4 years ago by dang
If curious, past threads:
LeoCAD â A CAD program for creating virtual Lego models - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14801612 - July 2017 (79 comments)
LeoCAD software to build Lego models - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9674129 - June 2015 (3 comments)
The submitted URL this time was https://github.com/leozide/leocad/releases/tag/v21.03, which is pretty specialized. Since it has been years since the project was discussed, I've changed the URL to its home page.
4 years ago by app4soft
> I've changed the URL to its home page.
It was bad idea, as there are no release notes on LeoCAD home page.
Please, @dang, revert news URL back!
UPD: Or at least replace it with link to "Version History" page.[0]
4 years ago by dang
The release notes don't make sense without knowing what the project is. If you want to post the release notes URLs in a separate comment, I can pin it to the top of the thread. That way no one is likely to miss them.
4 years ago by app4soft
Guess, this time just set main URL to the "Version History"[0] page (as it shows all majour changes in LeoCAD v21.x in one place, including "dark color" mode introduced in `v21.01`).
P.S. I just curious why in threads about GIMP[1] and Inkscape[1] releases URLs not replaced to each software homepage...
[0] https://www.leocad.org/docs/history.html
4 years ago by jacobolus
The main page is much better context for a general discussion. To someone who does not already regularly make models with LeoCAD or intend to do so in the immediate future, and especially to someone who doesn't even know what LeoCAD is, these release notes are not very useful. But here they are:
> Added option to draw conditional lines. Added option to draw logos on studs. Added option to draw high contrast studs. Added option to configure edge colors. Added new find/replace widget. Improved Bricklink xml export. Added option to paste parts and keep their original steps. Added model measurements to the Properties Dialog. Load official parts before unofficial parts. Fixed mac retina display issues.
4 years ago by app4soft
> To someone who does not already know what LeoCAD is
There is already TL;DR: comment[0] with link to website.
> these release notes are not very useful
It useful for those who already khow what LeoCAD is.
4 years ago by Shish2k
FWIW as a casual observer, âthis software exists and can do these thingsâ is way more useful than âsoftware I know nothing about got a new feature that I donât understand because I donât have the context of knowing what the software is or what it doesâ :)
4 years ago by app4soft
> I donât have the context of knowing what the software is or what it does
If someone don't know something Google always may explain it.
If you go to GitHub release page and don't know what it is, just jump to project main page on GitHub.[0]
4 years ago by opencl
Maybe https://www.leocad.org/docs/history.html would be good, contains all the release notes going back to 1998 on one page.
4 years ago by app4soft
Its good for general use, but its not an exact release announcement.
4 years ago by maxerickson
Is Lego CAD, website has some pictures: https://www.leocad.org/
4 years ago by app4soft
LeoCAD uses LDraw Parts Library[0] as a set of "digitallego" bricks.
Also, highly recommend all AFOLs look on the "AWESOME LDraw"[1] â a list of useful digitallego resources (not only LDRaw-related, but also in other formats for various software other than LeoCAD).
> website has some pictures
Here is my latest screenshot[2,3] with my MOC "Micropolis Mallet Locomotive 0-8-8-0".[4,5]
[1] https://git.io/digitallego
[2] https://i.imgur.com/tBZ2FCK.png
[3] https://twitter.com/app4soft/status/1371197528197193728
4 years ago by funkaster
how did you get such a nice render?
4 years ago by app4soft
> such a nice render
Guess, you mean this one[0,1,2], right?
If so, I just:
1) modeled MOC in LeoCAD & saved it as `.ldr`;
2) imported `.ldr` into Blender 2.79 (you may use later version) using ImportLDraw addon[3] & just rendered it in "Cycles" render mode (in later versions of Blender its possible use "Eevee" render mode too);
3) final touches was made using AzPainter[4] image editor.
That's all! If you are interested in more LDraw tools and other digitallego resources check the "AWESOME LDraw" list.[5]
There is good guide on ImportLDraw usage for realistic rendering.[6,7]
[0] https://i.imgur.com/VBLIbUn.png
[1] https://twitter.com/app4soft/status/1174490820050849792/phot...
[2] https://www.reddit.com/r/lego/comments/d666xd/micropolis_mal...
[3] https://github.com/TobyLobster/ImportLDraw
[5] https://git.io/digitallego
[6] https://www.rm-media.net/photo-realistic-rendering-with-leoc...
[7] https://github.com/beranep/lego_black_knights_castle_6086
4 years ago by amelius
I suppose this would be great with VR goggles.
4 years ago by Essometer
I actually build a sort of L**o simulation that uses the LDraw library for pieces in combination with the HTC Vive. You can check it out here:
4 years ago by amelius
Looks great!
4 years ago by capableweb
Possible for sure! Get the following software:
- Blender
- Plugin ImportLDraw - https://github.com/TobyLobster/ImportLDraw
- Either use Blender latest versions (has built-in VR) or try something like Blender XR
I did use ImportLDraw for something a while ago here: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk3yrj4FC7E/
4 years ago by app4soft
Here is good tutorial on ImportLDraw usage.[0,1]
[0] https://www.rm-media.net/photo-realistic-rendering-with-leoc...
