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Hi all,
Does anyone have example DAT and/or MPD files that are using the Buffer
Exchange, Ghost parts and Rotation Steps in MLCad? I do not understand these
at all, but I know they can be a powerfull tool in making instructions.
No offense Michael, but a good explaination would be nice. I do not
understand the way you explain it in the helpfiles.
Regards,
Jaco
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> Does anyone have example DAT and/or MPD files that are using the Buffer
> Exchange, Ghost parts and Rotation Steps in MLCad? I do not understand • these
> at all, but I know they can be a powerfull tool in making instructions.
OK, Rotation steps are becomming clear now.
But Buffer Exchange... it can be such a nice feature. It must be possible to
"...display a certain part above the the model first, and in the next step
inserted into the model..." like the helpfiles say. I just cannot get it to
work.
> No offense Michael, but a good explaination would be nice. I do not
> understand the way you explain it in the helpfiles.
Is there really no one who can explain this so I can understand? Michael?
Please help! Thanks.
Jaco
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I've read the explanation for buffer exhange and I think I understand.
In view mode, as you "step" through your design, MLCad displays the new
parts added in each step. Buffers let you take a snapshot (a picture) of
the design as it looks given the step that it is in.
Maybe we can give a little example
1 Add part 1
2 Add Part 2
3 Record design up to this point in buffer A (parts 1 and 2)
4 STEP
5 Add Part 3
6 STEP
7 Forget the current design (1, 2, 3) and remember the design from buffer A.
After step 3, the design only has parts 1 and 2 in it.
This is a terse explanation. The example that someone emailed me was to
add a part (part 1) to the design, then record the design in buffer A, then
STEP.
After the step, a second part (part 2) was added not in its final resting
place, but about 6 studs away with an arrow (made of line and triangle)
going from the new part to where it should be attached to the design (part
1). The part and arrow were followed by a step.
The step is followed by a recall of the model from buffer A, which throws
out the part and arrow. Part 2 was then added again, but in its final
resting place. Then STEP.
In view mode this shows us:
1. Part 1 added
2. Part 1 and part 2 with an arrow showing how to connect part 2 to part 1.
3. Part 1 with part 2 in its final resting place.
This is a very powerful feature for making building instructions, in that
you can make MLCad show how to merge sub-assemblies together into complete
assemblies, complete with arrows to show how they fit together.
I hope this helps.
Kevin
In lugnet.cad.mlcad, Jaco van der Molen writes:
> > Does anyone have example DAT and/or MPD files that are using the Buffer
> > Exchange, Ghost parts and Rotation Steps in MLCad? I do not understand • these
> > at all, but I know they can be a powerfull tool in making instructions.
>
> OK, Rotation steps are becomming clear now.
> But Buffer Exchange... it can be such a nice feature. It must be possible to
> "...display a certain part above the the model first, and in the next step
> inserted into the model..." like the helpfiles say. I just cannot get it to
> work.
>
> > No offense Michael, but a good explaination would be nice. I do not
> > understand the way you explain it in the helpfiles.
>
> Is there really no one who can explain this so I can understand? Michael?
> Please help! Thanks.
>
> Jaco
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Hi,
The first you should know is that models with instructions steps that use
CLEAR, BUFFER EXCHANGE and GHOST commands generally look really weird when
viewed in "Place" mode.
Download "waggon1.mpd" from Michael's site at
http://www.lm-software.com/mlcad/
And you'll see what I mean (studying this file is key to understanding this
commands). This is because these commands offer very sophisticated services
focused on creating superior instructions steps, even at the cost on
creating "bad" MLCad models.
The effect of these commands can only be seen in "View" mode (or in images
or steps exported as files). None of them act as steps (unlike STEP,
ROTATION STEP and END ROTATION STEP)
CLEAR statements erase from the screen any elements that preceed them.
The basic functioning is:
Step 1 - Add some parts
Step 2 - Add more parts
Step 3 - CLEAR the screen and add more parts
What is this good for? When building instructions, it allows us to show how
to build separate modules and then how to put them together at the end. Yes,
I know - you can achieve this automatically using MPD files. This is just
another way. Also, CLEAR statements usueally mean that parts have to be
copied again in latter steps - not very efficient.
