Hello again,if you take a look at the code below and tell me if that what you are after.

0 STEP
0 BUFEXCHG A STORE
0 MLCAD ARROW
1 0 -22 43 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 3001.dat
1 0 43 -33 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 brick sub 1.ldr
0 STEP
0 BUFEXCHG A RETRIEVE
1 0 -22 43 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 3001.dat
1 0 43 -33 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 brick sub 1.ldr
0

Edited July 2, 201311 yr by Alasdair Ryan

I added the comments in MLCAD but it still is showing double the amount of pieces I need. Do I need to ghost some parts?

Yeah. The code I provided earlier is when I add the submodel to the main model with a buffer exchange.

Never mind. I typed in the wrong code on accident. It worked. Thanks all.

Glad you got it working,you need to be 100% accurate when adding the commands in the right place.

Hi. I am working on a model in LPub that contains the piece 44309. When I open up LPub the first step should have a wheel and the tire (44309) in it. However only the wheel shows up. I clicked through LPub to step 4. Suddenly the piece appeared. It didn't appear in the PLI in the first step or the fourth step. Is there some reason the piece isn't showing up in LPub until the fourth step Also my PLI on the first step is huge. It is the size of the whole page. All the other PLI's are normal. Is there a way to shrink a PLI?

Thanks,
Nathan

Edited September 1, 201311 yr by bats

Could you take a look at this file in LPub, and let me know how it behaves for you?

If it looks correct, and you're still having trouble with your file, please post it here.

Your file worked. I saw the piece. Mine still isn't working. Here is my code:

