LDD Rants and Raves

[Semaj Nagirrac]

One of my biggest issues with LDD is the selection of transparent colors in extended mode. I have always felt the colors were too transparent and difficult to see. For example:

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I used Transparent Green on the weapons and armor to imitate the glass armor from the Elder Scrolls series as best as I could. The default color does not cut it.

However, with some research and messing around, I was able to come up with a suitable alternative.

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As it turns out, the members of the LDD Team (all of their work is done during their free time) has a lot more color options "under the hood". I took "Faded Green", found it in the database and edited it to be transparent with a metallic material ID. I think this result looks much better.

All of the colors are available in this .lxf here: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.p ... opic=48239
To select them, you'll have to go into Extended Mode and use the Color Picker Tool to choose which color you want. It's tedious, but until LDD is updated with all of the colors available (the LDD Team is working on making it accessible) this is the only option. As for editing the colors like I did, that is going to take a lot more explanation.

I'll be uploading some videos soon with tutorials on how to edit LDD.

So, anyone else got a rant?

[dilanski]

The lack of custom part categories. Keep in mind that the current sorting system was around back in the first version circa 2004, since then, the number of pieces has grown more than hundred-fold. I'd love for groups to be moved onto some sidebar, with the ability to make custom groupings.

That, and for the background of the parts tray to change in contrast to the selected colour, If I have gray selected, it can be a pain to distinguish blocks from the background.

And lastly, a Pick a Brick compatible mode would also be appreciated, as much as lego factory died its belated death, PAB lives on, and I'd appreciate the ability to use it for full models (Mass mini tanks anyone?).

[cleanupcrew]

I'm somewhat against customized LDD, since it ruins exchangeability of microspace LXFs and thus defeats part of the purpose of LDD Microspace, but to each his own.

[Semaj Nagirrac]

That, and for the background of the parts tray to change in contrast to the selected colour, If I have gray selected, it can be a pain to distinguish blocks from the background.

I certainly agree with you on that. I've never found it enjoyable to strain my eyes trying to see the part better.

I'm somewhat against customized LDD, since it ruins exchangeability of microspace LXFs and thus defeats part of the purpose of LDD Microspace...

The edited colors are only changed for the edited copy of LDD. For everyone else, the default settings for the colors remain the same. As for the decorations, I see your point. The db.lif does have to be hacked in order to make any changes and most users don't want to go to that length to get a few extra torso and face decorations. Since I'm not so much into microspace, this works for me, but not for 99% of everyone else in this sub forum.

[Silverdream]

Why can't I just get these two pieces to fit? I know they fit in real life.

[Quantumsurfer]

Fucking Baseplates.

[DeltaV]

Why are there no seperate minifig hands?

[motorhead fan]

Why can't I just get these two pieces to fit? I know they fit in real life.

Oh God, that is the bane of my life.

[Whiteagle]

And lastly, a Pick a Brick compatible mode would also be appreciated, as much as lego factory died its belated death, PAB lives on, and I'd appreciate the ability to use it for full models (Mass mini tanks anyone?).

Agreed.
While I love that someone homebrewed a way to get Bricklink parts list using LDD files, I wouldn't mind being able to bulk order greebles and weapons directly from the Lego Company.

[Quadruple.Digits]

Flex tubes.
Why oh why can't they work.