AWESOME-LDraw

LDraw — an awesome software, file format, parts library and model repository (3D models of LEGO® and LEGO-compatible bricks)

• Discussion: https://forums.ldraw.org/thread-23692.html

• Homepage: https://ldraw.org/
• Wiki: https://wiki.ldraw.org/wiki/LDraw.org_Wiki
• Forum: https://forums.ldraw.org/
• Virtual Models repository: https://omr.ldraw.org/

Fair Play

LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this site & software.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• TERMINOLOGY
• FILE FORMAT SPECIFICATION
• COLORS
• BRICKS & BLOCKS
  • LDraw Official & Unofficial Parts
  • LDraw Other Parts
  • Non-LDraw Parts
• RESOURCES
• SOFTWARE
  • LDraw AIOI (LDraw All-In-One-Installer)
  • Apps for Novice LDraw users
  • Tools for Advanced LDraw users
  • Other Software
• «Micropolis» Standard
• Project «Datsville»
• TUTORIALS
• REFERENCES

TERMINOLOGY

• https://wiki.ldraw.org/wiki/Category:Terms

FILE FORMAT SPECIFICATION

• https://wiki.ldraw.org/wiki/Category:LDraw_Files_Syntax

COLORS

• LDConfig.ldr — official colours definitions for LDraw (+ article1, spec)
  • LDCfgalt.ldr — alternative colours definitions for LDraw with different edgeline colours,primarily intended for rendering and those who prefer their CAD models to look more realistic in an editor such as LeoCAD, MLCad.
• http://www.mecabricks.com/docs/colour_chart.pdf
• https://rebrickable.com/media/downloads/colors.csv

BRICKS & BLOCKS

LDraw Official and Unofficial Parts

• LDraw Official — LEGO® parts maintained by LDraw.org.

  • Homepage: https://www.ldraw.org/article/13.html
  • Package(s): complete.zip (latest stable release)
  • Repository/Tracker: https://www.ldraw.org/library/tracker/
  • License: CCAL 2.0

• LDraw Unofficial — unfinished (work-in-progress) LEGO® parts and LEGO®-compatible parts submitted by users to LDraw.org.

  • Homepage: https://www.ldraw.org/article/14.html
  • Package(s): ldrawunf.zip (regular updated; EXPERIMENTAL!)
  • Repository/Tracker: https://www.ldraw.org/library/tracker/
  • License: CCAL 2.0

LDraw Other Parts

• Anker bricks — unofficial LDraw compatible library of Anker-Steinbaukasten toy blocks (en. Anchor Stone Blocks).

  • Homepage:
  • Package(s): anker-stones-master.zip
  • Repository/Tracker: https://github.com/mortegro/anker-stones
  • License:

• Big Ben Bricks — unofficial LDraw parts for Big Ben Bricks train wheels (BBB Wheels).

  • Homepage: http://www.bigbenbricks.com/ldraw.html (+ page2, article1)
  • Package(s):
  • Repository/Tracker:
  • License:

• BTD Bearing Axle Parts — «Brick Train Depot»'s bearing assembly LDraw parts for train bogie.

  • Homepage: https://bricktraindepot.com/resources
  • Package(s): BTD-Bearing-Axle-Parts.zip
  • Repository/Tracker:
  • License:

• Heroica

  • Homepage: https://korewanetadesu.com/pages/lego/heroica/parts.html
  • Package(s): heroica-parts.zip
  • Repository/Tracker:
  • License:

• HiTechnic Sensors and Multiplixers

  • Homepage: http://www.hitechnic.com/sensors
  • Package(s): 885-HTLDrawPack1_1.zip
  • Repository/Tracker: https://modernroboticsinc.com/downloads/
  • License:

• Hirst Arts Castlemolds — Hirst Arts blocks that can be used in LDraw related programs.

  • Homepage: https://www.dungeoncrawlers.com/CastleMoldsCad/
  • Package(s): p.zip + parts.zip
  • Repository/Tracker: https://www.dungeoncrawlers.com/CastleMoldsCad/parts.php
  • License:

• Holly-Wood

  • Homepage: http://www.holly-wood.it/ldraw-en.html
  • Package(s): (many)
  • Repository/Tracker: http://www.holly-wood.it/
  • License:

• Hubelino — LDraw compatible parts that are created by Hubelino (useful for creating different Maze Ball Machine).