0 FILE Motorcycle Front.ldr
0 MOTORCYCLE.L3B
0 Name: Motorcycle Front.ldr
0 ROTATION CENTER 0 0 0 1 "Custom"
0 ROTATION CONFIG 0 0
1 7 1.59875 -8.27949 -38.8849 -0.996307 0.000644869 -0.0858564 -0.000644869 1 0.0149935 0.0858564 0.0149935 -0.996195 56145.dat
1 0 1.59875 -8.27949 -38.8849 -0.996307 0.000644869 -0.0858564 -0.000644869 1 0.0149935 0.0858564 0.0149935 -0.996195 44309.dat
0 STEP
0 BUFEXCHG A STORE
1 7 6.066 -13.568 -220.037 0.0858564 0.000644869 -0.996307 -0.0149935 1 -0.000644869 0.996195 0.0149935 0.0858564 44294.dat
1 7 -2.479 -10.187 88.061 -0.996307 0.000644869 -0.0858564 -0.000644869 1 0.0149935 0.0858564 0.0149935 -0.996195 32123a.dat
1 7 8.643 -14.018 -190.151 -0.996307 0.000644869 -0.0858564 -0.000644869 1 0.0149935 0.0858564 0.0149935 -0.996195 3713.dat
1 15 -52.311 -67.973 156.593 0.706257 -0.0858564 0.70273 -0.704338 0.0149935 0.709706 -0.0714691 -0.996195 -0.0498827 40490.dat
1 7 -0.167 -16.338 231.316 -0.996307 0.000644869 -0.0858564 -0.000644869 1 0.0149935 0.0858564 0.0149935 -0.996195 3713.dat
0 MLCAD ARROW 0 3.995 -16 263.284 0 0 1 0 1 0 -1 0 0 13 4 12 410 3 30 1 2 16 16
0 MLCAD SKIP_BEGIN
3 0 3.995 -16 275.284 3.995 -22.5 260.284 3.995 -16 264.617
3 0 3.995 -16 275.284 3.995 -9.5 260.284 3.995 -16 264.617
3 0 3.995 -16 264.617 3.995 -18 263.284 3.995 -14 263.284
4 0 3.995 -18 263.284 3.995 -18 -146.716 3.995 -14 -146.716 3.995 -14 263.284
0 MLCAD SKIP_END
0 STEP
0 BUFEXCHG A RETRIEVE
1 7 2.02803 -8.35445 -33.904 0.0858564 0.000644869 -0.996307 -0.0149935 1 -0.000644869 0.996195 0.0149935 0.0858564 44294.dat
1 7 3.91687 -8.68431 -11.9877 -0.996307 0.000644869 -0.0858564 -0.000644869 1 0.0149935 0.0858564 0.0149935 -0.996195 32123a.dat
1 7 0.310901 -8.05458 -53.8278 -0.996307 0.000644869 -0.0858564 -0.000644869 1 0.0149935 0.0858564 0.0149935 -0.996195 3713.dat
1 15 -50.9278 -65.7006 7.94207 0.706257 -0.0858564 0.70273 -0.704338 0.0149935 0.709706 -0.0714691 -0.996195 -0.0498827 40490.dat
1 7 7.17941 -9.25406 25.8677 -0.996307 0.000644869 -0.0858564 -0.000644869 1 0.0149935 0.0858564 0.0149935 -0.996195 3713.dat
0 STEP
1 0 -79.8956 -93.939 -0.0245733 0.0858564 0.996307 0.000644869 -0.0149935 0.000644869 1 0.996195 -0.0858564 0.0149935 2780.dat
1 0 -51.7864 -65.5507 -2.01988 0.0858564 0.000644869 -0.996307 -0.0149935 1 -0.000644869 0.996195 0.0149935 0.0858564 2780.dat
0 STEP
1 0 -106.288 -122.627 21.8946 0.0858564 -0.585887 0.805844 -0.0149935 -0.809498 -0.586947 0.996195 0.0383108 -0.0782851 2780.dat
1 15 -112.312 -61.253 -6.77708 -0.0701684 0.0858564 -0.994441 -0.998105 -0.0149935 0.0691308 -0.00897479 0.996195 0.0867457 32524.dat
0 STEP
1 0 -113.528 -104.516 32.8294 -0.910315 -0.0858564 0.404937 -0.407572 0.0149935 -0.91306 0.0723206 -0.996195 -0.0486414 60483.dat
1 1 -114.472 -104.351 21.8713 0.0858564 -0.585887 0.805844 -0.0149935 -0.809498 -0.586947 0.996195 0.0383108 -0.0782851 43093.dat
0 ROTSTEP 28.4211 -8.53755 0 ABS
