LDD 5, what features do YOU want?

[JM1971]

They could fix the shock absorber that cant be used after the last update.

[___]

A classic quad view (top, front, side, perspective) and switching them to full-screen and most important: higher poly models and textures and an option to turn on 3D LEGO logos on studs.

D.E.F.I.N.I.T.E.L.Y, agree

Wavefront OBJ exporter. LeoCad doesn't support enough pieces to be useful for exporting models as OBJ.

Yes, I'm second that ;)

Edited May 15, 2014 by bublible

[___]

add automatic seam effect to every brick...definitely, please

[Renderbricks]

add automatic seam effect to every brick...definitely, please

The main problem I see here is that LDD isn't made for this. In theory the CAD data measure gives you perfectly fitting meshes what we see in LDD or LDRAW. In reality the seams are a result by how you stick the bricks together, slightly random rotations and positions and bevel edges. And of course the production limits and tolerances of the plastic material. To create seams would mean that LEGO has to shrink the geometry via object normals and I don't think they add an algorythm like this. Because there's no reason to do this for the task to create models. In this case simple outlines or a bump effect would be enough. I guess this is what you are talking about to recognize all different pieces of e.g. a wall of bricks?

Edited May 22, 2014 by virtualrepublic

[___]

The main problem I see here is that LDD isn't made for this. In theory the CAD data measure gives you perfectly fitting meshes what we see in LDD or LDRAW. In reality the seams are a result by how you stick the bricks together, slightly random rotations and positions and bevel edges. And of course the production limits and tolerances of the plastic material. To create seams would mean that LEGO has to shrink the geometry via object normals and I don't think they add an algorythm like this. Because there's no reason to do this for the task to create models. In this case simple outlines or a bump effect would be enough. I guess this is what you are talking about to recognize all different pieces of e.g. a wall of bricks?

Right, that is what I'm talking about...but actually adding it as "tickable" option in preferences would do it + also I do not understand why would it be that of a problem? Then why we are asking for things at all if this should be a problem? Kind of a simple internal scripted bevel would do it for LDD (hope you understand what I mean because my english is not so good)

[Renderbricks]

Right, that is what I'm talking about...but actually adding it as "tickable" option in preferences would do it + also I do not understand why would it be that of a problem? Then why we are asking for things at all if this should be a problem? Kind of a simple internal scripted bevel would do it for LDD (hope you understand what I mean because my english is not so good)

I don't think it's a problem in general. LDD is a free product for the masses and I guess LEGO will keep it simple. Hopefully not.

The question is: will read LEGO this thread? *:-P

[___]

The question is: will read LEGO this thread? *:-P

I guess we all know the answer...

[Bob De Quatre]

The question is: will read LEGO this thread? *:-P

*interresting* features might get to the ears of the developpers

When I want to change the decoration on a torso, it's very difficult to see the decorations in the selection box... it would be nice to be able to adjust a zoom level off the selection box.

[clee19892]

Give me real physics in the program, I don't mean dropping stuff or flinging stuff. Just that if lego pieces go together in real life it should go together in the program. Also I'd love a ton more minifig decals, even if there are so many there are sub-sections for individual themes.

[Zerobricks]

Give me real physics in the program, I don't mean dropping stuff or flinging stuff. Just that if lego pieces go together in real life it should go together in the program. Also I'd love a ton more minifig decals, even if there are so many there are sub-sections for individual themes.

Real kynematics. Maybe even inverse kynematics so you can grab a model's flexible part and move it around...example given suspension parts, gears, bionicle, figures...LDD does partially support this due to its havoc's engine, but its only available in hinge align tool.

Or make another advanced mode where you turn on/off these features and collisions, show/hide options like ground textures, chnage brick color to any RGB combo, etc...

[o0ger]

How about stickers? :) I would like to see TLG add every sticker from every set since 2007 or something like that.

[MikroMan]

How about the ability to open multiple files? Kinda like tabbed mode or something. I'd take even the capability to run multiple instances of LDD for more models. It gets really annoying when I'm building a large digital MOC and I don't have an easy way to switch between multiple files when designing a sub-part of my MOC (wall sections, pillars, vehicles.).