  • Homepage: http://www.digital-bricks.de/en/index.php?site=hub
  • Package(s): hubelino.zip
  • Repository/Tracker:
  • License:

• L-Gauge

  • Homepage: http://l-gauge.org/wiki/index.php/CAD_Tools (+ post on flickr)
  • Package(s): BricktracksCurvesRev1.0.zip
  • Repository/Tracker: https://github.com/l-gauge/ldraw-lib
  • License: BSD-2-Clause

• m-Bitbeam

  • Homepage: http://www.tfsoft.cz/m-bitbeam
  • Package(s): m-Bitbeam_Parts_for_LDraw-master.zip
  • Repository/Tracker: https://github.com/e-Mole/m-Bitbeam_Parts_for_LDraw (ondratu's fork)
  • License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

• MATRIX

  • Homepage: http://www.hitechnic.com/matrix
  • Package(s): 610-MATRIXLDrawParts_2014_02_22.zip
  • Repository/Tracker: https://modernroboticsinc.com/downloads/
  • License:

• ME Models Track — LDraw parts library which includes the ME Models R56, R72, R88, and R104 curves as well as the half and double length straights.

  • Homepage: http://l-gauge.org/wiki/index.php/CAD_Tools
  • Package(s): ldraw-parts-master.zip (archived on L-Gauge)
  • Repository/Tracker: https://github.com/Duq42/ldraw-parts
  • License:

• Modulex — Modulex® parts.

  • Homepage: http://www.chris-w-dee.co.uk/Modulex/ (+ discussion1, discussion2, article1, article2, article3, article4)
  • Package(s): modulex.zip
  • Repository/Tracker:
  • License:

• PFx — LDraw 3D models of the PFx Brick, speakers, and sub-aasembles.

  • Homepage: http://www.fxbricks.com/resources/page
  • Package(s): pfx-ldraw-models-master.zip, (PFxLDrawRevA.zip)
  • Repository/Tracker: http://github.com/fx-bricks/pfx-ldraw-models
  • License: BSD 2-Clause

• Rotacaster wheels

  • Homepage:
  • Package(s): 726-rotacasterLdraw.zip
  • Repository/Tracker: https://modernroboticsinc.com/downloads/?wpdmc=sample-model-building-instructions-and-ldraw-parts
  • License:

• Shupp's XXL Driver Parts — train wheels designed by EuroBricks user 'Unfinished_projects'.

  • Homepage: https://bricktraindepot.com/resources
  • Package(s): Shupps-XXL-Driver-Parts.zip
  • Repository/Tracker:
  • License:

• Tente — Jasolo's TENTE® parts.

  • Homepage: https://tente3d.fandom.com/es/wiki/Tente_3D_Wiki (EN)
  • Package(s): LDrawTente_Ultima.zip
  • Repository/Tracker: https://github.com/cpcbegin/tentemodels
  • License: GPL 3.0

• VEX IQ — unofficial VEX IQ® parts for SnapCAD.

  • Homepage: http://philohome.com/vex.htm (+ page2, page3, colours, discussion)
  • Package(s): VexLdrawParts.zip, snapcadunoff.zip
  • Repository/Tracker: http://philohome.com/vexldraw/partslist/parts.html
  • License:

• Virtual Minibrix — Minibrix parts.

  • Homepage: https://virtual.minibrix.com/
  • Package(s): VirtualMinibrix_v4-4.exe
  • Repository/Tracker: https://virtual.minibrix.com/news.html
  • License:

Non-LDraw Parts

There are many bricks models created in different file formats.

NOTE: Some of Non-LDraw parts could be converted to LDraw formats using different tools or could be useful for LDraw-tools.

• Anton Raves' Library — Lego Include File Library for POVRay 3.7.

  • Homepage: https://www.virtualbricks.nl/ (+ discussion, article1, article2)
  • Package(s): Test_Library_543_v1.zip
  • Repository/Tracker: https://www.virtualbricks.nl/downloads.php

• Bitbeam — LEGO Technic-compatible system for bulding robots and other contraptions.

