[Software] LDD Manager

[Superkalle]

I have to check this up....hold on....

[Superkalle]

OK, now I remember. There was a small bug-fix update to the brickset in LDD between 1007 and 1033. But since there wasn't any new bricks, I didn't release and update to LDD Manager. So there is no problem - you can use the current version of LDD Manager and just disregard the message. However, I will prepare an update anyway, to get the latest data from BrickLink into the system. But it will probably be a couple of weeks.

[___]

OK, nevermind - thanx, will wait ;-)

[malloon]

@Superkalle I've started a project to allow people to upload an lxf file to a site and have it generate a BL wanted list, but I'm running into complications mapping LDD's designID with BL's Item No (LDD 50746 to BL 54200 for example) not to mention decorations and assemblies.

I gather you have a fairly solid handle on how this works, I thought I might seek your input.

Edited June 14, 2013 by malloon

[Gnac]

I'm running into complications mapping LDD's designID with BL's Item No (LDD 50746 to BL 54200 for example) not to mention decorations and assemblies.

Just wait until you have to deal with multi-coloured parts and mould variations too - transposing things for Bricklink is a nightmare. I gave up doing exactly the same thing you are doing, because it's not worth the time spent when Superkalle is much further along than I'll ever get.

Edited June 14, 2013 by Gnac

[Superkalle]

I gather you have a fairly solid handle on how this works, I thought I might seek your input.

What kind of input were you looking for? And what is the website going to be used for?

In general though I could mention a few things to consider:

Pre-conversion: Users need to be able to check if the bricks are available in that color. Just allowing people to convert a LXF is not much idea if all they get are "red" warnings during BL import, and they don't now which color the brick needs to be changed to import correctly.

Then there is the conversion itself. There are many traps.

a) One Brick ID in LDD can correspond to several in BL. This is very problematic when also considering colors and I had to device a special lookup function in LDD Manager to deal with this.

b) One BL ID can correspond to several bricks in LDD. This is not such a big problem though from a mapping table perspective (but could be worse for the builder who may rely on a features that can be seen in LDD but has gone unnoticed by BL catalog admins).

c) Assemblies and Decorations mapping (which you mention). These require separate mapping tables.

Then there is off course the main "core", i.e. the work of mapping between LDD and BL. The most problematic here is not the one-time job of doing the complete mapping, but the maintenance. Both to keep track of bricks added when LDD is updated, and changes at BL. This is were most of the time goes for me. I spend probably an hour every week doing this, both manually and through scripts. This is particularly tricky in relation to a) and b) above.

And to add to this, there is off course the color mapping, which is a chapter in itself. The mapping at Peeron that most people use as a reference is unfortunately not 100% accurate, so a lot of hours were spent to make an improved mapping for LDD Manager.

[malloon]

Just wait until you have to deal with multi-coloured parts and mould variations too - transposing things for Bricklink is a nightmare. I gave up doing exactly the same thing you are doing, because it's not worth the time spent when Superkalle is much further along than I'll ever get.

Multi-coloured what now? I can't for the life of me think of an example, I have to assume those are not single pieces of ABS.

Oddly enough, it's because transposing to Bricklink is such a nightmare that I started this project. It's so frustrating to spend and hour building something in LDD only to spend another 4 or 5 hours trying to part it out. This initially started off as a script for my own benefit, then I thought that I could probably make a page of this so that others might benefit from it too.

Sadly I've never run LDD Manager because I don't have a Windows machine.

[malloon]

@Superkalle If all goes well I should have a basic prototype pieced together in the next few days, hopefully that will give you an idea of what it is I am hoping to do. But simply put, I'm attempting to build a page that allows an anonymous user to upload a LXF, or LXFML file and get a Wanted List XML file in return.

Most of the problems you mentioned I have considered, but I haven't devised a good working solution for any of them just yet. As for the maintenance, I should be able to automate most of it, except for possibly the updates to LDD.

Maybe I'll just focus on these four questions for now:

1. Is the peeron color list actively maintained?
   
2. The Bricklink Part and Color Code download contains nearly 22,000 parts. Is this a complete list of parts available in their database?
   
3. Do you know of a simple way to obtain alternate item numbers from Bricklink in bulk? I'd rather not resort to scraping their entire site.
   
4. I have downloaded LDD manager but as I am on a Mac I can't run it. Is the mdb file something that anybody could open if they had MS Access?
   

And finally, I fear I may be at risk of hijacking this thread. Would this topic be better suited elsewhere?