1 0 -116.826 -84.2613 12.3383 -0.993508 -0.0858564 0.0747639 -0.0763209 0.0149935 -0.99698 0.0844761 -0.996195 -0.0214487 60483.dat
1 7 -120.175 -83.6766 -26.5133 -0.0858564 0.988769 0.122404 0.0149935 0.124126 -0.992163 -0.996195 -0.0833482 -0.0254821 32073.dat
0 STEP
1 7 -80.7541 -93.789 -9.98652 -0.269196 0.0858564 -0.959315 -0.96311 -0.0149935 0.268919 0.00870499 0.996195 0.0867254 32316.dat
1 1 -63.285 -98.8675 -31.6449 -0.0858564 -0.0117346 -0.9963 0.0149935 -1 0.0104847 -0.996195 -0.0140378 0.0860233 6558.dat
1 1 -44.0987 -104.246 -33.3794 -0.0858564 -0.0117346 -0.9963 0.0149935 -1 0.0104847 -0.996195 -0.0140378 0.0860233 6558.dat
1 1 -101.658 -88.1108 -28.1759 -0.0858564 -0.0117346 -0.9963 0.0149935 -1 0.0104847 -0.996195 -0.0140378 0.0860233 6558.dat
0 STEP
1 15 -63.285 -98.8675 -31.6449 0.0858564 0.269194 -0.959315 -0.0149935 0.963111 0.268918 0.996195 -0.00870483 0.0867254 53792.dat
0 STEP
0 BUFEXCHG B STORE
1 15 -5 -8 -171.645 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 Right Side.ldr
0 MLCAD ARROW 0 -3.729 -12.423 -130.001 0 -0.707107 -0.707107 0 -0.707107 0.707107 -1 0 0 10 4 12 100 3 30 1 2 16 16
0 MLCAD SKIP_BEGIN
3 0 -3.729 -12.423 -118.001 -0.193466 -8.88747 -133.001 -3.729 -12.423 -128.001
3 0 -3.729 -12.423 -118.001 -7.26453 -15.9585 -133.001 -3.729 -12.423 -128.001
3 0 -3.729 -12.423 -128.001 -2.31479 -11.0088 -130.001 -5.14321 -13.8372 -130.001
4 0 -2.31479 -11.0088 -130.001 -2.31479 -11.0088 -230.001 -5.14321 -13.8372 -230.001 -5.14321 -13.8372 -130.001
0 MLCAD SKIP_END
0 MLCAD ARROW 0 -93.729 -88.423 -110.001 0 -0.707107 -0.707107 0 -0.707107 0.707107 -1 0 0 10 4 12 82 3 30 1 2 16 16
0 MLCAD SKIP_BEGIN
3 0 -93.729 -88.423 -98.001 -90.1935 -84.8875 -113.001 -93.729 -88.423 -108.001
3 0 -93.729 -88.423 -98.001 -97.2645 -91.9585 -113.001 -93.729 -88.423 -108.001
3 0 -93.729 -88.423 -108.001 -92.3148 -87.0088 -110.001 -95.1432 -89.8372 -110.001
4 0 -92.3148 -87.0088 -110.001 -92.3148 -87.0088 -192.001 -95.1432 -89.8372 -192.001 -95.1432 -89.8372 -110.001
0 MLCAD SKIP_END
0 ROTSTEP 24.8684 34.8617 0 ABS
0 BUFEXCHG B RETRIEVE
1 15 0 0 -1.645 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 Right Side.ldr
0 STEP
0 BUFEXCHG C STORE
1 7 -4.583 -13.454 -227.148 -0.996307 0.000644869 -0.0858564 -0.000644869 1 0.0149935 0.0858564 0.0149935 -0.996195 3713.dat
0 MLCAD ARROW 0 1.629 -16 -136.629 0 0 1 0 1 0 -1 0 0 10 4 12 60 3 30 1 2 16 16
0 MLCAD SKIP_BEGIN
3 0 1.629 -16 -124.629 1.629 -21 -139.629 1.629 -16 -134.629
3 0 1.629 -16 -124.629 1.629 -11 -139.629 1.629 -16 -134.629
3 0 1.629 -16 -134.629 1.629 -18 -136.629 1.629 -14 -136.629
4 0 1.629 -18 -136.629 1.629 -18 -196.629 1.629 -14 -196.629 1.629 -14 -136.629
0 MLCAD SKIP_END
0 STEP
0 BUFEXCHG C RETRIEVE
1 7 -3.38092 -7.40987 -96.6642 -0.996307 0.000644869 -0.0858564 -0.000644869 1 0.0149935 0.0858564 0.0149935 -0.996195 3713.dat
1 7 -184.615 -118.791 -21.488 -0.172031 0.981343 0.0858564 -0.985092 -0.171376 -0.0149935 0 -0.0871557 0.996195 44294.dat
