi-platform (Windows, Mac) • Simple editing functions • Uses custom library – limited parts selection • Convert to / from Ldraw files Brickvention 2006
Building Instructions • Edge Line Detection (MegaPOV, ldglite) • Advanced Scripting Commands (MLCad) • Batch Rendering and Page Layout (LPub) Brickvention 2006
The Future of Virtual LEGO • New Language Specs • Collision Detection • Flexible Element Support • Animation Support • Your project? Brickvention 2006
Artistic Accomplishments Brickvention 2006
Li’l Dumper by Ross Crawford Brickvention 2006
Trike by Allister McLaren Brickvention 2006
Spider Mech type A by Timothy Gould Brickvention 2006
Needs and Opportunities • Developers and Students • Write cool software; modelers, converters • Contribute to the language specs • Designers and Writers • Help improve LDraw.org • Graphic design • Articles • Educators • Apply the tools in the classroom Brickvention 2006
Thank You Any Questions? Please feel free to follow up by email: ross.crawford@gmail.com Or visit http://www.ldraw.org Brickvention 2006