Difference between revisions of "CAD Tools"

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Many useful parts specific to trains have been designed by the community for use with [http://www.ldraw.org LDraw] software tools such as [http://mlcad.lm-software.com MLCad], [http://bricksmith.sourceforge.net Bricksmith], [http://http://sourceforge.net/projects/lpub4/ LPub], etc.  In this section, you will find categorized LDraw component bundles to add to your LDraw library installation.  
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Many useful parts specific to trains have been designed by the community for use with [http://www.ldraw.org LDraw] software tools such as [http://mlcad.lm-software.com MLCad], [http://bricksmith.sourceforge.net Bricksmith], [http://sourceforge.net/projects/lpub4/ LPub], etc.  In this section, you will find categorized LDraw component bundles to add to your LDraw library installation.  
  
 
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Revision as of 02:38, 26 June 2015

There are many useful and practical software tools available to the LEGO® fan community. These tools can be used to build models, plan layouts, illustrate instructions, and much more. In this section, you can find libraries, extensions, data files, etc. specifically related to LEGO® trains for some of these software tools. These resources can be downloaded from the categorized tables below.

BlueBrick Add-on Libraries

BlueBrickScreen.png

BlueBrick (by Alban Nanty) is an excellent open source software tool for designing Lego® based layouts. This tool allows you to arrange baseplates, track, and other items into any desired layout configuration. You can assign different drawing layers for each item, generate parts lists, add text annotations, and much more. BlueBrick comes pre-installed with many different parts libraries, including Lego® track from the 4.5V era up to current 9V/RC track. Since the introduction of new alternative track items from ME Models, we can now build layouts with new curve radii options of 56, 72, 88, and 104 studs. Below, you can download additional component libraries to expand the possibilities of layout design using BlueBrick.

BlueBrick Add-on Libraries
Preview Description Rev
MEAllColours.png ME Models Track (All Sleeper/Tie Colours)
BlueBrick library which includes the ME Models R56, R72, R88, and R104 curves as well as the half, standard, and double length straights. This library includes track elements in all available sleeper/tie colours of dark bluish gray, reddish brown, dark brown, and black. To install and use this library:
  1. Download one or more library zip files using the links in this table.
  2. Copy and unzip the METrack.zip file to the BlueBrick library folder for track components, e.g. ..\BlueBrick 1.8.0\parts\Track depending on your installation.
  3. Launch BlueBrick and verify that the new track components are in the "Track" section of the library selection window.
1.2
Download ME Models Track (All colours) v.1.2
MEDarkGray.png ME Models Track (Dark Bluish Gray)
BlueBrick library which includes the ME Models R56, R72, R88, and R104 curves as well as the half, standard, and double length straights. This library only includes track elements illustrated in dark bluish gray.
1.2
Download ME Models Track (Dark Bluish Gray) v.1.2
MEReddishBrown.png ME Models Track (Reddish Brown)
BlueBrick library which includes the ME Models R56, R72, R88, and R104 curves as well as the half, standard, and double length straights. This library only includes track elements illustrated in reddish brown.
1.2
Download ME Models Track (Reddish Brown) v.1.2
MEDarkBrown.png ME Models Track (Dark Brown)
BlueBrick library which includes the ME Models R56, R72, R88, and R104 curves as well as the half, standard, and double length straights. This library only includes track elements illustrated in dark brown.
1.2
Download ME Models Track (Dark Brown) v.1.2
MEBlack.png ME Models Track (Black)
BlueBrick library which includes the ME Models R56, R72, R88, and R104 curves as well as the half, standard, and double length straights. This library only includes track elements illustrated in black.
1.2
Download ME Models Track (Black) v.1.2
SchLibrary.png Schematic Track Library
This library contains a complete selection of track planning resources illustrated as symbols so that you can create track schematic drawings. This library has the following features:
  • Universal: includes 9V and RC track from LEGO®, ME-Models track in both plastic and metal, and a range of custom track components
  • Colour Coded: elements are colour coded for easy identification. Red elements represent track products from LEGO®, orange elements are custom parts, and ME-Models components have different colours for each unique curve radius.
  • Plastic and Metal rails: RC/plastic and 9V/metal track elements are differentiated by colour saturation so that metal and plastic track can easily be combined in a plan, yet easily identified. Furthermore, metal track also include a small energy bolt icon to indicate that it is powered.
  • Custom Elements: a range of customized track elements are included such as single element stub switches (in both RC and 9V) and compound track arrangements such as pre-made/aligned crossovers (LH/RH in both RC/9V)
  • Complete: all track elements are properly identified by colour and part number (where applicable). This will be especially helpful when generating a parts list since it will itemize all unique parts.

It is recommended to install this library into a new sub-folder of the BlueBrick ..\parts\ folder. To install and use this library:

  1. Make a new subfolder under the BlueBrick library folder, e.g. ..\BlueBrick 1.8.0\parts\Track Schematic
  2. Copy and unzip the TrackSchematic.zip file into the new sub-folder
  3. Launch BlueBrick and verify that the new track components are contained in a new category with the same name as the sub-folder you created, e.g. "Track Schematic"
1.1
Download Schematic Track Library v.1.1

LDraw Components

mlcad.gif

Many useful parts specific to trains have been designed by the community for use with LDraw software tools such as MLCad, Bricksmith, LPub, etc. In this section, you will find categorized LDraw component bundles to add to your LDraw library installation.

LDraw ME Models Track
Preview Description Rev
MELDraw.png ME Models Track
LDraw parts library which includes the ME Models R56, R72, R88, and R104 curves as well as the half, standard, and double length straights. Ronald Vallenduuk has generously contributed his LDraw implementation of the ME Models track components. You can download a zip file containing the latest release of this library here or visit Ronald's github repository directly for more detail. The revision number shown here refers to the github commit hash code.
2049c6e776
Download ME Models LDraw Parts