0 ROTSTEP 40.2632 12.8063 0 ABS
1 15 -181.175 -99.0894 -21.488 0.172031 0.0858564 0.981343 0.985092 -0.0149935 -0.171376 0 0.996195 -0.0871557 53787.dat
0 STEP
1 0 -189.776 -148.344 -21.488 -0.981343 0.172031 -0.0858564 0.171376 0.985091 0.0149935 0.0871557 0 -0.996195 60483.dat
1 0 -193.214 -157.895 -41.4119 -0.172031 -0.981343 -0.0858564 -0.985091 0.171376 0.0149935 0 0.0871557 -0.996195 2780.dat
0 ROTSTEP 35.5263 21.3439 0 ABS
1 7 -195.797 -182.822 -21.488 -0.981343 0.0858564 0.172031 0.171376 -0.0149935 0.985092 0.0871557 0.996195 0 32123b.dat
1 15 -193.217 -168.046 -21.488 -0.981343 0.172031 -0.0858564 0.171376 0.985091 0.0149935 0.0871557 0 -0.996195 40490.dat
0 STEP
1 7 -220.435 -112.536 21.846 -0.0858564 -0.981343 0.172031 0.0149935 0.171376 0.985091 -0.996195 0.0871557 0 48989.dat
1 1 -223.875 -132.238 21.846 -0.172031 -0.981343 -0.0858564 -0.985092 0.171376 0.0149935 0 0.0871557 -0.996195 6558.dat
0 ROTSTEP 29.6053 179.289 0 ABS
1 8 -223.875 -132.238 21.846 -0.0858564 -0.172031 -0.981343 0.0149935 -0.985092 0.171376 -0.996195 0 0.0871557 32523.dat
0 STEP
1 15 -315.475 -136.544 66.4658 -0.439546 -0.172031 -0.881592 0.0767598 -0.985091 0.153956 -0.894934 0 0.446198 32525.dat
1 0 -281.932 -152.553 48.6179 0.172031 -0.439546 -0.881592 0.985092 0.0767598 0.153956 0 -0.894934 0.446198 2780.dat
1 0 -352.459 -140.237 84.3137 0.172031 -0.439546 -0.881592 0.985092 0.0767598 0.153956 0 -0.894934 0.446198 2780.dat
0 STEP
1 7 -318.914 -156.246 66.4809 0.439546 0.172031 -0.881592 -0.0767598 0.985091 0.153956 0.894934 0 0.446198 32316.dat
1 0 -384.282 -114.376 102.162 -0.172031 0.439546 -0.881592 -0.985092 -0.0767598 0.153956 0 0.894934 0.446198 2780.dat
0 STEP
1 7 -389.745 -103.271 62.8224 0.968596 -0.172031 -0.179612 -0.16915 -0.985091 0.0313664 -0.182235 0 -0.983857 32316.dat
1 0 -391.465 -113.122 62.8225 0.17203 0.975506 -0.137166 0.985091 -0.170357 0.0239538 0 -0.139157 -0.990873 2780.dat
1 0 -398.65 -111.867 23.4682 0.17203 0.975506 -0.137166 0.985091 -0.170357 0.0239538 0 -0.139157 -0.990873 2780.dat
0 ROTSTEP 24.8684 -24.1897 0 ABS
1 0 -325.441 -104.35 -29.2101 0.17203 0.97775 -0.120109 0.985091 -0.170749 0.0209752 0 -0.121853 -0.993153 2780.dat
1 0 -345.068 -100.922 -27.467 0.17203 0.97775 -0.120109 0.985091 -0.170749 0.0209752 0 -0.121853 -0.993153 2780.dat
1 0 -364.695 -97.4946 -25.7239 0.17203 0.97775 -0.120109 0.985091 -0.170749 0.0209752 0 -0.121853 -0.993153 2780.dat
0 STEP
1 7 -366.415 -107.346 -25.7239 -0.120037 0.172031 0.978346 0.0209624 0.985091 -0.170853 -0.992548 0 -0.121928 32316.dat
1 1 -405.549 -100.511 -20.8468 -0.172031 -0.120037 0.978346 -0.985091 0.0209625 -0.170853 0 -0.992547 -0.121928 6558.dat
0 STEP
1 8 -405.531 -80.2118 -40.555 0.970128 -0.17203 -0.171148 -0.169418 -0.985091 0.0298882 -0.173632 0 -0.98541 32523.dat
1 1 -408.972 -99.9136 -40.555 -0.17203 -0.0858405 0.981942 -0.985091 0.0149906 -0.171481 0 -0.996196 -0.0871928 6558.dat
0 ROTSTEP 9.47368 -39.1304 0 ABS
