Subject:
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Re: Suggestions for developers of LCAD programs
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.cad.dev
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Date:
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Tue, 21 Sep 1999 05:11:08 GMT
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Viewed:
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427 times
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Bram Lambrecht wrote in message <19990920.131952.5095.0.braml@juno.com>...
> The creation of new LEGO CAD programs based on the LDraw DAT format is
> great, but I continue to use LEdit for a number of reasons. So, here are
> a few suggestions for Mike and Gary that could make me switch (these are
> all characteristics of LEdit:
> 1) Highlight the current part in some way (preferably wireframe) and
> center a cursor on the part so that I can see where its center of
> rotation is.
Don't have too much to say about this one, but having to center a part in
Ledit before turning is annoying. I like the "a" key function in Ledit--I
haven't used any other program long enough to figure out if such a key
exists.(1)
> 2) Allow the current part to be moved without redrawing the entire model.
> The redraws are the most annoying problem in current alternatives to
> LEdit.
Especially for me--my building roofs are usually subfiles, and I always add
them last. If I misplace it, I've gotta' wait for the entire model, and I
can't just guess where it goes because the bricks beneath are waiting to be
redrawn.
> 3) Allow part selection with the same number of key strokes (or fewer)
> than LEdit. (ie, P, nnnn, ENTER where nnnn is the part number)
I *like* being able to see the parts. When modeling, I usually have
parts.lst open in Wordpad, and the VEC open in LDAO. I *don't* like having
to alt-tab back and forth, waiting for VEC to catch up to where I want to
be, etc. A finer definition of parts (ie: brick, 1x; brick, 2x; plate,
3x; wing small,), smaller graphics that can be enlarged, and preset
locations of the parts within the category tied to hotkeys should make
building faster and easier.
Hmm, I kinda' lost myself on that one. Example:
Category: Brick, 2x
Pos. 1=2x1
Pos 2=2x2
With the positions always relative to the brick size. With one press of a
button, I could change from pos.1, 2x1 to pos. 10, 2x10. With a click of
the mouse and a button stroke, I could change from 1x1 to 2x3. (1)
> 4) Allow color selection similarly (3-4 key strokes). (I don't want to
> use the mouse to choose a color)
Hotkeys. (1)
>
> 5) Insert new parts the way LEdit does (ie, same part, same color, same
> position, but default orientation 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1)
I forgot what program I tried last, but everytime I chose a part, I had to
zoom it out and try to gauge where exactly I wanted to place it. No simple
"1 click" away.
> 6) Support line-as-stud to reduce clutter while building
And to reduce redraw time.
> 7) Support *all* shortcut keys that LEdit supports (see
> http://library.advanced.org/20551/keys.html for a list)
Hotkeys, hotkeys, hotkeys--(Hey, a few I didn't know about!)
> Here are some suggestions for improvement on LEdit (some have already
> been implemented in the current alternatives:
>
> 1) Allow user defined views (or at least multiple 3D views)
Esc-file-save, modelname.dat enter alt-enter Ldao, modelname.dat, modeler,
first-line click, last line click, rotate, ?-axis, n degrees, file save
ledit, alt-enter,
esc-file-load modelname.dat.
Did I miss a step?
> 2) Improve searching for parts (MLCAD is pretty good for this,
> integrating LDList would be even better)
alt-enter, start menu--oh, nevermind. Please?
<snip>
The remainder I can't really comment upon since I've yet (yet) to encounter
problems here.
> Remember, these are just suggestions, but IMHO, the first 7 are useful
> features of LEdit which I strongly recommend implementing.
> --Bram
Please don't get me wrong--I *have* tried all the Lego CAD programs that I
can find so I can make an honest comparison (although, for some reason,
tonite I cannot type--I hope I catch all my arrows--er, errors). I feel
guilty about offering even constructive criticism becuase coding such
programs is beyond my current range of abilities. I can write a batch file
that'll clear the screen, change directories, then ask if you really want to
format c:\., but other than that...(2)
I am thankful for everybody who takes the time to do those things I cannot
do--parts, programs, raytracing (although I'm learning), etc. Keep up the
good work.
Brian (bbq) Sauls
1) I use both hands--one on the mouse, the other on the keyboard. On my
system, I have hotkeys for everything that I use on a regular basis. Thanks
to games such as Doom, Quake, and various flight sims, my hands can operate
independently of each other. In Ledit I am chained. I would *love* to be
able to do more in the windows-based programs with hotkeys. And if I missed
'em, point me to the FAQ. I'll learn.:)
2) I can feed 450 people at one sitting. I can make prime rib so tender
you can cut it with a spoon. I can turn a block of ice into a swan. And I
know just enough about computers to be mostly harmless.
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Message has 2 Replies:
 | | Re: Suggestions for developers of LCAD programs
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| (...) Short cuts for turning 90 degrees around x or z would be great too. (A for 90 degree turn around y axis, S around x, D around z maybe?) (...) alternatives (...) That reminds me, another good feature is the Start-at-Line option. (...) So do I, (...) (25 years ago, 21-Sep-99, to lugnet.cad.dev)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Suggestions for developers of LCAD programs
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| The creation of new LEGO CAD programs based on the LDraw DAT format is great, but I continue to use LEdit for a number of reasons. So, here are a few suggestions for Mike and Gary that could make me switch (these are all characteristics of LEdit: 1) (...) (25 years ago, 20-Sep-99, to lugnet.cad.dev)
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