Subject:
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Re: New guidelines on parts and numbers (long)
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.cad.dev
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Date:
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Thu, 1 Apr 1999 01:29:41 GMT
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Viewed:
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629 times
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On Wed, 31 Mar 1999 16:01:49 GMT, blisses@worldnet.att.net (Steve Bliss) wrote:
> [Subtitle: Parts Wars Episode IV: A New Hope]
Good one. :-)
<snipped the rest of the relevant text>
Steve's outline appears accurate to me. I _really_ , *REALLY* hope everyone
will think this through and see the benefits it brings. And not argue against
it from a strictly knee-jerk reaction to its upsetting the status-quo.
We have worked long and hard to come to agreement on this.
For modellers, things will be virtually unchanged. We will still have the
same categories, with parts available in the default #16 format.
For parts reference (and modelers, if they wish to use them), there will be new
categories, with each category prececed by the underscore '_'.
Pieces in those categories will be accurate: real TLG part numbers with the
correct colors and patterns.
That does NOT mean that pieces like a basic 3001 2x4 brick will be represented
by versions in every color. 3001 is a "generic" number, applicable to a wide
range of colors. On the other hand, the Silver 2x4 brick *would* be in that
new category, as it most certainly has a unique TLG part number.
As Steve alluded to, some software has been altered to better manage this
change. LDAO's VEC now will sort the new '_' categories after the normal
categories. And each user has the option of turning display of these
categories on or off by the simple change of a line in the ldraw.ini file.
Anders LDList Part Searcher now also sorts the the '_' categories last. And it
also now indexes the Keywords and Categories found in some files.
At present, there is still one minor matter to be resolved. As part of this
solution, we intend on including some pieces in #16 color format that probably
do not exist. Explanation:
The pieces _do_ exist, but only as a very specific color or pattern
combination. So we would have that part added with the correct color/correct
number format in a _type category. Example: The dinghy or raft.
It will be added, in yellow, and using the correct number of 410xxxx
But for modeling ease and utility, we also need to add a #16 version. Which,
technically, does not exist. So for a part number, we would give it a
temporary number. BUT, it is argued that this "temporary" number is not, in
fact, temporary at all. There is virtually no chance of ever getting the
"right" number for a piece that does not actually exist. So, the argument
goes, we should not waste a simple 3-digit part number, but rather a number
that clearly indicates that the part is entirely fictional.
We are working on that now, and some solution will be agreed upon.
It is important to note that the existing stock of unused 3-digit numbers will
eventually be depleted. So, at some point, we will be forced to devise a new
temporary numbering scheme.
Looking at it that way, adding a special numbering scheme for these
non-existent parts now will extend the life of the ordinary 3-digit number
range. And it is something we will have to do eventually, so why not now?
Finally, modifiying the parts catalog as shown will ensure that we stay
together. It has been suggested that we could split the catalog into two
separate versions: one for modelers, and one for parts reference.
I am strongly against this. Doing so would fracture us, and cause problems
with model distribution. What happens when someone uses parts from one
catalog, and then tries to share their creation with someone who uses the other
catalog?
Most people would be forced to get and use both catalogs. So why separate
them? Leave them combined.
-- Terry K --
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Message has 4 Replies:
 | | Re: New guidelines on parts and numbers (long)
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| Good work guys! I think you've come up with an excellent solution, like Ulysses navigating the waters between Scylla and Charbydis. I look forward to seeing its implementation, and am thankful I'm not the one doing it :-) -John Van (25 years ago, 1-Apr-99, to lugnet.cad.dev)
| | | Re: New guidelines on parts and numbers (long)
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| (...) Would you also color the inside of the brick dark grey and the outside silver? :) What about the 6H antennas? Would you include the little scratched off places where you can see that the piece is actually transparent? :) Seriously, though, I (...) (25 years ago, 1-Apr-99, to lugnet.cad.dev)
| | | Re: New guidelines on parts and numbers (long)
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| Steve and Terry described the new guidelines on parts and numbers. Nice piece of work. I support it. Terry mentioned a suggestion of mine: (...) Because it (in a sense) is two different kinds of data. And because 1000 files already is quite a lot (...) (25 years ago, 1-Apr-99, to lugnet.cad.dev)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | New guidelines on parts and numbers (long)
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| [Subtitle: Parts Wars Episode IV: A New Hope] [Terry and others in the know: please don't be shy about correcting me on any point I am mis-reporting.] You may have noticed recent announcements about LDList and LDAO concerning LDraw part-names and (...) (25 years ago, 31-Mar-99, to lugnet.cad.dev)
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