LDraw to LDD conversion: Difference between revisions

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While some earlier (pre 2.0) versions of LDD came with LDraw import and export features the latest version does not ship with a valid conversion file and has also lost the ability to read MPDs. Fortunately this problem is easily remedied by installing a customised conversion file.
The LDraw and LDD libraries differ in color numbers, sometimes in part numbers, the fact that LDD parts are measured in millimeters while LDraw uses LDUs – LDraw Units, but most notably in the part's origin point. While LDraw parts have their origin in the middle of the part the LDD origin is in the bottom right-hand corner.


==The conversion file (LDraw.xml)==
<center>[[Image:Tutorial_LDD_LDRAWorigin.png]][[Image:Tutorial_LDD_LDDorigin.png]]</center>
The conversion between LDraw and LDD is governed by a set of rules contained in the [[ldraw.xml|'''ldraw.xml''']] file in the found in the ''LDD2Directory''/'''assets''' directory (where ''LDD2Directory'' is the directory in which LDD 2 is installed). Unfortunately the one that ships with current versions of LDD only contains a single mapping rule.


==Getting LDraw.xml==
The conversion between LDraw and LDD is governed by the ldraw.xml file which contains all the information about these differences. The file can in the found in the „LEGO Digital Designer/Assets“ directory (where „LEGO Digital Designer“ is the directory in which LDD 2 is installed). Though the current LDD ships with a version containing a good bunch of translations compiled by the LEGO Universe Team and LDraw-users you might replaced with an updated version that can be found here.
A description and links to the latest version of the '''LDraw.xml''' file can be found [[LDraw.xml File|here]].


==Installing LDraw.xml==
To install the file just go to the „LEGO Digital Designer/Assets“ directory, back up the existing ldraw.xml and overwrite it with the latest version. Once this is done start or restart LDD and it will now use the updated list.
To install a file just go to the ''LDD2Directory''/'''assets''' directory (where ''LDD2Directory'' is the directory that LDD2 is installed in), back up the '''ldraw.xml''' there and replace it by the new one. Once this is done start or restart LDD and it will now use the updated list.
 
<center>[[Image:Tutorial_LDD_Conversion1.gif]]</center>
 
1.) Select the '''File''' menu and then the '''Import (Ctrl+I)''' tab ('''File > Import (Ctrl+I''').
 
<center>[[Image:Tutorial_LDD_Conversion2.gif]]</center>
 
2.) In the popping up dialog you first have to select '''Ldraw-Files (*.ldr)''' from the Files of type: drop-down box. Otherwise the dialog will show only its default '''LXF-Files (*.lxf)'''.
3.) You can now read LDraw files (but not MPD files). After hitting the '''Open''' button it should load your LDraw-Model although there are likely to be numerous mistakes due to oversensitivity of the LDD collision detection or not supported colors.
 
<center>[[Image:Tutorial_LDD_Conversion3.gif]]</center>
 
4.) For the event you get this type of warning you should check the following:
:* Did you use parts not supported by LDD? The pallette of the supported LDD parts can be found at the LEGO Digital Designer homepage: http://ldd.lego.com/
:* Contains your model parts in not supported colors? LDD's color pallette is in some ways limited by the bricks you can purchased through LEGO Factory. Therefore you can for example use a Brick 1 x 2 in all the colors below, but the LEGO Digital Designer will refuse to load an orange 1 x 2:
 
<center>[[Image:Tutorial_LDD_Conversion4.gif]]</center>
 
:* The part will not load because its translations hasn't been added to the ldraw.xml file yet or the internal LDD part number has changed. Please contact the LDraw Team if the part in question comes in the right color and is supported by both system but gives out an error. We will do our best to add the part for the next release.


==Reading an LDraw file==
Once you've installed the new conversion file you can read LDraw files (but not MPD files). To do this you just select "Open File" and find the ldraw file you want to read. After that it should open although there are likely to be numerous mistakes due to oversensitivity of the LDD collision detection.


==Writing an LDraw file==
With luck this system should work better than reading. Just select "Save as" and add ".ldr" to the end of the filename. The system should then save an LDraw file rather than the usual LXF file.




[[category:tutorials]]
[[category:tutorials]]

Revision as of 16:54, 16 January 2008

The LDraw and LDD libraries differ in color numbers, sometimes in part numbers, the fact that LDD parts are measured in millimeters while LDraw uses LDUs – LDraw Units, but most notably in the part's origin point. While LDraw parts have their origin in the middle of the part the LDD origin is in the bottom right-hand corner.

The conversion between LDraw and LDD is governed by the ldraw.xml file which contains all the information about these differences. The file can in the found in the „LEGO Digital Designer/Assets“ directory (where „LEGO Digital Designer“ is the directory in which LDD 2 is installed). Though the current LDD ships with a version containing a good bunch of translations compiled by the LEGO Universe Team and LDraw-users you might replaced with an updated version that can be found here.

To install the file just go to the „LEGO Digital Designer/Assets“ directory, back up the existing ldraw.xml and overwrite it with the latest version. Once this is done start or restart LDD and it will now use the updated list.

1.) Select the File menu and then the Import (Ctrl+I) tab (File > Import (Ctrl+I).

2.) In the popping up dialog you first have to select Ldraw-Files (*.ldr) from the Files of type: drop-down box. Otherwise the dialog will show only its default LXF-Files (*.lxf). 3.) You can now read LDraw files (but not MPD files). After hitting the Open button it should load your LDraw-Model although there are likely to be numerous mistakes due to oversensitivity of the LDD collision detection or not supported colors.

4.) For the event you get this type of warning you should check the following:

  • Did you use parts not supported by LDD? The pallette of the supported LDD parts can be found at the LEGO Digital Designer homepage: http://ldd.lego.com/
  • Contains your model parts in not supported colors? LDD's color pallette is in some ways limited by the bricks you can purchased through LEGO Factory. Therefore you can for example use a Brick 1 x 2 in all the colors below, but the LEGO Digital Designer will refuse to load an orange 1 x 2:
  • The part will not load because its translations hasn't been added to the ldraw.xml file yet or the internal LDD part number has changed. Please contact the LDraw Team if the part in question comes in the right color and is supported by both system but gives out an error. We will do our best to add the part for the next release.