[1] https://github.com/beranep/lego_black_knights_castle_6086
4 years ago by bananicorn
I just gave this a try, and I would honestly love to have a traditional cad software that is so intuitive and easy to use. (Except for the stuff with the rotation, that was a little hiccup for me)
I could just get into it, drag, drop rotate and make some stuff - it's actually _fun_ to use!
Does anyone know of a cad program which uses a similar approach? I'd love to be able to build smooth models with such a software...
4 years ago by app4soft
> Except for the stuff with the rotation, that was a little hiccup for me
Please, report any issues to issues tracker.[0]
4 years ago by bananicorn
The issue already seems to be there[0], but honestly I immediately resorted to using the arrows to move the pieces around and from there on out it didn't disturb me anymore.
I'm really glad you're putting such an emphasis on beginner friendliness though, that's really cool!
4 years ago by galfarragem
Architect here: nothing beats SketchUp on intuitiveness.
> traditional cad software that is so intuitive and easy to use
Autocad is the Emacs for CAD - you can even script it with Lisp. It's not intuitive at all, but once you master it, is unbeatable.
4 years ago by app4soft
> Architect here: nothing beats SketchUp on intuitiveness
Try latest SolveSpace.[0]
> Autocad is the Emacs for CAD - you can even script it with Lisp. It's not intuitive at all, but once you master it, is unbeatable.
LeoCAD is CAD for kids in the first place. And this HN thread is mostly about CADs which are kids-friendly â usable just with its GUI elemnts & mouse/keyboard shortcuts (SolveSpace also one of such), without any needs in scripting at all.
4 years ago by cies
I had to search a bit to find it's GPLv2 licensed.
https://www.leocad.org/docs/license.html
Did some 3D lately and used TinkerCAD, which runs from the browser. Very intuitive and had more than enough features to achieve what I needed.
4 years ago by app4soft
> TinkerCAD, which runs from the browser. Very intuitive...
TinkerCAD is proprietary software by AutoCAD... And we remember what has happen[0] with its another 'free' app - Fusion360 (RIP).
Thanks, but no.
BTW, LeoCAD is a much better choice for kids and AFOLs.
[0] https://twitter.com/MvdH74169613/status/1369334245043404815
4 years ago by snoopen
I don't understand this reaction. Fusion360 continues to be free (as in beer) for personal. Not only that but startups can apply for a free licence each year.
4 years ago by app4soft
> I don't understand this reaction.
You may get a better explanation from FreeCAD team on Twitter.
4 years ago by cies
good point!
4 years ago by bathtub365
Thereâs also Bricklink Studio, which Iâve found to be easy to use with a decent built-in renderer (https://www.bricklink.com/v3/studio/download.page). How does LeoCAD compare?
4 years ago by app4soft
> How does LeoCAD compare?
Bricklink Studio is proprietary â LeoCAD is fully free & opensource.
Bricklink Studio's `.io` format is closed â LeoCAD's uses LDraw's `.ldr` format which is fully open & well documented.
Briclink Studio available only for Windows & macOS â LeoCAD available for Linux, macOS, Windows and could be compiled for any platform which support Qt (including *BSD, Haiku OS, RaspberryPi, Arduino, etc.)
4 years ago by neskiredk
This is very cool, glad to see an opensource version of brick building. As a Dane (Lego's Danish), I'm impressed that you manage to navigate the numerous pitfalls with copyright infringement and the like.
Also glad to see it being GPLv2 licensed.
4 years ago by hda111
Hm still their logo is used in one of the model screenshots. I cannot imagine this will be tolerated.
4 years ago by app4soft
> I cannot imagine this will be tolerated.
LeoCAD & LDraw follows LEGO's Fair Play[0] policy, so all is OK here.
See LeoCAD's License > Disclaimer.[1]
FTR, Studs logo by default is turned off in LeoCAD, but user may turn in on in the preferences.
[0] https://www.lego.com/en-us/legal/notices-and-policies/fair-p...
4 years ago by cybervegan
Just gave this a try... why is it that when you rotate a brick, the x,y,z movement also rotates with it? What I mean is that once you have rotated a 2x4 brick 90 degrees clockwise, when trying to position that part, moving the mouse left moves the part forwards, moving it forwards moves the part right and so on. That makes no sense - surely it's a bug?
4 years ago by app4soft
> why is it that when you rotate a brick, the x,y,z movement also rotates with it?
Hardly to say what exactly you mean without seeing some sreenrecord.
I may just guess that you should learn a little about "Relative" and "Absolute" coordinates in LeoCAD (see menu "Edit > Transform", "Transform" buttons on main toolbar and on "Properties" widget).[0]
> That makes no sense - surely it's a bug?
I'm not sure.
UPD: Follow related issue thread[1]; alternatively use rotation arrows[3] for rotate (click on each rotation arrow with mouse and move it)
[0] https://i.imgur.com/7sdt8yC.png
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