  • Homepage: http://bitbeam.org
  • Package(s): bitbeam-master.zip
  • Repository/Tracker: https://github.com/bitbeam/bitbeam
  • License:

• Bitbeam-lib — OpenSCAD library for easy create Bitbeam, m-Bitbeam, LEGO® Technic or Clementoni® compatible parts.

  • Homepage: http://bitbeam.org
  • Package(s): bitbeam-lib-master.zip
  • Repository/Tracker: https://github.com/ondratu/bitbeam-lib
  • License: BSD 3-Clause

• BlueBrick Additional Parts — parts for BlueBrick app for designing LEGO Train layouts.

  • Homepage: http://bluebrick.lswproject.com/ (wiki)
  • Package(s): AllAdditionalParts.zip (TrainPackage.zip+TownPackage.zip+VehiclePackage.zip+SpacePackage.zip+CastlePackage.zip+DuploPackage.zip)
  • Repository/Tracker: https://github.com/Lswbanban/BlueBrickParts (part tracker)
  • License: GPL 3.0

• m-Bitbeam — parts in STL format for 3D print.

  • Homepage: http://www.tfsoft.cz/m-bitbeam (+ wiki)
  • Package(s): m-Bitbeam_Parts_for_3Dprint-master.zip
  • Repository/Tracker: https://github.com/e-Mole/m-Bitbeam_Parts_for_3Dprint (ondratu's fork)
  • License: CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0

• MRI CAD Files — robotix bricks designed by Modern Robotics Inc in STEP-format.

  • Homepage: https://modernroboticsinc.com/downloads/?wpdmc=mri-cad-files
  • Packages: Modern_Robotics_Sensors_CAD.zip, Core_Control_Modules_CAD.zip, Phone_Mount_CAD.zip
  • Repository/Tracker: https://modernroboticsinc.com/downloads/
  • License:

• LEGO.scad — OpenSCAD LEGO®-compatible brick generator.

  • Homepage: http://www.chrisfinke.com/2015/01/27/3d-printed-lego-compatible-bricks/
  • Packages: LEGO.scad-master.zip
  • Repository/Tracker: http://github.com/cfinke/LEGO.scad
  • License: MIT

• LGEO — fan created collection of LEGO® Geometrical Equivalent Objects (parts) to be used with POV-Ray.

  • Homepage: http://www.digitalbricks.org/lgeo.html (+ discussion)
  • Package(s): lgeo-master.zip
  • Repository/Tracker: https://github.com/jncraton/lgeo
  • License:

• openBrick — open-source library of 3D printing snap-together toy building blocks written in OpenSCAD.

  • Homepage:
  • Package(s): openBrick-master.zip
  • Repository/Tracker: https://github.com/cwesson/openBrick
  • License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

• OpenTrack — LEGO®-compatible train track design with larger radius in DWG-format.

  • Homepage: (+ Android app)
  • Packages: OpenTrack-master.zip
  • Repository/Tracker: http://github.com/jofrfu/OpenTrack
  • License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

• PELA Blocks — LEGO®-compatible Parametric 3D Printed Blocks and Gadgets.

  • Homepage: http://pelablocks.org
  • Packages: PELA-parametric-blocks-master.zip
  • Repository/Tracker: https://github.com/LEGO-compatible-gadgets/PELA-parametric-blocks
  • License: CC BY-SA 4.0

• VEX IQ CAD — VEX IQ parts in STEP-format.

  • Homepage: https://www.vexrobotics.com/vexiq/resources (+ dimensions, colours)
  • Packages: VEX-IQ-All-Parts-STEP-20150626.zip
  • Repository/Tracker: https://www.vexrobotics.com/vexiq/resources/cad-snapcad
  • License:

RESOURCES

• Ask anything related to Bricks on Stackexchange! — https://bricks.stackexchange.com/

• digital-bricks' LDraw -> Not in LDraw — parts tracker that compare LDD bricks database with LDraw Parts Libray & provide official LDD bricks (raw 3D models) in LDraw format.

  • Homepage: http://www.digital-bricks.de/en/index.php?site=nil
  • API:
  • Pages: digital-bricks' lxf to ldr konverter (see below)

• LEGO Database Download (Rebrickable) — Parts/Sets/Colors and Inventories of every official LEGO® set available for download as csv files here. These files are automatically generated at the start of each month.