1 1 -414.287 -110.152 -60.2632 0.17203 -0.171043 -0.970719 0.985091 0.02987 0.169521 0 -0.98481 0.173738 43093.dat
1 0 -412.395 -99.3158 -60.2632 -0.970128 -0.17203 0.171148 0.169418 -0.985091 -0.0298882 0.173632 0 0.98541 60483.dat
0 STEP
1 1 -315.119 -45.2441 -29.2101 0.172031 0.0858564 0.981343 0.985092 -0.0149935 -0.171376 0 0.996195 -0.0871557 43093.dat
0 STEP
1 7 -332.853 -30.9806 -27.467 0.172031 -0.981343 0.0858562 0.985091 0.171376 -0.0149934 0 0.0871555 0.996194 42003.dat
0 STEP
1 1 -354.197 -27.2532 -45.6478 -0.0858562 0.981343 -0.172031 0.0149934 -0.171376 -0.985091 -0.996194 -0.0871556 0 6558.dat
1 0 -333.712 -30.8307 -37.4289 0.0858561 -0.981343 -0.172031 -0.0149935 0.171376 -0.985091 0.996194 0.0871555 0 2780.dat
0 STEP
1 7 -334.57 -30.6807 -47.3909 0.172031 -0.981343 0.0858562 0.985091 0.171376 -0.0149934 0 0.0871555 0.996194 42003.dat
0 STEP
0 WORLD 1440.708 -1178.308 -1054.615 0.9581097 -0.07439666 -0.2764627 -0.08585636 0.8465019 -0.5253903 0.2731577 0.5271083 0.8046944
0 CENTRE 0 0 0
0 LOOKAT 1288 -1212 0
0 ZOOM 74
0 ROTANGLE 0
0
0 FILE Right Side.ldr
0 Submodel
0 Name: Right Side.ldr
0 Author: LDraw
0 Unofficial Model
0 ROTATION CENTER 0 0 0 1 "Custom"
0 ROTATION CONFIG 0 0
1 15 -115.416 -60.2348 -46.647 -0.0812043 0.0858564 -0.993054 -0.996727 -0.0149935 0.0802082 -0.00800293 0.996195 0.0867929 32524.dat
1 0 -56.6908 -64.8974 -61.8166 0.0858564 -0.145439 -0.985644 -0.0149935 0.988997 -0.14724 0.996195 0.0274197 0.0827311 2780.dat
0 STEP
1 15 -57.5494 -64.7475 -71.7785 0.709328 -0.0858564 0.699643 -0.701237 0.0149935 0.712784 -0.0716871 -0.996195 -0.0495704 40490.dat
1 0 -84.6766 -93.4087 -59.8337 0.0858564 -0.145439 -0.985644 -0.0149935 0.988997 -0.14724 0.996195 0.0274197 0.0827311 2780.dat
1 0 -114.379 -121.62 -77.7748 0.0858564 0.99631 -0.00370871 -0.0149935 0.00501409 1 0.996195 -0.0857909 0.0153686 2780.dat
0 STEP
1 7 -83.818 -93.5587 -49.8718 -0.222801 0.0858564 -0.971139 -0.974917 -0.0149935 0.222342 0.00452878 0.996195 0.0870434 32316.dat
0 STEP
1 0 -123.967 -103.505 -86.714 -0.895628 -0.0858564 0.43646 -0.43919 0.0149935 -0.89828 0.070579 -0.996195 -0.0511358 60483.dat
1 1 -123.109 -103.655 -76.7521 -0.0858564 0.895628 0.43646 0.0149935 0.43919 -0.89828 -0.996195 -0.070579 -0.0511358 43093.dat
0 ROTSTEP 21.3158 -33.4387 0 ABS
1 0 -123.609 -83.0768 -66.3611 -0.988769 -0.0858564 0.122404 -0.124126 0.0149935 -0.992163 0.0833482 -0.996195 -0.0254821 60483.dat
1 1 -153.806 -58.1878 -23.2311 -0.0858564 0.0404238 -0.995549 0.0149935 -0.999073 -0.0418601 -0.996195 -0.0185207 0.0851707 6558.dat
0 STEP
1 0 -153.806 -58.1878 -23.2311 -0.172031 0.981352 0.0858564 -0.985091 -0.171378 -0.0149935 0 -0.0871565 0.996195 32184.dat
1 4 -139.179 -71.1462 -24.6868 -0.172135 0 -0.985691 -0.985691 0 0.172135 0 1 0 32062.dat
0 STEP
1 7 -121.264 -84.561 -26.4327 -0.178119 0.980319 0.0858564 -0.984072 -0.177489 -0.0149935 0.0005401 -0.0871595 0.996195 42003.dat
0 STEP
0
0
0