Thanks for the insight.

Edited June 15, 2013 by malloon

[Superkalle]

This initially started off as a script for my own benefit, then I thought that I could probably make a page of this so that others might benefit from it too.

That's how LDD Manager started too

Sadly I've never run LDD Manager because I don't have a Windows machine.

You can install a Windows emulator. I'm not an expert, but I don't think it's much work.

About the questions:

1) The peeron list is most likely not actively maintained, but I don't know. Most importantly it's the LDD > BL color that is most important, and that is most likely not updated. So mapping TLG colors is not completely relevant, since not all relevant TLG colors are available from the palette in LDD

2) No

3) Maybe

4) No, the MDB-file is compiled and protected and cannot be opened.

As for starting an own topic, yes, I think that's a good idea. Just create one and you can use that a "collection" topic for your web tool.

[Aanchir]

Multi-coloured what now? I can't for the life of me think of an example, I have to assume those are not single pieces of ABS.

Multi-colored parts are especially common in themes like BIONICLE, but there are several examples of multi-colored parts in LEGO System. One of the earlier System examples I know if is Fawkes the phoenix from the 2002 LEGO Harry Potter sets, who was a blend of red and orange plastic. The technical term for parts with this quality is "co-injected" — that is to say, there are two injection points in the mold for injecting two different colors, and the colors blend together in the middle for a marbled look.

More recent multi-colored parts include the dragon wings that have been used in LEGO Castle since their introduction in the Vikings sets of 2006, the parrots in the 2009 Pirates theme (which are indeed single pieces of ABS made with both red and green plastic), various BURPs, the two-tone flame pieces and lightning pieces, and the rubber-tipped spears in the Collectible Minifigures. Last year's Hero Factory sets introduced a brand-new innovation, a lightning weapon piece molded from three separate colors (Bright Yellow, Transparent Light Blue, and Titanium Metallic). Most recently, co-injected parts have been used for the "evil brains" in this year's Hero Factory villain sets, the sword blades in this year's Ninjago sets, and the sphere used for the Palantir in the Lord of the Rings Tower of Orthanc.

Co-injected parts are listed in TLG's parts database with the color name "Multicombination", though this name is also used for several parts pre-assembled from separately-molded sections.

Prior to the introduction of co-injection molds, marbled or "flame-colored" parts did still exist, but these were usually an unintended consequence of a mold being changed over from molding one color of part to molding another color of the part without the vats of plastic being cleaned out in between. I hear they were fairly rare and highly sought-after by collectors, much like misprint trading cards. But this is more or less hearsay because I only found out about this phenomenon by reading about it after-the-fact.

Edited June 16, 2013 by Aanchir

[DawnTreader]

Well, then I can confirm it also works in Office 2013 Professional

Actually I have had a bug that is plaguing me in Access 2013 with LDD Manager 113. Every time I click on the check for opening the brick thumbnails I get an ODBC dialog box. no matter what I do at that point, selecting something or canceling it, I get a thumbnail form that shows a blob of dotted grey. when I close the form I get a error dialog.

At first I thought it was my computer but after opening an older editable version I found the same problem and corrected it. Has anyone else had the same problem with the thumbnail form?

Additionally you don't want to even try opening this with Access 2013 64bit. There is no hope for compatibility there.

Is there another version of LDD Manager due anytime soonish?

[legolijntje]

Actually I have had a bug that is plaguing me in Access 2013 with LDD Manager 113. Every time I click on the check for opening the brick thumbnails I get an ODBC dialog box. no matter what I do at that point, selecting something or canceling it, I get a thumbnail form that shows a blob of dotted grey. when I close the form I get a error dialog.

At first I thought it was my computer but after opening an older editable version I found the same problem and corrected it. Has anyone else had the same problem with the thumbnail form?

Additionally you don't want to even try opening this with Access 2013 64bit. There is no hope for compatibility there.

Is there another version of LDD Manager due anytime soonish?

I don't know about your thumbnail problem, but I do want to say that the 64bit problem is a known problem. It has nothing to do with Acces alone, but witht the whole 64bit Office. The compatibility problem is also in 2007 and 2010. Even Microsoft knows about it. In fact, they even recommend to use the 32 bit office, unless you use Excel files bigger than 2GB...

Anyway, I will try to do what you did (I have Office 2013 too) to see what happens here with the thumbnails...