[Zerobricks]

How about the ability to open multiple files? Kinda like tabbed mode or something. I'd take even the capability to run multiple instances of LDD for more models. It gets really annoying when I'm building a large digital MOC and I don't have an easy way to switch between multiple files when designing a sub-part of my MOC (wall sections, pillars, vehicles.).

Multiple instances yeah... I played around with multiple LDD instances, but the current version doesnt support that.

[Shroud]

I don't think it's a problem in general. LDD is a free product for the masses and I guess LEGO will keep it simple. Hopefully not.

The question is: will read LEGO this thread? *:-P

Well they started out keeping it simple as it was aimed at kids so they could build their project online and purchase it in real life. If it was too complicated they thought it would never take off. Well then someone found a way to modify LDD and use all the pieces(awesome job I was around then) and that's when it really took off. Its now a quality 3D design Lego program used by more adults that have been begging TLG to add more functionality. Its not just for kids anymore so if you want it simple TLG just add a "simple" mode or "advanced mode". Easy done.

1. Mirror mode for a selection

2. For the love of god make it stable enough for massive projects as my capital ship has been on hold until it does. Even modular pieces make it crash.

Love it just the same.

[Zerobricks]

Well they started out keeping it simple as it was aimed at kids so they could build their project online and purchase it in real life. If it was too complicated they thought it would never take off. Well then someone found a way to modify LDD and use all the pieces(awesome job I was around then) and that's when it really took off. Its now a quality 3D design Lego program used by more adults that have been begging TLG to add more functionality. Its not just for kids anymore so if you want it simple TLG just add a "simple" mode or "advanced mode". Easy done.

1. Mirror mode for a selection

2. For the love of god make it stable enough for massive projects as my capital ship has been on hold until it does. Even modular pieces make it crash.

Love it just the same.

I think mirror mode was already discussed and its very hard to implement for more complex stuff. Stability-wise I think multiple CPU thread support would help a lot, because ATM LDD doesnt support multiple threads. Also some GPU-relying calculations would take off burden of the CPU IMO.

[grum64]

I'd like to see something that I know in all probability will never happen and that's 'illegal' building techniques being allowed as with LDraw. It'd be a great help to those of us who find mastering LDraw very difficult.

[Zerobricks]

I'd like to see something that I know in all probability will never happen and that's 'illegal' building techniques being allowed as with LDraw. It'd be a great help to those of us who find mastering LDraw very difficult.

Maybe like an option in advanced mode?

[grum64]

Maybe like an option in advanced mode?

I think that'd be a great idea.

As far as I'm aware, and I welcome correction if I've got it wrong, the techniques Lego consider 'illegal' are those that place some sort of stress on the pieces being used.

I'm very new to advanced (to me) studded building, in fact the Cobra's my first, but even I know there are building techniques not allowed in LDD that in reality place no stress on any of the pieces being used.

Come on Lego, how about giving us a little more freedom.

[Shroud]

Multiple threads and definitely GPU support would be amazing! I know the reason why they don't focus on this is because they would have to pay a team to do it rather than on the side like it is now (you guys rock and I hope you read this). It doesn't generate income for TLG and as a business they wont dedicate time to something that is not an asset. Having said that I would be happy to purchase, yes PURCHASE an advanced mode. You see it all the time, purchase the pro version and get this and this feature more. I never get the pro version but this is something I would make an exception to.

Create LDD Pro TLG! Think of the income, hell even trial it with the added features and see what it will do for your bottom line. The free version is what you get now. Export it to pick-a-brick inside the program and watch what happens.

[D3K]

The ability to create custom stickers, with predefined templates for for example Technic panels. Either a simple editor for text and basic shapes integrated in LDD, or just the ability to paste any .png picture into a predefined area. WHat I mean is; you create the sticker first, and then it will "snap" onto a flat area, depending on the shape of the sticker. For example, a 1x4 sticker will snap onto 1x4 tiles, or any other flat surface, placeable with for example 1/2 stud increments. Stickers for 3x11 curved Technic panels will snap into place on 3x11 curved Technic panels when moved over them, etc..

Long stretch, but maybe sub-categories for certain objects?

L- and Servo-motors!!

Edited June 23, 2014 by D3K

[Zerobricks]

Here's a totaly wacky idea...Multiplayer mode, as in several people at once building a project?