Thanks,
Nathan

I saved your MPD file and ran it through LPub. I didn't have any problems with the tire or hub. I can't upload PDF files to Brickshelf for some reason, but here's a screenshot from the resulting PDF. I've got my LDview settings tweaked for another project, so the images here are just a bit off.

Please open the MPD file in LPub, and let me know how it goes.

Your file worked again. The piece was there. My file still doesn't have the piece until step 4.

Your original code works fine here, the tire appears in first step (both in assembly and in in step BOM). Maybe you have a cache issue? try to clear parts list cache and assembly image cache (in LPub Tools menu)

That worked. The tire is there.

Thanks everybody for your help

Hey. Is there a way to add text to your models in LPub- just little notes here and there?

Thanks

The only way I know of is to create the text in an image editor, and then use "Add Picture" from the edit menu.

Ok. Thanks.

An alternate way is to create an LDraw part containing the text. Txt2dat utility makes this rather easy. This is the method I used to create my LDraw color chart:

Here is the LDraw file.

There are pros and cons for each method, for simple annotations the "add pictures" technique is probably better and simpler.

Ok. Thanks for the tip.

Question from a relatively new user. When I open a file in LPub 4.0.0.11 and click through the instructions, a folder containing part and assembly png images is created. I would also like png images for parts used per step (the top graphic on the LPub instructions page). Is there a way to generate these images automatically? Thanks!!

Question from a relatively new user. When I open a file in LPub 4.0.0.11 and click through the instructions, a folder containing part and assembly png images is created. I would also like png images for parts used per step (the top graphic on the LPub instructions page). Is there a way to generate these images automatically? Thanks!!

As far as I know, that isn't possible. It wouldn't make sense to include that in a program meant for making instructions, not producing/rendering images. Because if it saves an image of the part and uses that everywhere where needed instead of making a complete parts list every time, it would save a lot of hard drive space. These loose images are also useful when changing the size or layout of the partslist.

But, yea, sometimes such a feature in would be nice, doesn't matter which software.

You can export the instructions as jpg images via the menu.

Or you could try MLcads photo generator tool which you can use to take photos of the instruction steps,but using these does not create images of a high quality.

As far as I know, that isn't possible. It wouldn't make sense to include that in a program meant for making instructions, not producing/rendering images. Because if it saves an image of the part and uses that everywhere where needed instead of making a complete parts list every time, it would save a lot of hard drive space. These loose images are also useful when changing the size or layout of the partslist.

But, yea, sometimes such a feature in would be nice, doesn't matter which software.

Yeah. I think we've gotten too comfortable with the flexibility of using the images in generated by older versions of LPub/POV-Ray and putting them into something like Powerpoint that we have more experience with as opposed to using the instructions and figuring out the LPub options for making them look like we want. Thanks for the response.

You can export the instructions as jpg images via the menu.

Or you could try MLcads photo generator tool which you can use to take photos of the instruction steps,but using these does not create images of a high quality.

Thanks! Right now I'm exporting the instructions as pngs and then cropping down to just the part that I want. Takes a little time, but the image quality is pretty good. I'm going to play around with the software as is and see if I can make it do what I want.

What is your end goal? If you tell us that, someone may be able to help you figure out a work-around.

What is your end goal? If you tell us that, someone may be able to help you figure out a work-around.

