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Published By Tim on Saturday, May 31, 2003 - 04:35 PM
Welcome to the LDraw.org Tutorials section. Here you can learn techniques to enhance your proficiency with various LDraw tools.
Easy to follow step by step instructions teach you everything from using software programs to creating stunning renderings. The tutorial section is constructed in a unique way to allow for easy expansion and addition of topics. We always have someone working on a new tutorial for LDraw.org. Courses are divided up into the following categories: Within those categories there are levels - beginner, intermediate, and advanced. For more information on contributing to the Tutorials section at LDraw.org, see the bottom of the page. Tips and Tricks
Organize Your Tools
Organizing where you save the myriad of LDraw related tools is easy, and keeps them all in one place so they're easy to access.
Configure your Context-Sensitive Menus
Set up Windows to launch an LDraw tool of choice by right clicking on an LDR or DAT file.
Customize MLCad through the MLCad.ini file
The MLCad.ini file manages the minifig generator, defines the order of scanned folders during the launch of MLCad, which comes handy when dealing with unofficial (not yet certified) or custom LDraw parts and rules the interaction with LSynth.
Design
rare-colored models with confidence
ColorManager can help you design models using rare colors. It can also update MLCAD with the latest official LDraw colors - even change the names of the colors to other langauges.
Modeling
Beginner Modeling
LDraw All-In-One-Installer tutorial
Use the LDraw All-In-One-Installer if you want a quick and easy way to install the LDraw Parts Library and many of the popular 3rd party tools as well in one go.
Installation advice for the LDraw Parts Library and MLCad
This tutorial by Willy Tschager will teach you how to set up a simple LDraw system with the MLCad editor and the LDraw Parts Library.
Digital building with MLCad
This tutorial will teach you the basics to build digital models in MLCad. Furthermore it will show you tips and tricks and help with troubleshooting problems you might encounter.
Changing MLCad's Language Interface
Tutorial on how to change the default language MLCad displays by Willy Tschager.
MLCad.ini file for the Minifig Generator
The MLCad.ini file tells the program - among other things - which parts are available in MLCad's and Bricksmith's minifigure generator.
What Are MPD Files And How Do I Make Them
Tutorial on what MPD files are and to make them.
How Do I Add LDraw Parts to My Library
Learn how add new parts to your parts library.
What Are LDraw File Model Comments And How Do I Use Them
Tutorial on what LDraw comments are and how to add them to a model file.
LDraw and LEdit Tutorial
Learn to use the original DOS LDraw tools with Bram Lambrecht's very popular and easy to follow tutorial.
Intermediate Modeling
How to easily rotate a group of parts in MLCad
Willy Tschager shows you an alternative, more visual approach to rotate a group of parts around a common self-defined rotation point using a helper part created for the purpose.
Using LSynth via MLCad
Tutorial on how setup and run LSynth through MLCad's interface by Willy Tschager.
Advanced Modeling
How to build a Formula 1 race car with virtual bricks
Luca Rusconi teaches you how to scale down a Formula 1 race car using official information about the chassis dimensions, the shape and geometry of the suspensions, the engine configuration, etc.
File Format Conversion
Beginner Conversion
Converting LDR Files to POV Files for Rendering
Jeroen de Haan and Jake McKee give users an introduction to converting LDraw files for rendering in POV-Ray.
Converting LDraw to LDD and LDD to LDraw
Learn how LEGO Digital Designer's Import/Export feature works and what has to be observed for a successful conversion.
Intermediate Conversion
LDraw to SimCity 3000 Unlimited Tutorial
A brief tutorial regarding importing LDraw models into SimCity 3000 Unlimited.
Peeron_to_MLCad Tutorial
A tutorial written by Michele Somma on how to convert a web page containing a set inventory from Peeron.com into a MLCad file.
Advanced Conversion
Cleaning LDraw Models for Export
How to remove internal faces with MeshLabLDraw models are great to look at, but are generally inappropriate for real-time rendering tasks such as video games. Here's why. Learn how to lower a converted model's polygon count by removing faces that are not visible to the viewer. Rendering
Beginner Rendering
The Difference Between POV-Ray 3.1g and 3.5
Haven't made the switch POV-Ray 3.5? Before you do, read this article for some things to consider
POV-Ray Floor Effects
How to add different floor to you POV-Ray scenes
Freeform Camera Positioning with MLCad, L3P, and POV-Ray
Learn how to position the camera in these three utilities to get the most out of your 3D models.
