LDraw is a popular system of free software tools for modeling Lego creations in 3D. The LDraw file format and original program were written by James Jessiman. He also modeled many of the original parts in the parts library that is central to the program. In 1997, James passed away. Since then, a variety of programs have been written that use the LDraw parts library and file format. LDraw models are frequently raytraced in POV-Ray, a free 3D renderer. Free software, as defined by the Free Software Foundation, is software which can be used, copied, studied, modified and redistributed without restriction. ... Lego Group logo The classic red 2x4 Lego brick. ... The Utah teapot, rendered in POV-Ray. ...

The LDraw format divides a model into steps so that the building instructions can be incorporated into the design, and also allows for steps that rotate the camera and even (primitively) move parts around. It also allows for models to be used as pieces in larger models to make design easier.

All of these tools, as well as information about LDraw and other resources, are available from the LDraw website.

External links

Modeling

MLCad

It is possible, but difficult, to generate a Lego creation solely by entering the piece "part numbers" and their positions. Usually, the following tools will be used to put them together. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1024x768, 328 KB) Summary The interface of MLCAD, a popular Ldraw modeller. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1024x768, 328 KB) Summary The interface of MLCAD, a popular Ldraw modeller. ...

• MLCad, an orthographic editor with wizards for generating minifigs, hoses, belts, and springs. It is available for Microsoft Windows, but is known to work in WINE.
• LeoCAD, an editor with a perspective camera. It is available for Microsoft Windows and Linux.
• ldraw and ledit are the original DOS programs that were written by James Jessiman, the originator of the standard. They have not been updated since 1997, and are considered obsolete.
• LDraw-mode is an Emacs major mode for editing LDraw files as text.

The Ldraw.org site referenced below has a more complete list with reviews and in many cases, downloadable installs. This article is about technical drawings. ... Space, Castle and Town minifigures. ... Microsoft Windows is a series of popular proprietary operating environments and operating systems created by Microsoft for use on personal computers and servers. ... Wine is an alcoholic beverage produced by the fermentation of grapes and grape juice. ... Look up perspective in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Tux is the Linux mascot. ... It has been suggested that X86 DOS Comparison be merged into this article or section. ... This article is about the text editor. ...

Viewing

• L3Lab, a fast orthographic viewer for LDraw files, available for Microsoft Windows
• LDLite, a slower perspective viewer for LDraw files that boasts specular reflection and cutaway viewing. It runs in Microsoft Windows.
• LDView, an OpenGL-accelerated program similar to LDLite, for Microsoft Windows and Linux.
• Ldglite, an open-source, OpenGL viewer similar to LDLite, for Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Mac OS.

This article is about technical drawings. ... Microsoft Windows is a series of popular proprietary operating environments and operating systems created by Microsoft for use on personal computers and servers. ... Look up perspective in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... OpenGL official logo OpenGL (Open Graphics Library) is a specification defining a cross-language cross-platform API for writing applications that produce 3D computer graphics (and 2D computer graphics as well). ... Tux is the Linux mascot. ... The neutrality of this article or section may be compromised by weasel words. Please see the relevant discussion on the talk page. ... Mac OS, which stands for Macintosh Operating System, is a range of graphical user interface-based operating systems developed by Apple Computer for their Macintosh computers. ...

Converting

• L2P and L3P, two similarly-named but independent programs that convert LDraw files to files that can be rendered with POV-Ray. Both of these programs use Lutz Uhlmann's LGEO library, which contains LDraw parts hand-converted to POV-Ray CSGs for better-looking parts. They run under DOS and Linux. (NOTE: The Lego library does not use semicolons after #declare statements, so "#version 3.1;" must be added to the beginning of the file to make it render in POV-Ray 3.5)
• LDraw2LWS is a Microsoft Windows program that converts LDraw files to Lightwave Objects and Lightwave Scenes.
• Ld2vr converts LDraw files to VRML. It uses Java, so it should work with any operating system.