Import From LDD
LukeSkywalker started this discussion in General Discussion

So I saw that you're planning to add a function where you can import models from LDD. It sounds like a really cool feature. Does this mean that you'll add all the LDD parts to the database? How will colors on parts with decorations work (like on LDD when you have an orange jacket torso and you make the jacket green)? How long do you think it will be before this function is added?

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Thanks for the explanation Scrubs, I understand it. It must have been my math that's wrong after reading your workflow.

What do you mean with this one?
"- LDD uses extrinsic rotations and Mecabricks intrinsic ones."

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At the end of the day it didn't matter. However now, I know how the rotations are set in LDD 😉

LDD is using the Tait-Bryan angles following x-y-z (extrinsic rotations). It means that the successive rotations are calculated in this order:
1st - rotation about fix world X-axis
2nd - rotation about fix world Y-axis
3rd - rotation about fix world Z-axis

On the contrary, on mecabricks I use the Tait-Bryan angles following x-y'-z" (intrinsic rotations). The successive rotations are calculated in this order:
1st - rotation about local X-axis (same as world X-axis)
2nd - rotation about local Y-axis (which is different than world Y-axis as we rotated the part about X-axis already)
3rd - rotation about local Z-axis

A transformation matrix is independent from the system you use. This matrix is what the lxfml is providing and therefore we don't care about what system the 3D engine is using (quaternion or Euler systems). My original calculation was therefore all good.

I finished to code everything for the workshop and I know the method to define the values to store in the database for the conversion. The last thing to do will be to add a UI in the part page so that you guys can complete it. I am away for the next 3 days so it will be for next week. I'll put together a short tutorial to explain how to find those conversion values if you want to start before the rest is ready.

That all make sense. 😃 We'll just start together next week to fill in the required values! Have a holiday right now! 😃

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@Sim yeah I need it. My head is going to explode after all those math stuff lol But it is actually the type of feature I like to code. A few days of hardcore coding for a high value output!

@fatsomania36 Which browser are you using? I heard that with some versions of Firefox it can be quite slow.

I'm using Firefox 44. It's pretty good but not quite as smooth as LDD. I've noticed it's a bit faster on Chrome, but the renders look weird on Chrome.

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I am not too sure. On my mac it is way faster than LDD and on my work PC which is quite old it is also faster (chromium).

It's pretty smooth on my Chromebook, I just don't like the track pad. Maybe Macs aren't as awful as I thought they were. 😃

This is great, I was looking to rebuild one of my favorite mechs in Mecabricks. But if I can import it, it would be easier. Here are some pics of it.

http://s11.postimg.org/c5ti99j4z/Mech1.png

http://s27.postimg.org/qwut7bjs3/Mech1_2.png

BTW, noticed some of the pieces I need to complete this are not in Mecabricks. So I'm working on getting the models sent in.

That's looking very, very promising - lot's of cool stuff to render! (although I'm afraid that the number of new parts requests is going to explode...)

Isn't it already exploding? 😛

Yeah, it almost seems like MB has become too big to be run as a one-man-show. Some kind of crowd-sourcing might have to take place to reduce Scrubs workload, so that he's able to focus on the main areas (e.g. rather developing the platform than creating decorations for boring sets?). I noticed that quite a few folks have already offered their support, though.

I already sent him models of two parts that it requires. Just waiting to hear back if they're OK or if more work is required on them.

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Hello,

The LDD importer is online with all the tools needed to update the conversion database. I gave Sim access and rough guidance on how to do that. If someone else is happy to help I can give the same access and explanations. I'll go back to part modeling for a bit as there is a huge backlog!

http://www.mecabricks.com/docs/forum/conversionUI.png

The importer currently supports LDD Groups and replaces decorated parts by their non decorated version. Flexible parts and parts not available in mecabricks are ignored.

I could help with this as time permits.

I'd like to try my hand at that.

Does everyone has the ability to edit the LDD conversion data?

Sim, I'm currently not able to estimate, if I can be of any help in this matter. But if you or Scrubs would share some insights about requirements, tools and process, I would be willing to take a look into it and assist as far as possible. Thanks a lot! 😃

Scrubs is going to pass you the email and access in a few hours I guess. 😃
You'll need Blender and LDD although that Blender may be optional. It depends on what suits you the best.

Yeah, still nighttime in NZ... 🌔💤

I've got both (latest LDD and Blender) installed here. Let's see.

Well, I decided to see how well this works. Here is my first result:
http://mecabricks.com/en/models/yr121kgNvlB

Kind of messed up but that was expected!

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