LDraw Utilities

Dedicated to the Memory of James Jessiman.

Flowers for James

25/7 1997

Contents

What is LDraw?

My Utility Programs

Other's Utilities

What is LDraw?

"LDraw is a DOS program that allows you to draw LEGO models, create building instructions for them, etc. - A LEGO-style Computer Aided Design system."
Jacob Sparre Andersen, LDraw FAQ.
The program is Freeware and made by James Jessiman and is located at http://silo.riv.csu.edu.au/%7Ejjessiman/ldraw/index.html
The best way to find out more about it is to read Jacob Sparre Andersen's LDraw FAQ at http://fys.ku.dk/%7Esparre/LEGO/V%E6rkt%F8j/LDraw-FAQ.html

My Utility Programs

LDraw Script Compiler (LDS)

Imagine you want to make the classic 50x50 baseplate. That takes 2500 studs = 2500 LDraw command lines!
Inspired by BASIC, I made a little script compiler that can handle simple variables, FOR - TO - NEXT and other useful commands. Since most LEGO® parts are symmetric, I also added some MIRROR-ing functions.

The LDraw Script Compiler can be found at: http://home2.swipnet.se/~w-20413/lds/lds.htm
 

Part List Trimmer

LDraw's Makelist program makes a part list more than 100 kb. Too large to be viewed in Notepad.
This TrimList program removes the spaces and reduces the list to half its size.
NOTE: If you use LEdit, it is not a good idea to trim the part list.

The Part List Trimmer can be downloaded at: http://home2.swipnet.se/~w-20413/trimlist.zip
 

LDraw Launcher

A utility that takes care of all the LDraw command line parameters.
There are two versions of my launcher:
ver 0.06 if you still use my SimLego program.
ver 0.50, The LDraw only version.

The LDraw Launcher can be found at http://home2.swipnet.se/%7Ew-20413/ldlaunch.htm

BMP2DAT

Converts 16 colour BMP:s to LDraw .DAT format.
Works best with pictures that has 90 degrees angles.

The LDraw Launcher can be found at http://home2.swipnet.se/%7Ew-20413/bmp2dat.htm

LDraw Draw

My first attempt to create a vector based drawing tool for LDraw.

The LDraw Draw program can be found at http://home2.swipnet.se/%7Ew-20413/ldd.htm

Other's utilities

New external programs and utilities are produced all the time.
The most up-to-date list is probably found at LDraw FAQ #16
Email Address: tore.eriksson@mbox325.swipnet.se