We currently have instructions in Powerpoint. We used to use an older version of LPub (2.4.8.0) along with POV-Ray, and that generated an image of the assembly at each step as well as an image for the parts used for each step, and the final BOM. We take those images and put them into Powerpoint and add things like clarifying text, arrows, sometimes additional views if it helps make things more clear. I couldn't get the older version of LPub/POV-Ray to work together on my new computer, so I'm using the new LPub and trying to make it work for our old process. Maybe newer version of LPub will allow for the flexibility I'm looking for if I look into it a little further.

Do you actually use Powerpoint as to display/present your instructions?

The current version of LPub allows you to add other images to your instructions. Since the "Add Text" feature hasn't been enabled (to my knowledge), I've used it to add text, cover images, etc. to instructions that I've generated recently.

Otherwise, using "Export As... PNG Images" should give you images that you can edit to your heart's content.

Do you actually use Powerpoint as to display/present your instructions?

The current version of LPub allows you to add other images to your instructions. Since the "Add Text" feature hasn't been enabled (to my knowledge), I've used it to add text, cover images, etc. to instructions that I've generated recently.

Otherwise, using "Export As... PNG Images" should give you images that you can edit to your heart's content.

Powerpoint and then we convert it to a pdf. I will definitely play around with adding images and see if that can work for the additional details I'm looking for. One last question I have is if LPub works so that I can have 1) the same image (like a logo) show up on every page of every set of instructions I work on without having to add it for every project and 2) default backgrounds, fonts, etc. used for every project without having to reset it as I want it every time.

Thank you so much for your help!

No, I don't know of any way to set defaults, since all project options are stored within your ldr/mpd file. I suppose you could copy that block of text, once you've got it where you want it, and then just paste it in each time you start a new set of instructions.

Excuse me, if it's already covered, but it would be useful to write about the system how positions affect each other. I'll try to explain with a few examples:

*Moving multi-step groups on the page affects all multi-step placements. You have to manually add (type into the LDraw file viewer sidebar)

0 !LPUB MULTI_STEP PLACEMENT CENTER PAGE INSIDE ....

after every 0 !LPUB MULTI_STEP BEGIN

After this, you can individually drag the groups without ruining the other groups' placements.

*When you have callouts and edit their placements relative to the assembly, then you add this step to a multi-step group, you can no longer position the callouts. That's okay, but somehow callout placements in multi-step groups affect callout positions it totally different multi-step groups in seemingly random ways, or resets the positions of previous steps? I'm not sure.

To overcome this, you have to manually copy-paste 0 !LPUB CALLOUT PLACEMENT .... commands after 0 !LPUB CALLOUT BEGIN

After this, you can individually drag the groups without ruining the other groups' placements??

Is there a better way to solve these position related issues?

*in general, how do local margin parameters affect the instructions? For me, local margin changes don't have any affect of anything (not even the local affect I want in the first place)

*It is very limiting that in multi-step groups you can't position the steps realtive to the PLI and each other anymore (and the positions are reset), like you can do for individual steps. I guess it's because the placement commands are overwritten with the auto-arrangement feature of the multi-steps, but I think it would be convenient for the users, and maybe the programmers too if there wouldn't be an auto-arrange feature, or it would only be "activated" when the command is given, but not when the LDraw file is parsed. (By activated I mean the positions data for the steps are calculated when the "add next step" feature is executed, and all pos. data is written in the LDraw file. And the file parser no longer executes any auto arranging of multi-steps). I hope I was clear...

EDIT: The first two points seem to be caused by a general parser bug. I think the positioning commands (dragging for example) work by first checking for an existing command of the same type in the file (beginning from the current step and going upwards the file), and if it's found, only the command parameters gets changed. If a command is not found, the whole command line is added to the file. The problem IMHO that the parser doesn't stop when it reaches the previous STEP, or MULTI_STEP BEGIN or CALLOUT BEGIN command lines

It can be solved by manually copy-pasting the positioning commands after the 0 !LPUB whatever BEGIN command lines.

Edited January 11, 201411 yr by Lipko