[Superkalle]

Actually I have had a bug that is plaguing me in Access 2013 with LDD Manager 113. Every time I click on the check for opening the brick thumbnails I get an ODBC dialog box. no matter what I do at that point, selecting something or canceling it, I get a thumbnail form that shows a blob of dotted grey. when I close the form I get a error dialog.

Odd, but I haven't tried LDD Manager with 2013 myself. Let's see what legolijntjes finds out

Additionally you don't want to even try opening this with Access 2013 64bit. There is no hope for compatibility there.

Not at the moment. I'll see if I can compile a 64 bit version for the future.

Is there another version of LDD Manager due anytime soonish?

Yes, but it will mostly be a maintenance release to update the brick data.

I will however try to fix so that color 315 and 316 will be mapped also.

[DawnTreader]

Odd, but I haven't tried LDD Manager with 2013 myself. Let's see what legolijntjes finds out

I know the exact reason that the problem exists Superkalle. I can send you code to fix it. We have emailed a bit before you and I, you might remember my question about source code and working a bit together on a few ideas that I had.

While I was trying to fix the problem I also decided that my best route would be to use LDD Manager 1.10, because I was able to get into the code and decode it, to create my features and then send you a copy in hopes that you would be able to include those features for everyone else.

As I poked around to try and fix the OBDC problem I noticed that there were some redundant bits of code and things that might be made more efficient by looping or reorganizing it a bit. I am by no means an expert in Access, but I have been building Databases and reporting systems for around 7 years for my current employer, along side what my normal duties require.

If you would like I can send you by email the code that I found which caused me the problem and which was carrying some redundant bits, as well as the solution.

Not at the moment. I'll see if I can compile a 64 bit version for the future.

Don't bother. Until more people are using 64bit then 32 and until there is more reasons to, there is no reason to do this. I was working to update to 64Bit compatibility and every step of the way there was something that broke. It might be more logical to start fresh and make a 64bit verison from the ground up, at least as far as the VBA code is concerned, but again there is no real useful reason other than size and that it is the latest greatest tech.

Yes, but it will mostly be a maintenance release to update the brick data.

I will however try to fix so that color 315 and 316 will be mapped also.

When? If it is a few days then I wouldnt be in time with the features I was Hoping to send you. If you don't know then I will keep plugging away.

Edited June 17, 2013 by DawnTreader

[Superkalle]

I know the exact reason that the problem exists Superkalle. I can send you code to fix it. We have emailed a bit before you and I, you might remember my question about source code and working a bit together on a few ideas that I had.

If you would like I can send you by email the code that I found which caused me the problem and which was carrying some redundant bits, as well as the solution.

Hi

Yeah, I remember. good to hear from you

And yes, do please send me the code. I'd love to see it.

[Superkalle]

New version of LDD Manager out now, version 1.20.

News:

• Added support for LDD 4.3.6, brickset 1128
  
• Updated all BrickLink brick data as per July 2013
  
• Added new “Spread out” feature to generate LXF to get visual overview of parts in a model.
  
• Updated so that it’s now possible to use the LDD Palette colors 315 and 316
  

[The Real Indiana Jones]

Dynamite!! =D

As soon as I finish adding to all of my models, I will start exploring this. Basically, for starters, I just need to give my images that sleekly-rendered super-translucent look that everyone else on Cuusoo has...

Thanks a billion!! =D

Edited July 17, 2013 by The Real Indiana Jones

[DawnTreader]

So...

SuperK...

Since there is another update to the parts, should I send you the DB I have? It is mostly working the way I wanted... but there are something's that I have been banging my head over trying to fix. The image overlay system is somewhat broken in the DB I am still trying to fix up to send you. I had wanted the Picture to appear on the main form rather than a popup and I have been unable to get it to work.

Or should I just cut out the parts that I really think you should add, like loading a folder full of LXF files into the database, and send those?

[Superkalle]

Yeah, you are right - with a new part batch, I'm looking to updated LDD Manager. So please send me the things you got. Contact me with e-mail or PM and we can workout a way to transfer the data. Looking forward to see what you've done.

[dsoffers]

First of all, thanks for this amazing program.. It works great. :)

I'm having a bit of trouble importing the list to BL though. I created a model in LDD consisting of 2466 parts. Your LDD Manager also says it consists of 2466 parts. However, when I export it to XML to import in BrickLink, I end up with a list consisting of 2457 parts. The 113 unique bricks did go through correctly, so there must be an amount 'off' somewhere. I'll go recheck them 1 by 1 in the meantime. Hopefully you can help me trying to figure out the problem. :)

And while you're probably already aware of this: when importing a model LDD manager reports that the BrickSetVersion is the wrong number. I'm using the latest version of LDD, downloaded about a week ago. BrickSetVersion is 1182, LDD Manager expects 1128.

