Getting Started - Linux

Step 1: Download and Install the LDraw Library

Basic Setup (applies to any Linux distribution or operating system - Recommended approach):

• Download the latest complete.zip from LDraw.org download page.
• Extract the complete.zip archive in the directory of your choice - your home directory is recommended (~/ldraw/)to avoid any file permission conflict or having to tamper with your system as 'root'.

Installer package approach (applies to any Red Hat or Debian based Linux distribution, provided packages exist and are maintained:

RPM:

• Download the latest (2013_02) version of the parts library packaged by Eli Carter from the retracile.net blog page.
• Install ldraw_parts-creativecommons-201302-ec4.noarch.rpm using your preferred package manager or command package management tool (yum, dpkg).
  • Note: this method will unpack the parts library under a more conventional system directory (/usr/share/ldraw) that is only modifiable via 'root' access.

DEB:

• To be determined - Online queries do suggest that a new package for Debian based systems is being created and submitted for approval via the Debian package overview server page at [1]

Step 2: Install LDCad

• Go to http://www.melkert.net/LDCad and download the Linux version of LDCad
• Unzip the package into the directory of your choice
• Run LDCad
• When asked for the location of the LDraw Library, use the directory where you unzipped complete.zip.

Step 2b: Other editors

• The Konstruktor editor is also under development and may offer an alternative to LDCad.

Step 3: Dive in

Learning how to use your new editor or understanding the LDraw file format may be a challenge, but with a little practice you will get the hang of it. Check out the tutorials on the wiki or on the main website.

Help!

Need help with any of this? Visit the LDraw.org Forums and ask a large group of users for help.