Subject:
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Re: Special tools used to build/design parts?
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.cad.dev
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Date:
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Wed, 20 Dec 2000 21:59:51 GMT
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Viewed:
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521 times
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In lugnet.cad.dev, Kyle D. Jackson wrote:
> In lugnet.cad.dev, Andy Lynch writes:
> > Hello everyone,
> > I was wondering if there are any special 3d design tools that people are
> > using to create parts. I checked the LDraw.org pages and mostly saw viewers.
> >
> > Anyone? Any opinions on the best tools for a potential new designer?
>
> I'd like to add to Andy's call for info. I have to, he beat me
> to it :]
I'd especially like to hear from Franklin "Mr. Prolific" Cain. Are you
using some tool unknown to the rest of us, Franklin?
> My uninformed understanding is that parts are currently created
> by manuipulating text files, much like one could manually make
> POV-Ray files? But there is no GUI-type (ie, CAD) program to
> make the parts?
There's LDraw Add-On, which includes a text editor with some LDraw-related
editing tools. And LDScript (with LDSShell), which is a simple BASIC-like
language for generating DAT files. And Marc Klein has created an STL2DAT
utility, but I don't remember what the STL format is. :( Some people use
MLCAD to create part files.
> Here's my angle. I use Pro/ENGINEER regularly. I can model
> any LEGO part you can throw at me, and make it "exact".
That could be a problem. LDraw has a variety of standard dimensions, which
are not the 'exact', realworld dimensions.
> Similarly, I currently use MLCAD to make LEGO models, then
> use L3P to convert the .DATs to .POVs. I'm wondering about
> the possibilities of making a utility to convert Pro/E files
> to .DATs, so that I could use Pro/E to create parts for the
> libraries. Note that I won't do this (make the utility) but
> I am ready and able to make parts in Pro/E if they can be
> gotten in .DAT format or whatever.
Is there any public documentation of the Pro/E format? Is there a more
general format that Pro/E can output, that would make more sense to have a
tool to convert to DAT?
> If anyone has already made a utitlity to get from IGES or STEP
> to DAT, for example, then I can already start working on parts
> in Pro/E.
Got any doc on those file formats?
> One last lingering question: why are round objects faceted,
> not round? Is this a limitation of the current .DAT format?
> Can the facet count be increased and still be compatible (ie,
> can we make "higher res" versions of the parts)?
It's a limitation of the DAT format. DAT only supports lines, triangles,
and quads. All curved surfaces are simulated.
Steve
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Message has 4 Replies:
 | | Re: Special tools used to build/design parts?
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| (...) Time. Lots and lots of time. Time waiting for recruiters to call/write me back to let me know of the status of that "possible position" with whatever company. Time waiting for some HR person to call/write me back to let me know when (*IF*) I (...) (24 years ago, 21-Dec-00, to lugnet.cad.dev)
| | | Re: Special tools used to build/design parts?
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| (...) I remember hearing about that. But it's not a big deal, as what I mean is that I can model the shapes to be accurate, in terms of having the proper curves, blends, etc on some of the more complicated parts. I can make it all fit to whatever (...) (24 years ago, 22-Dec-00, to lugnet.cad.dev)
| | | Re: Special tools used to build/design parts?
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| On Wed, 20 Dec 2000 21:59:51 GMT, Steve Bliss <steve.bliss@home.com> wrote: And Marc Klein has created an STL2DAT (...) The STL format is used for the stereolithography fast prototyping machines. It choose this format because it can be produced by (...) (24 years ago, 22-Dec-00, to lugnet.cad.dev)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: Special tools used to build/design parts?
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| (...) I'd like to add to Andy's call for info. I have to, he beat me to it :] My uninformed understanding is that parts are currently created by manuipulating text files, much like one could manually make POV-Ray files? But there is no GUI-type (ie, (...) (24 years ago, 20-Dec-00, to lugnet.cad.dev)
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