[Calabar]

@dsoffers

You could compare the list imported in BL with the BOM generated with LDD instructions. Detect the difference in the quantities should not stole you much time.

PS: If you can share the lxf file with him, that could help Superkalle to detect the problem.

[dsoffers]

Thanks for the tip but I sorted it out in the meantime..

I used the parts list generated by LDD and looked them up 1 by 1 on Bricklink. It turns out the unique brick count was off and the following 4 bricks got left out when exporting to BL:

P/N 3069bpc1: Light Bluish Gray Tile 1 x 2 with Red 82, Yellow and White Gauges Pattern

P/N 3069bpx19: Light Bluish Gray Tile 1 x 2 with Vehicle Control Panel Pattern

(LDD) P/N 3068: should be a Tile 2 x 2 with Windows in Computer Screen Pattern (but I can't find that at all on BL so I don't blame LDD Manager for that one. )

P/N 4150ps4: Light Bluish Gray Tile, Round 2 x 2 with Grille Fine Mesh Pattern

I had one other minor issue with LDD Manager but that's not Superkalle's fault. It's a Microsoft issue. I had Office 2010 64-bit installed and LDD Manager was designed in a 32 bit version of Office so it refused to run. And I couldn't install the 32 bit Access runtime as long as I had 64 bit Office apps installed. I eventually decided to remove Office altogether and just install the runtime to get it to work. Again, not Superkalle's fault but I figured I'd share it in case anyone else is having this problem..

[Superkalle]

Thanks for the tip but I sorted it out in the meantime..

I used the parts list generated by LDD and looked them up 1 by 1 on Bricklink. It turns out the unique brick count was off and the following 4 bricks got left out when exporting to BL:

P/N 3069bpc1: Light Bluish Gray Tile 1 x 2 with Red 82, Yellow and White Gauges Pattern

P/N 3069bpx19: Light Bluish Gray Tile 1 x 2 with Vehicle Control Panel Pattern

(LDD) P/N 3068: should be a Tile 2 x 2 with Windows in Computer Screen Pattern (but I can't find that at all on BL so I don't blame LDD Manager for that one. )

P/N 4150ps4: Light Bluish Gray Tile, Round 2 x 2 with Grille Fine Mesh Pattern

I had one other minor issue with LDD Manager but that's not Superkalle's fault. It's a Microsoft issue. I had Office 2010 64-bit installed and LDD Manager was designed in a 32 bit version of Office so it refused to run. And I couldn't install the 32 bit Access runtime as long as I had 64 bit Office apps installed. I eventually decided to remove Office altogether and just install the runtime to get it to work. Again, not Superkalle's fault but I figured I'd share it in case anyone else is having this problem..

Yeah, with decorations LDD Manager is a bit picky. You have to apply the decorations exactly like in the real brick (dual sided minifig heads need decoration on both sides etc). Also, since Item-ID's change at BL all the time, there are occasions when you try to upload something made in LDD Manager, and it doesn't match the BL part numbers anymore. That's the reasons I release updated versions all the time. As a matter of fact, there is a new one out in a few weeks with all fresh data.

About Office 64, I can definitely understand your annoyment. I can't remember how many articles I've read that recommend people to go for Office 32. I think MS did a mistake by even offering 64 bit, specially when you can't install 32 and 64 bit side by side, and also that you can't open a 32-bit access file on 64 (when 99% of all Access apps around the world are made in 32-bit).

[dsoffers]

Like I said before, I don't blame you at all for the Office issue. I've never had problems with it before and I honestly have absolutely no need to run a 64 bit version of Office but as I'm also on a 64 bit version of Windows I figured it would be better to keep it all the same.. I hardly use Office though, prefer the iWork suite on my Mac for the limited stuff I do with it, so uninstalling was not a problem for me. (I must admit though, it was a disappointment to find out I had to uninstall it completely because they would not work side by side. It shouldn't be a problem to run the 32-bit Access runtime and still keep the 64 bit Word/Excel apps, imo.)

Thanks for replying and good luck with the new version..

[Whiteagle]

That's the reasons I release updated versions all the time. As a matter of fact, there is a new one out in a few weeks with all fresh data.

...You might need to update AGAIN Superkalle, a new version of LDD just came out...