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LEGO Modeling or CAD softwares available
I'm always working on a Lego design of something, mostly architectural based but sometimes mechanical
Anyways, I was wondering what type of Software people use for LEGO modeling or CAD. So far I have used: Lego Creator - Basic bricks, and a kid type interface with enough to get a project going in a virtual world, but like all games as opposed to hardcore design software it has it's limits. Lego Digital Designer - This just looks to me like a toned down version of Creator with a smaller base to build on?? Is this a correct assumption? LDraw - I just downloaded this and started looking at it.. It looks nice, but I'm guessing it needs a bit of time to learn and I'm starting that already. Tips appreciated! SolidWorks - Yep, I started reverse engineering some parts I had and assembling them in this mainstream CAD software. The bad thing about this is when the assembly gets really large with many parts I have a huge refresh time - plus the work of making the parts in CAD for the first time. Does anybody use any of these, or know of any others?? Also, since I use Solidworks for some designs, does anyone know of a place online I can find premade CAD type models to import? Also, anyone have any tips for me for LDraw??? I use the MLCAD version of the bundle pack with a GUI and not the DOS version. |
Re: LEGO Modeling or CAD softwares available
I really enjoy MLCad, I recommend using the tutorial to get the basics down, but it's pretty easy after that, just grabbing the model pieces and plopping them into place.
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Re: LEGO Modeling or CAD softwares available
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If you are referring to the latter, I don't see one. As for MLCad, I was spoiled by creator in a way where the parts "snapped" together. With MLCad, I had a heck of a time lining up the parts, and went back and totally redid my grids till they made sense. Also, the default import is annoying. I put a part at 0,0,0 for the origin and it doesn't line up with one I just plop in with the grid set to using 5 for the default snap. Using AutoCAD I prefer to line up a corner of a part with 0,0,0 origin point, and the MLCad interface allows that but only by manually trying to figure out how off I am and using the 3 different grids for placement. |
Re: LEGO Modeling or CAD softwares available
Yeah I was talking about the online one. It's true that MLCAD is very much "do it by eye", but it's a minor drawback, you can still do a lot with it, though I've often wondered if you made a bunch of TECHNIC parts in Inventor could you hook them together and make them move?
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Re: LEGO Modeling or CAD softwares available
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Anyways, George, or anyone who wants to answer this one with experience with MLCad: How do I make Multiple part models. I imported 2 models, but they seem to be in separate windows??? :confused: This is very odd to me. I want to basically make an assembly with multiple parts interacting with each other. Like a CAD system does (ie: SolidWorks) , I want to make individual assemblies, and then put those together. In simple terms, think a bicycle. I have an assembly of a wheel drawn, and a frame with fork, and a seat/stem and I want to add them all together as an assembly. How would I do this in MLCad? |
Re: LEGO Modeling or CAD softwares available
Ok, This is slightly off topic. I would like to make my wife a model of her autocross car in LEGOs. Is there software that allows me to use a picture and it models the image in LEGOs?
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Re: LEGO Modeling or CAD softwares available
There was a plugin I found for 3dsm that allowed you to take a 3d model and turn it into lego pieces but I couldn't get it to work right away and then I lost it. If I find it again and get it to work, there is still the matter of finding a 3d model of her autocross car.
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Re: LEGO Modeling or CAD softwares available
This might help you. I have made over 200 Lego parts in Autodesk Inventor. You can download them at my website: http://sites.google.com/site/krisbase/ and go to the Lego page. Have fun! :]
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Re: LEGO Modeling or CAD softwares available
they were showing some FTC stuff in Pro/E. i'll bet you can find some legos for that
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Re: LEGO Modeling or CAD softwares available
yeah, take a look at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7B7-VukHwYM and http://jacquesmichel.tripod.com/id13.html maybe you can ask that guy for the lego parts? |
Re: LEGO Modeling or CAD softwares available
Hi Elgin
Here is a complete model of tribot http://blogs.solidworks.com/teacher/...m-r-robot.html Create sub assemblies and load them light weight - this wont require so much time. There are other LEGO models at www.3dcontentcentral.com. Marie |
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