LDraw rendering in Fry Render
Follow this tutorial to learn how to build and render LEGO sets using 3DStudio Max and Fry Render
Intermediate Rendering
Create High Quality Building Instructions
Jonathan Knudsen illustrates how to use MLCAD, L3P, and POV-Ray to create renderings of building instructions.
Adding a Background Image to a POV-Ray Generated Image Using Alpha Channels and PhotoShop
POV-Ray can create images with an alpha channel, which can be used to determine transparency. This tutorial will show one way to use the alpha channel and add a background image that is visible through the POV-Ray generated graphic.
Compositing 3D Models with 2D Scenes
A tutorial on how to composting a 3D model with a 2D scene to make the final model image look like it is actually in the scene.
Quick Rendering a Model with LDView using a Batch File
A tutorial on how to make a batch file to quick render a model in LDview by Willy Tschager.
Polarized Glasses Tutorial
A tutorial on how to render your scenes to be viewed with polarized glasses.
Advanced Rendering
How to build an army
Philip Heinrich teaches you how to create a winner for LDraw's Scene of the Month contest. Building Instuctions
Building Instructions
Introduction to Creating Building Instructions Images
A basic introduction into creating building instructions for your models
Helper Files for Building Instruction Images
Ever wonder how to add "arrows", "dotted lines" and numbers to your building instructions? Obtain the tools here to build like the pros. Animation
Beginner Animation
Animation 101 - Simple Movement: Object Movement
The first in a series of animation tutorials by Ahui Herrera using LDraw and POV-Ray.
Animation 102 - Simple Movement: Camera Movement
The second in a series of animation tutorials by Ahui Herrera using LDraw and POV-Ray.
Animation 103 - Step Movement
The third in a series of animation tutorials by Ahui Herrera using LDraw and POV-Ray.
Creating Animations with POV-Ray Tutorial Series
These tutorial are not LDraw specific but they are invaluable in introducing the basics of POV-Ray animations
LDraw Animatable Models
Tips for creating models with moveable parts and how to position the parts so they correctly rotate around their center of rotation by James Reynolds.
Intermediate Animation
Rotation Animation Tutorial
A tutorial discussing how to make specific parts of a model rotate (e.g. car wheels, helicopter rotors)
Piston Movement Tutorial
A tutorial detailing the process invloved in piston animation. Parts Authoring
Beginner Authoring
Bits �n Pieces
Here�s a crash course by Willy Tschager in LDraw part authoring and learn that you don�t have to be a math guru or hack your way through a jungle of ones or zeros.
Introduction to Creating LDraw Parts
A few parts authors' writings on the subject, copied from the original LDraw FAQ question, 'How can I create a part that is not yet in LDraw?'
Basic Parts Authoring in LDraw
The PowerPoint file for the presentation given during BrickFest 2005 by Orion Pobursky. Discusses the LDraw file format and other topics.
Reviewing Parts for LDraw
Niels Bugge dives into the nuts'n'bolts of part reviewing and gives clues to ease the work of the reviewers.
Avoiding T-Junctions in LDraw Parts
Travis Cobbs explains what T-Junctions in LDraw parts are and how you can avoid them.
Intermediate Authoring
Edger tutorial
Tutorial describing the use of Lee Gaiteri's Edger, an optional lines calculator (tutorial written by J.C. Tchang)
Advanced Authoring
Building shapes with Quad2Dat, Edger and Ytruder
This tutorial describes how Philo created the finger of 50914 part, using several tools. Help Out! Write Tutorials for LDraw.org
We're looking for more good tutorials for the site to help out our new users and users who want to learn more. If you enjoy using the LDraw system of tools, this would be a great way to give back to the community! Tutorials only take an evening or two to write, so you're not killing yourself with a time commitment. Look on the right for the list of topics we're looking for.
The other cool thing is, no web skills are needed to write! Write your tutorial in plain text format, spacing out paragraphs, and zip up any images you create when you send it in! If this sounds like something you would like to do, drop the webmasters a line and let them know! Thanks!! We're Looking For These Tutorial Topics: How to make images of your models for building instructions, web publications, and print media. Note: Modified by Holly-Wood 26. Oct 2011: Added AIOI tutorial.
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