Autodesk Inventor vs LDD/SR 3D

[mvshabeer]

Hi there

I am trying to start with lego modelling using CAD. I am a 3d artist (architecture) using mainly Autodesk 3ds max.

So far I have tried LDD and SR 3D.

SR 3D has lot of functions & parts, but the object manipulation/navigation/grids/snaps etc.. are terrible and taking a lot of time. This takes me down to model physically than on the computer.

On the other hand LDD has nice snaps and easy navigation. But there is no animation. (big let down)

I think I will be more comfortable with Autodesk inventor (I havent used it so far - But I have used lot of other autodesk products)

I have seen Efferman on this thread (http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=91294) using inventor for LEGO

Does anyone have any idea about how to get start Lego modeling in Inventor. It's obvious that Inventor dont have any lego parts.

Where to get the parts?

Is there any limitations compared to SR 3d builder.

Thanks

Shabeer

[Alasdair Ryan]

I have also used inventor for lego work,but it is time consuming because inventors constraints tend not to pick the correct edges of the lego parts,and then there is rotating them.....

Link to some parts.

You could also try MLcad,that has different snaps and grid settings.

(HND CADD Student)

Edited August 24, 2014 by Alasdair Ryan

[Zerobricks]

Actually you can do simple aniamtions in LDD with linkages, and such, but yeah nothing complex as gears, etc... You are gonna have to make all the parts from scratch though... unless there is a way to import LDD geometry... I think Lego digital designer forum is a better place for this topic.

[efferman]

well building models in inventor is possible, when you have models of the parts in the correct scale and dimensions. small differences in dimensions are making a proper assembling nearly impossible. even complex mechanisms are possible if all fits together

but to modelling al the parts can took some months

[legolijntje]

Well, heavy LDraw user here, expecially SR3D Builder. I love it!

What exactly do you mean with "SR 3D has lot of functions & parts, but the object manipulation/navigation/grids/snaps etc.. are terrible and taking a lot of time"?

I never really used Autodesk (for LDraw at least), but think the problem would be that there aren't a lot of parts available in the correct format...

---

btw, I moved the topic to the correct subforum

[mvshabeer]

Thanks for the quick replies :)

I have also used inventor for lego work,but it is time consuming because inventors constraints tend not to pick the correct edges of the lego parts,and then there is rotating them.....

Link to some parts.

You could also try MLcad,that has different snaps and grid settings.

(HND CADD Student)

If that's the case modelling on inventor wont be an ideal solution. Fitting every pins & axles precisely will be painful.

well building models in inventor is possible, when you have models of the parts in the correct scale and dimensions. small differences in dimensions are making a proper assembling nearly impossible. even complex mechanisms are possible if all fits together

but to modelling al the parts can took some months

Just had quick search over the net, Seems like need to most of the special parts are not available.

I got interested in inventor when I saw this video earlier.

Well, heavy LDraw user here, expecially SR3D Builder. I love it!

What exactly do you mean with "SR 3D has lot of functions & parts, but the object manipulation/navigation/grids/snaps etc.. are terrible and taking a lot of time"?

I never really used Autodesk (for LDraw at least), but think the problem would be that there aren't a lot of parts available in the correct format...

---

btw, I moved the topic to the correct subforum

Well, I actually like SR 3d builder considering it as a free and "in development" and it has tones of features,

but I am using Autodesk products like Max, Maya, Mudbox etc.. all day for work.

When I first got my hands on SR3d i was like "no way". The main thing that annoys me is there is no home grid and how dynamic grids popups everytime. I really dont know if I am moving an object or panning the view. The snaps sometimes work very well (with pins). But if I try place a beam over a beam, it's not getting the job done properly.

May be it's just me, that I'm expecting kind of smooth navigation and tools which I'm used.(which is in there after decades of development :) )

Over time I will get use to it. I really like how the gear/pneumatic animation works.

[xSergio74]

The main thing that annoys me is there is no home grid and how dynamic grids popups everytime. I really dont know if I am moving an object or panning the view. The snaps sometimes work very well (with pins). But if I try place a beam over a beam, it's not getting the job done properly.

Just to le you know, working with SR3DB you can:

- the G key can turn the grid off/on

- using the U key changes the way the UI manages parts movement making placing of beams comfortable enough, but you need to get used with it to apreciate its power.

Sergio

[gerger]

Hi there

I am trying to start with lego modelling using CAD. I am a 3d artist (architecture) using mainly Autodesk 3ds max.

I think you may want to have a look into Blender as it has a LDR importer so that you might do your render/animation in Blender or re-export to any format that fit to 3ds max. Check this out: http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/Extensions:2.6/Py/Scripts/Import-Export/LDRAW_Importer

[mvshabeer]

Just to le you know, working with SR3DB you can:

- the G key can turn the grid off/on

- using the U key changes the way the UI manages parts movement making placing of beams comfortable enough, but you need to get used with it to apreciate its power.

Sergio

Thanks for the tips.

I will stick with SR3D :)

Eventually I will get better.

What exactly is alternative UI, Is it better to turn it on/off?

[legolijntje]

Alternative UI is more like LDD. I don't know if you've used LDD, but in LDD the part follows the mouse pointer. With Alternative UI on, SR3D builder will do the same. The part will follow the mouse and when you have (e.g.) a pin selected and you hover over a hole in a beam, the pin will go to that hole automaticly. Personally, I don't like it, but there are a lot who do.

Btw, a tip: a lot of people (including me) don't like the default rotation mode. Go to Preferences > User Interface and set the Rotation Mode to LDD like. There's a high chance that one works easier. If you don't like it, just switch it back