  • Homepage: https://rebrickable.com/downloads/
  • API: https://rebrickable.com/api/

• Philo's LDraw Utilities

  • Homepage: http://philohome.com/
  • Pages: LDraw, MNDSTORMS' & Technic, EV3 / NXT, VEX IQ, Sensors

• J.C. Tchang's website (in French)

  • Homepage: http://jc-tchang.philohome.com/index.htm

SOFTWARE

There are official LDraw software tools and unofficial LDraw-compatible software.

• http://www.ldraw.org/help/getting-started.html
• http://www.ldraw.org/downloads-2/third-party-software.html

LDraw AIOI

LDraw AIOI (LDraw All-In-One-Installer) — quick and easy way to install LDraw Parts Library & common tools on your PC.

• LDraw AIOI for Windows: https://www.ldraw.org/article/104.html
  • Tutorial: http://www.holly-wood.it/ldraw/aioi1-en.html
• LDraw AIOI for Linux: https://github.com/Achyut-BK/LDRaw-AIOI-Linux

Apps for Novice LDraw users

NOTE: All listed apps for novice LDraw users are cross-platform!

• LeoCAD — simple 3D moddeler for creating virtual models using ready to use LDraw parts.

  • Homepage: http://leocad.org
  • Sources: http://github.com/leozide/leocad
  • License: GPL 2.0
  • Plugins: MLCad.ini; POV-Ray + LGEO

• LDView — real-time 3D viewer for displaying LDraw models.

  • Homepage: https://tcobbs.github.io/ldview/
  • Sources: https://github.com/tcobbs/ldview
  • License: GPL 2.0

• Lpub3D — an all-in-one LDraw editor for LEGO® style digital building instructions, based on LeoCAD, LDView and few other software tools.

  • Homepage: https://trevorsandy.github.io/lpub3d/ (+tutorial)
  • Sources: https://github.com/trevorsandy/lpub3d
  • License: GPL 2.0
  • Plugins: MLCad.ini; Blender + Blender LDraw Render; POV-Ray + LGEO

Tools for Advanced LDraw users

Next tools would be useful for creating own LDraw parts (authoring), convert LDraw files, etc.:

• MLCad.ini — minifig parts list for MLCad and LeoCAD minifigure generator.

  • Homepage: http://www.holly-wood.it/mlcad/mlcad_ini-en.html (+ article)
  • Sources: MLCad_ini_2018-03.zip
  • License:

• L²CU — LDraw Linux Command line Utilities.

  • Homepage: https://legolinux.com/ldraw-on-linux/
  • Sources: https://github.com/nathaneltitane/ldraw/
  • License:

• MPDCenter — tool for maintain and check MPD files for OMR conformity.

  • Homepage: http://ldraw.heidemann.org/index.php?page=mpdcenter (+ article)
  • Sources: https://ldraw.heidemann.org/uploads/mpdcenter/mpdcenter.zip
  • License:

• LSynth — is a program that synthesizes bendable parts for LDraw files.

  • Homepage: https://deeice.github.io/lsynth/ (+ tutorial, troubleshooting, examples)
  • Sources: https://github.com/deeice/lsynth
  • License:

• pyldraw — Python Package that provides facilities to allow users to create LDraw scene descriptions using the Python programming language.

  • Homepage: https://pypi.org/project/pyldraw/
  • Sources: https://github.com/rienafairefr/python-ldraw (mirror)
  • License: GPL 2.0

• LDDesignPad — powerful text editor for editing LDraw files.

  • Homepage: http://lddp.sourceforge.net
  • Sources: http://sourceforge.net/projects/lddp (GitHub mirror
  • License: GPL 2.0

• LDBoxer — utility to help you replace parts with no visible studs or tubes with boxes.

  • Homepage:
  • Sources: http://github.com/Jeremy1980/LDBoxer
  • License: GPL 3.0

• L3P — command-line tool used for converting LDraw models into POV-Ray-compatible files for rendering.

  • Homepage: http://hassings.dk/l3/l3p.html
  • Sources: http://hassings.dk/l3/download.html
  • License:

• LeoCombiner — A small Python-script to combine multiple .ldr (LeoCAD/LDraw) files into one .mpd file.

