https://github.com/impiaaa/blender-ldraw

An LDraw importer for Blender
https://github.com/impiaaa/blender-ldraw

blender blender-3d ldraw lego python

Last synced: about 2 months ago
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An LDraw importer for Blender

• Host: GitHub
• URL: https://github.com/impiaaa/blender-ldraw
• Owner: impiaaa
• License: mit
• Created: 2012-02-07T21:18:50.000Z (over 13 years ago)
• Default Branch: master
• Last Pushed: 2019-11-10T03:55:21.000Z (almost 6 years ago)
• Last Synced: 2025-04-23T18:07:14.996Z (6 months ago)
• Topics: blender, blender-3d, ldraw, lego, python
• Language: Python
• Homepage:
• Size: 71.3 KB
• Stars: 8
• Watchers: 2
• Forks: 2
• Open Issues: 3
• Metadata Files:
  • Readme: README.md
  • License: LICENSE

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README

          
This script imports LDraw model files into Blender (2.70 and above).

From the LDraw website:

> LDraw(tm) 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.

### Features

* Utilizes Blender's hierarchical object structure, for easy moving and

  management of parts

* Uses mesh-linking, so that every duplicate part has the same mesh, but can

  have different colors and transformations

* Imports colors from the LDraw header file as materials, complete with

  raytraced transparency for transparent colors, emissive materials for

  luminescent colors, and raytraced reflections for chrome, metal, and

  pearlescent colors

* Supports parts with multiple colors (stickers)

* Automatically set all round primitives (cylinders, spheres, cones, and tori)

  to use smoothed normals

* Force models to use hi-res primitives when available

* Replace light.dat references with lamps

* Scale individual parts to create a seam between pieces

### Usage

Execute this script from the "File->Import" menu and choose your model file.

Make sure that the LDraw dir field is set to your LDraw install directory, chose

the options you'd like on the left (more help in the tooltips), and click

Import.

### Import options

* LDraw dir: THIS MUST BE SET CORRECTLY to your LDraw install path (the

  directory in which the P and PARTS directories reside).

* Transform: Rotate and scale the top-level model to match Blender's coordinate

  system.

* Smooth: Automatically smooth round primitives (cyl, sph, con, tor)

* Hi-Res Prims: Force use of high-resolution primitives (from p\48), if

  possible.

* Lights from model: Create lamps in place of light.dat references.

* Seam width: The amount of space in-between individual parts (scales each part

  to 1.0-seam width)

### Known issues

* Models should NOT be considered Game Engine-ready, as the script does not yet

  fully support the LDraw BFC syntax.

* Colors/materials can be drastically improved on.

* Some parts show incorrectly due to primitives with shearing transformation

  (e.g., 981, 982, 3823)

* Importing can be very slow for large models.

* Names mesh/objects to file names, rather than part names. Will probably stay

  this way.