LEGO Block Building Software
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When I was a kid, I would get into trouble all the time for trying to build with my LEGO blocks when I was supposed to be sleeping. To this day, I have a box of LEGO blocks, and I still build things with them. Well, you can also do some LEGO construction using your computer!
The official LEGO computer program is called Digital Design. There are currently 763 different LEGO bricks to choose from. Using these, you can design your own projects, then order the pieces you used if you wish to build it at home for real. You can choose from partially built models, or a blank slate to create the design of your dream. There is no obligation to actually order LEGO bricks, so let your imagination wander!
There are a couple of good open-source applications which are LEGO-like, but not endorsed by the company itself. The first one of these is called LDraw. LDraw is an open standard for LEGO CAD programs that allow the user to create virtual LEGO models and scenes. You can use it to document models you have physically built, create building instructions just like LEGO, render 3D photo realistic images of your virtual models and even make animations. The possibilities are endless. Unlike real LEGO bricks where you are limited by the number of parts and colors, in LDraw nothing is impossible.
Second, we have BlockCad for Windows. BlockCAD is a freeware program for building virtual models with Lego-like bricks. You can save your models, or save pictures of them (.bmp, .jpg), even reuse a complete model as a part in another model. Everything can be controlled with the mouse, but it’s also possible to use the keyboard for most of the commands, making ‘routine building’ more effective, and there is a minimum of text involved, to make it easier for kids.
Last but not least, there is the BrickSmith offering for OS X. Bricksmith allows you to create virtual instructions for your Lego creations on your Mac. The magic is based on the LDraw library, a collection of 3D models of Lego building blocks created by enthusiasts from around the world. With Bricksmith, you never have to worry about running out of parts!
So, do you still play with LEGO’s? What do you like to build? Have you used any of these programs… or will you try one out after reading this? Let me know!
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28 Comments
Windows Vista Torrent
November 22nd, 2007
at 7:32am
Tech Interviews Black Friday Coupons What is a Torrent? Is BitTorrent Legal? Computer Tips and Help for Novices Free Digital Camera Software: Upgrade Your CanonLEGO Block Building SoftwareOne Laptop Per Child vs Asus Eee Notebook PC Internet Dating Tips for Geeks Mac vs Windows vs Linux: Every OS Sucks! Do Macs Get Viruses? Anti-Virus for OS X? Thankful for Thanksgiving, Thanks!
wikili
August 14th, 2008
at 7:03am
must credit the person/group/organization that made it. I was happy to provide my help to LegoShark, and I hope he wins! We’ll update this post after the judging is complete, to let everyone know how LegoShark did. Mac vs PC: LEGO BrickfilmingLEGO Block Building Softwarea Do You Enjoy Brickfilm? 7:13
Tyler S. Miller
November 22nd, 2007
at 4:05am
Free Digital Camera Software: Upgrade Your Canon - Nov 21, 2007 - chris@pirillo.com (Chris Pirillo)LEGO Block Building Software - Nov 21, 2007 - chris@pirillo.com (Chris Pirillo) One Laptop Per Child vs Asus Eee Notebook PC - Nov 21, 2007 - chris@pirillo.com (Chris Pirillo) Internet Dating Tips for Geeks
matt78tv
November 21st, 2007
at 10:33am
I love legos, they make me feel like the true geek I am.
Zer0small
November 21st, 2007
at 10:34am
Nice!
Legos FTW!!!
nelson1tom
November 21st, 2007
at 10:34am
i got like millions of legos
johntheunique
November 21st, 2007
at 10:40am
In college, I had a cool professor who let us build lego robots with the Lego Mindstorms kit. The only thing I disliked about it was that there weren’t really enough legos to go around.
johntheunique
November 21st, 2007
at 10:42am
I’m a fan of “real” legos. I don’t like the simple ones or the branded ones (e.g. Harry Potter, ugh!) They don’t leave much to the imagination of a true engineer.
Thewoog
November 21st, 2007
at 11:08am
yeah, I have a HUGE box of legos! Over 1000 legos!
cphellp
November 21st, 2007
at 11:11am
GRatE TiP!!!!
ethernet117
November 21st, 2007
at 11:30am
LEGOS are great!
adamgooday
November 21st, 2007
at 11:43am
doesn’t work on vista!?!?
caa1000
November 21st, 2007
at 2:23pm
Ever been to the Lego World at Disney World in Orlando FL? They have a big dragon at the top of the bay in Downtown Disney and is made of over 100,000 Lego pieces!
IceArdor
November 21st, 2007
at 4:25pm
Thanks for the tip. I’m building LEGO robots at work and posting the designs online. I was just going to take pictures of my creation, post the pictures, and hope people can “reverse engineer” or duplicate my creation just by looking at the picture. This will make my job a lot easier to allow others to duplicate my creations. YAY! I’m really happy. Thanks a ton.
poxbag1
November 21st, 2007
at 8:43pm
:( thats crap
thelilmasta2007
November 22nd, 2007
at 5:10am
theres nothing wrong with the actuall lego block designer, on there site
JJW001
November 22nd, 2007
at 1:15pm
last time i used the LEGO software they didn’t have all the small technical pieces. hopefully they’ve expanded their brick library. modern LEGO sucks because they use too many unique pieces for models. it’s kinda cheating i think.
gbpacker022
November 23rd, 2007
at 2:17am
question: how do i start talking in the message/chat box?
WillThePlank
November 23rd, 2007
at 2:22am
there is a login
just put in a username but no password if you havent registered
yensteel
November 23rd, 2007
at 6:51pm
oh man, i used to have a chest full of lego, and i had a lego city next to my window when i was in elementary school. it’s the ultimate “construction” toy. i also had a box of Knex. that wasn’t really as fun. it was the electronic gears and motors that made it really fun, making remote controlled tanks that shoot projectiles, boats, trains, and race cars (that can’t turn)
BJagHalo
November 24th, 2007
at 2:21pm
I remember being in the chat when he was recording this!! :D
BadboyzSpy
November 25th, 2007
at 4:55am
Pretty interesting. I think I will try it out.
kevaughanshiu
November 25th, 2007
at 6:02am
analternative is to play a sandbox game. same concept where u build anything from your imagination but the best sandbox game/mod is Garry’s mod (comunity calls it Gmod ) it uses the physics engine from half life 2 w/e and alows u to use all the items and props from all your source games. in my collection i have the entire hl2 plus cs:s items. more info go to garrysmod dot com.
creativeatheart
December 21st, 2007
at 8:00am
I remember legoDacta. My first project was a set of traffic lights. There was an cross-roads, and you could set the interval between each light changing! Brilliant at the time, bit lame once you’ve grown up!
RickArter
March 11th, 2008
at 3:15pm
Lego’s FTW! I have bunch in the basement from when I was younger.
colinalcluster
May 21st, 2008
at 12:08am
i hate the lego people
whatthe???????man
January 2nd, 2009
at 4:52am
thank you! your information is so great that helps me! :]
Richard Knexfreak
April 25th, 2009
at 1:21pm
Okay cool program for peopel wight legos but is there something like for knex? bechaus im searching me dead for a good program thats working and not chrashing wight 3D movement our not just something to build wight for Knex