  • Homepage:
  • Sources: https://gitlab.com/Konachan/leocombiner
  • License: MIT

• buildinginstructions.js — JavaScript-render of LEGO® building instructions in the browser using three.js and LDraw Parts Library.

  • Homepage: https://brickhub.org/
  • Sources: https://github.com/LasseD/buildinginstructions.js
  • License: Public Domain

• PatternFolder — JavaScript-tool for fold LDraw patterns onto parts like applying stickers to LEGO® models.

  • Homepage: c-mt.dk/software/pf (+tutorial on YouTube
  • Sources: https://github.com/LasseD/PatternFolder
  • License: Unlicense

• svg2ldraw — JavaScript-converter for SVG vector image to LDraw patterns for prints and stickers .

  • Homepage: https://c-mt.dk/software/svg2ldraw/
  • Sources: https://github.com/LasseD/svg2ldraw
  • License: Unlicense

• stl2dat-cp — cross platform STL (Mesh) to DAT (LDraw part) converter, forked from stl2dat.

  • Homepage: http://marc.klein.free.fr/lego/stl2dat/stl2dat.html
  • Sources: https://github.com/ondratu/stl2dat-cp (original stl2dat)
  • License: CC BY-SA 3.0

• txt2dat — tool for creating text-based patterns for LDraw parts.

  • Homepage: http://www.br-eng.info/my-lego-roscomenu-29/my-ldraw-roscomenu-45/50-txt2dat (+ arhived, article1, wiki, discussion)
  • Sources:
  • License: GPL 2.0

• ldraw2stl (dat2stl) — Convert LEGO LDraw files into STL.

  • Homepage:
  • Sources: https://github.com/kristov/ldraw2stl
  • License:

• lxf2ldr — tool for converting LEGO Digital Designer files (.lxf) to LDraw format.

  • Homepage: https://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?/forums/topic/150480-announcing-lxf2ldr/
  • Sources: https://gitlab.com/sylvainls/lxf2ldr
  • License: GPL 3.0+
  • Addons: ldraw.xml (+discussion), ldraw.html (+discussion)

• digital-bricks' lxf to ldr konverter — converter that transferes model files from the Lego Digital Designer (LDD) to the open LDraw standard.

  • Homepage: http://www.digital-bricks.de/en/index.php
  • Pages: Converter, Overview, Download, How-To

• <brick-viewer> - An HTML custom element for displaying mpds.

  • Homepage:
  • Sources: https://github.com/PolymerLabs/brick-viewer
  • License: BSD-3-Clause

Other Software

• Blender — 3D polygonal editor & render engine.

  • Homepage: http://blender.org
  • Sources: https://git.blender.org
  • License: GPL 3.0
  • Addons: Blender LDraw Render (LPub3D render submodule; based on ImportLDraw); LDR-Importer

• BlueBrick — app for designing LEGO Train layouts. It has an LDraw input and output mode, and can produce either .ldr or .mpd files. But since BlueBrick does not directly use the LDraw Parts Library.

  • Homepage: http://bluebrick.lswproject.com/ (wiki)
  • Sources: https://github.com/Lswbanban/BlueBrick (contributing)
  • Repository/Tracker: http://bluebrick.lswproject.com/download.html
  • License: GPL 3.0
  • Addons: BlueBrick Additional Parts (see above)

• Cinema4D (C4D) — commercial 3D modeling, animation, motion graphics and rendering application.

  • Homepage: https://maxon.net/products/cinema-4d.html
  • Sources:
  • License: Proprietary
  • Addons: LDR2C4D, LDD2C4D

• Lego Digital Designer (LDD) — official freeware LEGO® virtual model editor (development deprecated).

  • Homepage: http://www.lego.com/en-us/ldd
  • Sources:
  • License: Proprietary
  • Addons: lxf2ldr (see above), Lego Digital Designer related scripts

• lego_instructions — Lego instructions download assistant (Python3 scripts for download PDF instructions).

  • Homepage: https://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?/forums/topic/173364-lego-instructions-download-assistant-python3/
  • Sources: https://github.com/Jellofishi/lego_instructions
  • License: GPL 3.0

• MeshLab — an open source system for processing and editing 3D triangular meshes.