But if you look at the bright side, CLEAR allows us to create animations
directly in MLCad - place each frame in a separate STEP with a CLEAR
statement at the beginning. Using MLCads' robust export options and maybe
even the post-processor screen and you will be doing movies without leaving
MLCad.
BUFFER EXCHANGE statements are sophisticated versions of the CLEAR
statement. Instead of erasing the contents, it records or restores up to 8
different buffers. This avoids the repeated copying of parts when using
CLEAR statements - we recall the appropriate buffer instead.
GHOST parts are only relevant in MPD models with CLEAR or BUFFER EXCHANGE
statements. They are a bit tricky to understand: the key is to study
Michael's file cited above (and not MLCad's English help file, which
incorrect in this matter).
MPD models can include steps both for the main model and for each of the
submodels. If the submodels are used as parts in the main model, they will
include all parts the parts in the submodel's file. Like duh!
Well, not really - what happens if we use "extra" parts with CLEAR and/or
BUFFER EXCHANGE statements in the submodels steps? Since CLEAR and BUFFER
EXCHANGE only work within the submodel's file, the "extra" parts they wipe
out come right back in the main model.
Enter GHOST - any "GHOSTED" part included in a MPD submodel will not appear
in the instructions steps for the main model.
Needless to say, these (little used) commands are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G
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> GHOST parts are only relevant in MPD models with CLEAR or BUFFER EXCHANGE
> statements. They are a bit tricky to understand: the key is to study
> Michael's file cited above (and not MLCad's English help file, which
> incorrect in this matter).
Hi Miguel,
This is not quite true. Ghosting in submodels works the same whether you
are using MPD, or the old fashioned mechanism of LDraw files using other
LDraw files as parts.
I just studied this behavior in MLCAD and added GHOST support to LPub ;-)
> Enter GHOST - any "GHOSTED" part included in a MPD submodel will not appear
> in the instructions steps for the main model.
Yes this is the effect.
Kevin
>
> Needless to say, these (little used) commands are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G
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Now there is something. I am beginning to understand too.
Thanks Kevin!
"Kevin Clague" <kevin_clague@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:H5DvI4.5pK@lugnet.com...
> I've read the explanation for buffer exhange and I think I understand.
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> Download "waggon1.mpd" from Michael's site at
>
> http://www.lm-software.com/mlcad/
>
> And you'll see what I mean (studying this file is key to understanding • this
> commands). This is because these commands offer very sophisticated
services
Ah, I was looking for something like that too. Thanks.
I will study this further and try to understand.
Jaco
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Wow...
I just studied the file, and I'm pretty sure I get it! Thanks Miguel! They
do seem like very powerful commands, if you want to do instructions straight
from MLCAD, and hopefully with the LPub support it will make rendering
instructions with these even easier.
-Tim
In lugnet.cad.mlcad, Miguel Agullo writes:
> Hi,
>
> The first you should know is that models with instructions steps that use
> CLEAR, BUFFER EXCHANGE and GHOST commands generally look really weird when
> viewed in "Place" mode.
>
> Download "waggon1.mpd" from Michael's site at
>
> http://www.lm-software.com/mlcad/
snip....
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In lugnet.cad.mlcad, Jaco van der Molen writes:
> Now there is something. I am beginning to understand too.
> Thanks Kevin!
>
> "Kevin Clague" <kevin_clague@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:H5DvI4.5pK@lugnet.com...
> > I've read the explanation for buffer exhange and I think I understand.
Can LPub handle the buffer exchnage and ghost parts? On version 2.0.0.65 it
appears the answer is no.. =(
-Ahui
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I have added buffer exgange in my development version. It works except for
one problem, the graying of previous steps parts gets messed up. I have to
fix this.
I also added ghosting and it works fine.
I have to clean things up before a release, and I'm hoping to get the
version number thing correct this time.
Kevin
In lugnet.cad.mlcad, Ahui Herrera writes:
> In lugnet.cad.mlcad, Jaco van der Molen writes:
> > Now there is something. I am beginning to understand too.
> > Thanks Kevin!
