Subject:
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Re: Naming of pieces
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.db.inv
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Date:
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Wed, 11 Jul 2001 17:14:08 GMT
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Viewed:
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751 times
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My thoughts on part naming:
A lot of LDRAW names seem like first attempts that have since been improved on
by others elsewhere (Auczilla for example.) I've thought hard about many odd
part names and I agree it's not easy to make a good name. A good name is one
that describes geometric essentials, and lets you form an idea of the part in
your head and match it to your experience. That said, it's still pretty hard
to do.
In lugnet.db.inv, William R. Ward writes:
> * The 2625 "Boat Bow Plate 6x7" can be used just as easily on a spaceship or
> airplane. How about "Plate 6x7 without Corners"? Or "Wing 6x7"?
This is sometimes known as a Tapered Plate because it is multiply sloped.
"Without Corners" suggests the kind that have them cut off at a 45% angle
(which is also known as half-octagonal, etc.) I myself consider this a tapered
bow deck plate. I hate categorizing airplane and boat bricks and other
multiply-sloped parts, but it's gotta be done.
> * The 4070 "Brick 1x1 with Headlight" can be used for a lot of things
> besides headlights - how about "Brick 1x1 with Stud on Side"?
This one is just tradition; it's been a headlight brick since 1977. I prefer
headlight brick.
> * The 2877 "Brick 1x2 with Grille" - how about "Brick 1x2 with
> Corrugated Sides"?
I think the majority has moved on to corrugated. There are many other, painted
grill bricks.
> * The 2880 "Hinge Train Cantenary[sic] Holder" is not only misspelled
> (should be "Catenary"), but overly specific. I don't have a
> suggestion for renaming this one, though...
Some naming systems focus on the number and position of hinge fingers: two
inner hinge fingers, three outer hinge fingers. It's a tough area.
> * The 4740, 3960, etc. "Space Radar Dishes" - how about something
> generic like "Parabolic Dishes"?
Parabolic Dishes is better than Umbrellas.
> * The 32124 "Technic Rotor 2 Blade with 4 Studs" - Not necessarily a
> rotor. How about "Technic Plate 1x5 with Axle Hole and Rounded Ends"?
I like your thinking there.
> * The 32293 "Technic Steering Link 9L" isn't necessarily for
> steering. "Technic Link 9L" is the best I can come up with.
Like the headlight brick, tradition... Here, a "Link" is so vague and suggests
nothing so Steering Link is not out of place as a hint.
> * The 2741 "Technic Supercar Steering Wheel" isn't just on the Super
> Car. How about "Technic Steering Wheel with T-Shaped Center"?
> * The 4349 "Town Loudhailer" is also a space gun, or measuring
> instrument, or rocket engine, etc. - how about "Minifg Accessory
> with 1x1 Cone" or "Brick 1x1x2 Round with Handle"?
The problem is nobody thinks of that piece in generic brick terms! It's not
even a brick but a cone ! Dimensions are fine.
Generic terms are fine when they replace theme-specific wording. "Classic Space
Prongs" is a name begging for a non-themed name, but "1x2 plate with dual
prongs" is the best I have come up with. However, with the loudhailer, no
matter where it appears it still greatly resembles a loudhailer shape!
So, those are some of my thoughts on part naming.
Anyone who tries to bring order to the chaos of current usage is a hero. (Also
a person with lots of time to spend.) However, you still have to respect what's
already accepted to avoid confusion. That's why I decided a multi-name
dictionary was the way to go, and I spent weeks building software and typing
names, and ended up with less than satisfactory results.
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Message has 2 Replies:
 | | Re: Naming of pieces
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| [ Note: I'm crossposting this to lugnet.cad, but with a FUT to lugnet.db.inv so that it doesn't fill up both groups if the thread grows. CAD folks who have an interest in this thread, please come over to db.inv and give your two cents. ] (...) (...) (23 years ago, 11-Jul-01, to lugnet.db.inv, lugnet.cad)
| | | Re: Naming of pieces
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| (...) I'd put this particular piece in as a wing, and the matching brick as a wedge, but the plate-with-panel doesn't really fit in with the panel elements. So is it better to leave these parts all together where they are, or move some of them to (...) (23 years ago, 11-Jul-01, to lugnet.db.inv)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Naming of pieces
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| I'm not sure if this is the right place to bring this up, but... I've noticed that a lot of pieces have been given names which do not allow for the full range of use of the elements. Looking at the inventory of the Sopwith Camel, I found several (...) (23 years ago, 10-Jul-01, to lugnet.db.inv)
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