Help - which LEGO CAD software is best for Technic?

[nerdsforprez]

Hello All,

First time poster to this specific area, longtime poster to the Technic genre.....

Forgive me if there is already a post that answers my question, but I could not find one. I have never created anything in Lego with software. Always preferred to just work with the tangible blocks. However, now wondering if I am missing something and that Ldraw or LDD can help add something to my builds. Problem is, there appear to be so many programs out there.... which is the best? Which is the standard? What are the pros and cons of each system. I work primarily in Technic parts, so I don't know if one program is better than others for this genre. Is there a thread that describes all this stuff to beginners like myself? I also know there are other programs out there....just not sure which are the best. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[___]

Shortly: probably two most significant SW are:

* LDRAW: all the bricks LEGO ever build (user editable) and all kinds of brick connections without restrictions, but learning curve is somewhat longer and not so easy on building as LDD

* LDD (this one is original LEGO product): smaller brick inventory + not all brick connections that are possible in real life LEGO are possible in LDD, but extremely easy learning curve like you can build right away after install without any special technique compared to LDRAW

Edited March 25, 2015 by bublible

[Philo]

To make things clear - LDraw is NOT a software but a library of parts that can be used with many editors. Among them, SR3D builder or LDCad are pretty easy to use (OK, I may be biased!) and well suited for Technic. They avoid the endless frustration of LDD with "parts-that-should-assemble-together-but-do-not". See more details here.

[___]

To make things clear - LDraw is NOT a software but a library of parts that can be used with many editors. Among them, SR3D builder or LDCad are pretty easy to use (OK, I may be biased!) and well suited for Technic. They avoid the endless frustration of LDD with "parts-that-should-assemble-together-but-do-not". See more details here.

Sorry - of course, that is the exact answer

[Daphatty]

I've found basic tasks in LDD to be tedious to learn without lots of reading and research. I stumbled upon the Workshop feature on Mecabricks.com and was able to quickly pick it up without the need to keep google open. Mecabricks is still a work in progress but the author is actively updating it. If nothing else, Mecabricks will give you a good intro into virtual Lego builds. It is also web based so you don't need to install anything on your computer. All you need is a browser that supports WebGL (i.e. Google Chrome).

[Walter Kovacs]

I can't comment on which software is best. It comes down to personal preference. That, and I've only really tried two of them (MLCad and LDCad)

Given that, I will comment on MLCad. I've been using it for about 8 years now, so I am very comfortable with the interface. MLCad does have a significant learning curve. There are things I know how to do now that I couldn't fathom doing 8 years ago.

One of the other reasons I stick with MLCad as opposed to LDD is the parts selection. If LEGO has produced it, then you can use it in MLCad. LDD is limited to recent parts (I would say only parts currently in production, but if I'm not mistaken, Universe mode opens up some other options). This is a good thing and a bad thing. LDD will restrict you to what is available, so you will know that your MOC can be built. MLCad will happily let you put in a part that isn't in the color you want it in, or is so rare that it is ungodly expensive.

Though I don't use it, I seem to remember SR3 is very good for Technic virtual builds.

[Superkalle]

I updated the topic title to something more descriptive. Just "Help" doesn't explain that much.

[__________________________]

In my opinion, LDD is better, unless you're making big models, or using rare parts. (MLCad and SR3D are harder to use and are the best only if you are designing the model from start to finish digitally, in my opinion.)

[widetent]

I love and recommend SR3D especially for Technic.

It's animation function is really fantastic and led me to lego CAD world.

Even SR3D will hardly be updated, it's assembling function itself is still enough to be recommended in my opinion.

But the most important part is in which interface and commands of any CAD tools you will get a good feeling at the beginning.

Recently I try LDcad and get some interest to it's function.

If you are a newbie for lego CAD, I recommend SR3D or LDcad rather than LDD.

Thanks for reading.

Oscar

Edited March 30, 2015 by widetent