 | |
Screenshot  Screenshot of Flyer build from LEGO Masters Denmark rebuilt in LeoCAD | |
| Original author(s) | Leonardo Zide |
|---|---|
| Initial release | 1997 [1] |
| Stable release | |
| Written in | C++ [3] |
| Operating system | Windows MacOS Linux [4] |
| Size | 27,5 MB |
| Available in | English |
| Type | Computer-aided design |
| License | Gplv2 |
| Website | www |
LeoCAD is a free and open-source 3D CAD program for creating virtual Lego models by using parts from LDraw library. [5] [6] [7] It was developed by Leonardo Zide in 1997. [8]
LeoCAD is developed and released by Leonardo Zide around 1997 under GPL v2 free and open source software license. [9] Its written in C++ and uses Qt as GUI. [10] At first it was a standalone CAD software with its own brick library, but soon it was updated to adopt the LDraw library and file format, an unofficial Lego parts collection that was very popular at the time. [11] As of 2024, LDraw contains over 10.000 pieces and still gets updated with new bricks. [12] [13]
In 2021, Leonardo received James Jessiman Memorial Award from LDraw community for his creation of LeoCAD and contributions to the parts library. [14]
LeoCAD allows users to build Lego models in a CAD environment with LDraw bricks library which is installed by default to make it easier for users to start building. Apart from LDraw, it is possible to import other custom brick libraries. [15] [16] LeoCAD also enables users to track each part which can be used to generate step-by-step instruction just like in official Lego sets. [17]
Parts can be selected from the part selector and directly dragged into the building area where they can be moved or rotated via arrows with customizable precision. Building area provides 6 virtual cameras built-in which can be used to focus on different parts of the build. [18] Other tools include additional cameras for alternative view angles, omni lights and spotlight.
By default, LeoCAD saves builds as LDraw-compatible LDR and MPD (Multi-Part Document) file format. It supports exporting builds as Wavefront OBJ, COLLADA DAE and Autodesk 3DS models and curating brick lists in CSV, HTML and BrickLink-compatible XML. It also has a built-in POV-Ray render option. [19] [20]
LeoCAD and LDraw parts are mentioned in academic research and used in projects. In 2008, a group of academics from Technical University of Lisbon wrote a paper that reviews available LEGO CAD tools of the time including LeoCAD and made suggestions on how to improve virtual brick building experience. They created their own software with gravity and collisions, and compared it with LeoCAD in terms of efficiency. [21] In 2019, LeoCAD was used for designing virtual 3d model of a Lego Mindstorms based robot for autonomous vehicle simulation research which got revealed in an IEEE conference of that year. [22]
Lego is a line of plastic construction toys manufactured by the Lego Group, a privately held company based in Billund, Denmark. Lego consists of variously coloured interlocking plastic bricks made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) that accompany an array of gears, figurines called minifigures, and various other parts. Its pieces can be assembled and connected in many ways to construct objects, including vehicles, buildings, and working robots. Assembled Lego models can be taken apart, and their pieces can be reused to create new constructions.
Computer-aided design (CAD) is the use of computers to aid in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimization of a design. This software is used to increase the productivity of the designer, improve the quality of design, improve communications through documentation, and to create a database for manufacturing. Designs made through CAD software help protect products and inventions when used in patent applications. CAD output is often in the form of electronic files for print, machining, or other manufacturing operations. The terms computer-aided drafting (CAD) and computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) are also used.
Technical drawing, drafting or drawing, is the act and discipline of composing drawings that visually communicate how something functions or is constructed.
LDraw is a system of freeware tools and a 3D graphics file format standard for modeling Lego creations.
Lego Technic is a line of Lego interconnecting plastic rods and parts. The purpose of this series is to create advanced models of working vehicles and machines, compared to the simpler brick-building properties of normal Lego.
LUGNET is one of the largest online Adult Fan of Lego (AFOL) communities. It was founded by Todd Lehman and Suzanne Rich.
Computer Aided Industrial Design (CAID) is a subset of computer-aided design (CAD) software that can assist in creating the look-and-feel or industrial design aspects of a product in development.