  • Homepage: https://www.meshlab.net/
  • Sources: https://github.com/cnr-isti-vclab/meshlab
  • License: GPL 3.0
  • Tutorials: http://meshlabstuff.blogspot.com/2009/04/how-to-remove-internal-faces-with.html
  • Addons: https://github.com/cnr-isti-vclab/PyMeshLab

• Modo (MODO, modo) — polygon and subdivision surface modeling, sculpting, 3D painting, animation and rendering software.

  • Homepage: http://www.foundry.com/products/modo
  • Sources:
  • License: Proprietary
  • Addons: fmtldr (details)

• OpenSDraw - a CAD program similar to OpenSCAD but for LEGO® (a programming language and some related utilities for creating LDraw format files).

  • Homepage: http://www.openscad.org (+docs)
  • Sources: https://github.com/HazenBabcock/opensdraw (mirror fork)
  • License: MIT

• OpenSCAD — programmers solid 3D CAD modeller.

  • Homepage: http://www.openscad.org
  • Sources: https://github.com/openscad/openscad
  • License: GPL 2.0
  • Addons: Bitbeam (see above), Bitbeam-lib (see above), LEGO.scad (see above), openBrick (see above), PELA Blocks (see above)

• POV-Ray — render engine useful for create realistic images from 3D models (compatible with LeoCAD, LPub3D, Blender).

  • Homepage: http://www.povray.org (+guide for render LDraw)
  • Sources: https://github.com/POV-Ray/povray
  • License: AGPL 3.0
  • Addons: LGEO (see above), Anton Raves' Library (see above), LightsysVI (lightsys4c.zip)

• SolveSpace — simple to use parametric 2D/3D CAD & CAE.

  • Homepage: http://solvespace.com
  • Sources: http://github.com/solvespace/solvespace
  • License: GPL 3.0

• Unity — commercial cross-platform game engine and development toolkit.

  • Homepage: https://unity.com
  • Sources:
  • License: Proprietary
  • Addons: LDraw_Importer_Unity

«Micropolis» Standard

«Micropolis» — standard to allow individual LEGO® & LDraw builders to build modules to add to a micro scale city in a group build. On August 17, 2008 Max Braun brought what would be the very first Micropolis module to a «TwinLUG» meeting.

• Homepage: http://twinlug.com/micropolis-micro-city-standard/
• Package(s):
• Repository/Tracker:
• License:

«Micropolis» discussions & resources:

• https://github.com/Symbian9/Micropolis-Standard-LDraw
• http://www.virtualmicropolis.org

Project «Datsville»

«Datsville» — is LEGO®-inspired city started in 1999 by users of «LUGNET» using LDraw parts and tools. The goal of this project is to re-license models using modern, open license, as well as actively manage old and new model submissions.

• Homepage: https://mjhorvath.github.io/Datsville/ (historical homepage)
• Package(s):
• Repository/Tracker: https://github.com/mjhorvath/Datsville (SourceForce)
• License: CC BY-SA 3.0 (for content) ; LGPL 2.0(for code)
• Addons: https://github.com/mjhorvath/Datsville-RPG

«Datsville» discussions & resources:

• http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?/forums/topic/60031-datsville-community-ldraw-project/
• http://forums.ldraw.org/thread-11441.html
• http://lego.sparre-andersen.dk/Byggevejledninger/

TUTORIALS

• http://www.ldraw.org/article/58.html
  • http://www.ldraw.org/article/58.html#modeling
  • http://www.ldraw.org/article/58.html#rendering
  • http://www.ldraw.org/article/58.html#building_instuctions
  • http://www.ldraw.org/article/58.html#parts_authoring
• https://wiki.ldraw.org/wiki/Tutorials
• http://www.ldraw.org/omr_compliance
• http://www.texbrick.com/articles/index.html
• http://www.bigbenbricks.com/applications.html
• https://bricks.stackexchange.com/questions/9089/how-to-import-rebrickable-com-parts-lists-to-ldraw

REFERENCES

NOTE: Reference links unsorted! Some links could be broken!

Reference links listed on AWESOME-LDraw wiki