> >
> > "Kevin Clague" <kevin_clague@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> > news:H5DvI4.5pK@lugnet.com...
> > > I've read the explanation for buffer exhange and I think I understand.
>
>
> Can LPub handle the buffer exchnage and ghost parts? On version 2.0.0.65 it
> appears the answer is no.. =(
>
> -Ahui
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This is a bit old thread, but I wonder if sombody can answer me how this
Buffer Exchange command affects the partlist?
I just found out how to make subassemblies and then put the subasembly part
into the main model by first using Buffer Exchange Save, then build the
subassembly, use Buffer Exchange Retrive and then copy the subassembly into
the final possition. Thanx Kevin for making this clear to me.
But it now looks like I've now got double amount of all the parts from the
subassebly.
Is there any other way to do this?
Regards
Øyvind Steinnes
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?m=Phoenix
"Kevin Clague" <kevin_clague@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:H5DvI4.5pK@lugnet.com...
> I've read the explanation for buffer exhange and I think I understand.
>
> In view mode, as you "step" through your design, MLCad displays the new
> parts added in each step. Buffers let you take a snapshot (a picture) of
> the design as it looks given the step that it is in.
>
> Maybe we can give a little example
>
> 1 Add part 1
> 2 Add Part 2
> 3 Record design up to this point in buffer A (parts 1 and 2)
> 4 STEP
> 5 Add Part 3
> 6 STEP
> 7 Forget the current design (1, 2, 3) and remember the design from buffer • A.
>
> After step 3, the design only has parts 1 and 2 in it.
>
> This is a terse explanation. The example that someone emailed me was to
> add a part (part 1) to the design, then record the design in buffer A, • then
> STEP.
>
> After the step, a second part (part 2) was added not in its final resting
> place, but about 6 studs away with an arrow (made of line and triangle)
> going from the new part to where it should be attached to the design (part
> 1). The part and arrow were followed by a step.
>
> The step is followed by a recall of the model from buffer A, which throws
> out the part and arrow. Part 2 was then added again, but in its final
> resting place. Then STEP.
>
> In view mode this shows us:
> 1. Part 1 added
> 2. Part 1 and part 2 with an arrow showing how to connect part 2 to part • 1.
> 3. Part 1 with part 2 in its final resting place.
>
> This is a very powerful feature for making building instructions, in that
> you can make MLCad show how to merge sub-assemblies together into complete
> assemblies, complete with arrows to show how they fit together.
>
> I hope this helps.
>
> Kevin
>
>
>
>
>
> In lugnet.cad.mlcad, Jaco van der Molen writes:
> > > Does anyone have example DAT and/or MPD files that are using the Buffer
> > > Exchange, Ghost parts and Rotation Steps in MLCad? I do not understand • these
> > > at all, but I know they can be a powerfull tool in making instructions.
> >
> > OK, Rotation steps are becomming clear now.
> > But Buffer Exchange... it can be such a nice feature. It must be possible • to
> > "...display a certain part above the the model first, and in the next • step
> > inserted into the model..." like the helpfiles say. I just cannot get it • to
> > work.
> >
> > > No offense Michael, but a good explaination would be nice. I do not
> > > understand the way you explain it in the helpfiles.
> >
> > Is there really no one who can explain this so I can understand? Michael?
> > Please help! Thanks.
> >
> > Jaco
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Øyvind,
I don't think there is a way around this situation in MLCAD. I added
PLIST BEGIN IGN meta-command to LPub, to ignore the second occurrence of
parts, but I know of no way to do this in MLCAD.
Kevin
In lugnet.cad.mlcad, Øyvind Steinnes writes:
> This is a bit old thread, but I wonder if sombody can answer me how this
> Buffer Exchange command affects the partlist?
> I just found out how to make subassemblies and then put the subasembly part
> into the main model by first using Buffer Exchange Save, then build the
> subassembly, use Buffer Exchange Retrive and then copy the subassembly into
> the final possition. Thanx Kevin for making this clear to me.
>
> But it now looks like I've now got double amount of all the parts from the
> subassebly.
>
> Is there any other way to do this?
>
> Regards
> Øyvind Steinnes
> http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?m=Phoenix
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