Edited June 24, 2014 by Zblj

[D3K]

Here's a totaly wacky idea...Multiplayer mode, as in several people at once building a project?

Haha, would be like Create-mode in LittleBigPlanet with more than one player.. utter chaos!

Another thing I would like to see, is an "extend/retract" function for LA's and shock absorbers. Could be a dedicated button like "Rotate", and work on parts where extending is possible in real life

[Zerobricks]

Haha, would be like Create-mode in LittleBigPlanet with more than one player.. utter chaos!

Another thing I would like to see, is an "extend/retract" function for LA's and shock absorbers. Could be a dedicated button like "Rotate", and work on parts where extending is possible in real life

If there would be, just imagine all you could do Like 16 people building at once! And maybe add option so others cant delete your bricks.

But what I'd really like for LDD is optimisation... I have been using up to 10000 pieces for animations and it gets really laggy...

[Jdurg]

I just started using LDD yesterday as I wanted to mess around in it before starting on my first MOC. (A modification to the Jabba's Palace/Rancor Pit combo). I think overall that this software is really great, but there are some things that are really quite frustrating.

To test it out, I decided to go to the Lego Website and get the instructions for the Battle of Endor set (8038) as I recently picked this up online and am waiting for it to arrive. I decided to build the bunker in LDD to get used to the software. This is where I found some issues:

• When building the set via the official instructions, it became impossible to place the sliding doors in the model. It seemed like LDD wanted to have the sliding doors attach to something else, and not sit freely. I couldn't get the doors into position without it either falling through the floor, or remaining "ghosted" and not letting me place it. To finally get them in there, I had to muck around and put in some "fake studs" to attach part of the door, then once it was set, remove those studs and build back in the other parts. Still, it's not perfect as the doors don't function in LDD since the gear mechanism and the tooth plate don't exist. (Even though I had them lined up perfect, LDD must have still claimed that the collision boxes intersected. Likely because the "tooth plate" probably has a box shape and not a proper toothed shape). I would like them to include an option for "free parts" where you could group a set of pieces an declare it a "free part" so that it's not required to lock onto something and thus things like the doors here would work.
  
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• Another area that caused frustration was the free panels at the end of the build. It's just impossible to make these in LDD since they are not at 90 degree angles, and are simply resting against other bricks in the model. (See the first issue I posted). It would be great if you could free rotate parts, or perhaps have LDD align the edges of things like these panels so you could snap them in, then free tilt the piece so that it lines up like it should. Basically, as it seems to be right now, if you have parts in a build that aren't connected to another piece in a perfect 90 degree angle, you can't include them.
  
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• The ability to take part numbers from within an instruction book, enter them into a "bucket" within the file you have open, and have it provide the correct part and color. You can then call this a "set" and as you use up the bricks, they disappear from your bucket just as if you are building the real thing.
  
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• The ability to re-define the center point and manually move the camera. Sometimes a build will cause the center of the project to move away, and there's no way to manually just move the camera directly to the left, or directly to the right. You have to fiddle around with zooming and rotating, and this is just incredibly inefficient. I would like to see this get updated like how Google SketchUp handles it.
  

That's about all I can think of right now. The software has the potential to be something really great, and allow us AFOLs to build the sets that we simply cannot afford at the moment, or have gone out of production and are now selling at insane prices.

[Calabar]

Hi Jdurg, some answers to your questions.

• LDD need a connection to place a brick. You can pose bricks only on the ground. Using scaffoldings as you did to place the doors is a common used technique.
  About collision, usually it is possible to fit gears in the right way, but it is not easy nor comfortable.
  
• You can freely rotate bricks using the rotation tool. The rotation need a pivot (another brick connected to the first one). I often use ball joints connected to a pivot in order to place a part as I want.
  
• You can use the integrated search function to get a brick starting from its elementid or designid.
  
• About having a list with the correct bricks in the correct colour and their count while you are using that, the solution is the custom palette feature (further informations about that here in this forum).
  
• Right click on a brick redefine the central point. Shift+Drag to pan the scene.
  

A final comment: LDD is not perfect and needs many "trick" and tools to make advanced things. In this forum you will find many on these tricks and tools. Take a look at the section index.

PS: I'm not sure this is the right place for this!

Edited June 28, 2014 by Calabar