Parts Tracker FAQ
Questions are in bold. Answers are in normal text.
What is the Parts Tracker?
Right now, the Parts Tracker is the place to send your part files if you want them added to the LDraw Parts Library.
Eventually, it will also be the place to request certain parts be made for LDraw.
How do I submit my parts?
First, you must be authorized as an author on the Parts Tracker.
If you have parts to submit, iyou must have read and affirmed the Contributor Agreement.
Then register with the Ldraw.org Forum and send email to the
Parts Library Admin (Chris Dee) with your true first and last name, and your Ldraw.org username.
You must also include the statement
"I accept the LDraw.org Contributor Agreement with regards to all past and future contributions I make to LDraw.org".
Once you've heard from us that you've been given submission priviliges, just click menu item 'Submit',
at the top of every Parts Tracker webpage.
Now choose to which folder you want to submit your part(s).
Available folders are:
- \Parts - Normal Parts Folder
- \Parts\S - Subparts Folder
- \P - Primitives Folder
- \P\48 - 48 Segment Primitive Folder
Choose the file for submitting from your harddisk. If you want to replace a previous version of your own file then put a checkmark into the Replace checkbox. Make sure you never check this box if you submit your file for the first time (so the tracker is able to check if the filename is already used). Never replace a part that's not your own part (unless you've got permission from the author)!
-CS
The Parts Tracker rejected my part! Why did it do that?
You may get an error submitting your part.
There are three possible reasons:
- The part already exists in the official part collection
- The part's name is already used by an unofficial part in the Parts Tracker.
- There was a syntax error in your file.
-CS & SB
So.. how can I submit an updated version of an official part?
Email the updated part to the Parts Library Admin.
We will put it in the Parts Tracker. Once an updated version of an official part is on the Parts Tracker,
subsequent resubmissions do not require admin intervention.
-CS
How do I delete a part from the Tracker?
Send an email to the Parts Library Admin, asking us to remove the file.
How do I post a review?
You must be authorized as a reviewer in order to post.
There are fewer reviewers than there are authors;
reviewers should have good expertise with LDraw parts,
and some familiarity with the conventions of the LDraw Part Library.
First, pick the file you want to review.
On every part details/tracking history page, you'll find a link for reviewing.
Click on it, login if prompted, and make your choice on the certify status.
At the moment there are three certify statii available:
| No Vote | I'm not ready to vote yet. (Clears previous votes!). This means that you're just leaving a comment. It's also a way you can undo a previous hold or certify vote, without committing to a new vote. |
|---|---|
| Hold (No) | It's getting there, but not yet. There are errors to be corrected before the part can be released. The author has to take care of the errors. |
| Certify (Yes) | This file is ready for general release. |
-CS
How do I request a part?
A request feature is not yet implemented.
For now, you can request a part by going to the LDraw Forum
and asking.
-CS
When will the parts be released?
Long term, we're aiming towards having quaarterly releases subject to there being sufficient certified parts.
-CD
A lot of the parts in the active list are already official! What's up with that?
Parts are being updated all the time.
When we get a fix, it goes into the Parts Tracker for approval, just like new parts.
What's the right number for my part?
For more information about part numbering, see the Official Library Part Number Specification.
What's the right number for my patterned part?
See the Pattern Section of the Official Library Part Number Specification.
What are 'primitives'?
Short answer: please see the Primitives Reference.
What are 'subparts'?
Generally, subparts are LDraw files created for repeating structures in parts.
For example, if you create a Tile 2x2 with a new top pattern you can use
the corresponding subpart, S\2068S01.DAT (it doesn't have a top face).
So you only have to create the top face by yourself and then reference
to the subpart for the rest of the part.
This saves a lot of time and space.
What's the right format for a part file?
Make sure the parts header conforms to the
Official Library Header Specification
Ensure the last line ends with a return.
Everything else is up to your work and imagination ;).
What are KEYWORDS?
A: Please see the !CATEGORY and !KEYWORDS Language Extension.
How do I use CATEGORY?
A: Please see the !CATEGORY and !KEYWORDS Language Extension.
What should I look for when I review a part?
See the Reviewing Parts FAQ
What's this BFC?
Back Face Culling is a way for graphics programs to speed up rendering,
by quickly discarding surfaces which are facing away from the viewer.
LDraw's syntax doesn't support BFC operations.
With some formatting rules and a few additional meta-statements,
part files can support BFC-capable renderers.
For more information about BFC, see Back Face Culling (BFC) Language Extension.
What is the CMDLINE meta-statement?
Syntax:
0 CMDLINE [LDraw run-time command(s)]
The CMDLINE meta-statement is a way of permitting a file's author to *document* certain run-time commands which can be considered as default or required for the file in question.
For example, most minifig faces are printed on yellow minifig heads. Therefore, it would be appropriate for such a DAT file to have the meta-statement:
0 CMDLINE -c14
Note that the "-c14" is the run-time command to tell LDraw that the file in question is to be rendered with the "base" color of Yellow (color-14).
Note, also, that most rendering programs do *not* execute this meta-statement. As stated previously, this is a (formalized) comment.
-FWC 2002-4-5