Lego Loco is a Lego-branded virtual world game for Microsoft Windows, released in November 1998. It is a simple open-ended construction game with an emphasis on rail transport. The aim of the game is to construct a town in which Lego minifigures can live. This was the first game released by Lego Media, the publishing division of The Lego Group that was founded after the commercial success of Mindscape's Lego Island.
Eurographics is a Europe-wide professional computer graphics association. The association supports its members in advancing the state of the art in computer graphics and related fields such as multimedia, scientific visualization and human–computer interaction.
Lego Creator is a sandbox game for Microsoft Windows, which involves building with virtual Lego elements. The game has no missions, objectives, challenges, or money constraints. The game was released on 11 November 1998.
Lego Creator is a Lego theme for generic models. Creator sets have few specialized bricks to create buildings, creatures, vehicles, and robots. Some sets featured instructions for three different possible builds from the bricks included and most sets in recent years have used the 3-in-1 label. Creator is also a parent theme to Lego Icons, a Lego subtheme for adolescents and adults featuring advanced building techniques and large piece counts, mostly known for Modular Buildings and detailed vehicles. Creator also has had several other subthemes such as X-Pods and mosaics.
Lego Creator: Knights' Kingdom is a construction simulation video game for Microsoft Windows. It allows players to use virtual Lego pieces, first to build a medieval kingdom, and then to use the kingdom in a battle against the character Cedric the Bull. It is a stand-alone sequel to the 1998 game Lego Creator, and is based on the first incarnation of Lego's Knights' Kingdom theme.
Lego Digital Designer is a discontinued CAD software made by Qube Software and the Lego Group. It allows people to design a virtual model using a selection of virtual Lego bricks. These models could be saved locally as uploaded to the Lego website for sharing and ordering as a physical product. It is available for macOS and Windows, but only as a 32-bit application, which means that it no longer runs on newer versions of macOS. The program allows users to build models using virtual Lego bricks, in a computer-aided design like manner. Until 16 January 2012, these could be uploaded, along with instructions and a box design, to the Lego Design byME website, from where the models could be ordered for delivery as a real, packaged set. Users can also take screenshots of their models and store the models on their computer in an .LXF file. On 9 November 2011, Lego declared that the Design byME service was going to end on 16 January 2012, due to its failure to meet quality expectations and for being too complex. In its absence, custom brick orders have had to be made via the Pick a Brick service. The closing of Design byME has not affected the ability of users to print custom instructions for their models.
SolveSpace is a free and open-source 2D/3D constraint-based parametric computer-aided design (CAD) software that supports basic 2D and 3D constructive solid geometry modeling.
LEGO Mindstorms EV3 is the third generation robotics kit in LEGO's Mindstorms line. It is the successor to the second generation LEGO Mindstorms NXT kit. The "EV" designation refers to the "evolution" of the Mindstorms product line. "3" refers to the fact that it is the third generation of computer modules - first was the RCX and the second is the NXT. It was officially announced on January 4, 2013, and was released in stores on September 1, 2013. The education edition was released on August 1, 2013. There are many competitions using this set, including the FIRST LEGO League Challenge and the World Robot Olympiad, sponsored by LEGO.
A 3D Content Retrieval system is a computer system for browsing, searching and retrieving three dimensional digital contents from a large database of digital images. The most original way of doing 3D content retrieval uses methods to add description text to 3D content files such as the content file name, link text, and the web page title so that related 3D content can be found through text retrieval. Because of the inefficiency of manually annotating 3D files, researchers have investigated ways to automate the annotation process and provide a unified standard to create text descriptions for 3D contents. Moreover, the increase in 3D content has demanded and inspired more advanced ways to retrieve 3D information. Thus, shape matching methods for 3D content retrieval have become popular. Shape matching retrieval is based on techniques that compare and contrast similarities between 3D models.
BrickLink is the largest online marketplace for reselling Lego products. Its website also offers resources for Lego fans, including an extensive catalog of products and parts and community forums.
Lego Brick Sketches is a Lego theme that recreates iconic characters as stylised portraits. It was first introduced in June 2020. Following the launch of Lego DOTS, a theme mainly targeted towards children, the Lego Brick Sketches theme is the first bas-relief portraits concept to be launched by the Lego Group.
 | This Lego-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |