LDraw

This article is about LDraw CAD format in general. For the LDRAW editing program go to LDRAW.

LDraw is an application written by the late James Jessiman for DOS. It could render LEGO pieces and models in 3-D from a simple text file (referred to as an LDRAW file). He also modeled many of the original parts in the parts library that is central to the program. The file format was open to the public, which allowed many enthusiasts to make tools which could process LDraw files. With associated tools, users can model creations, plan designs, or render photorealistic objects.

Nowadays, LDraw generally refers to the collection of tools, psuedo-specifications, ideas, and community surrounding the LDraw file format.

The LDraw format divides a model into steps so that the building instructions can be incorporated into the design, and also allows for steps that rotate the camera and even (primitively) move parts around. It also allows for models to be used as pieces in larger models to make design easier.

All of these tools, as well as information about LDraw and other resources, are available from the LDraw website.

There is a book called Virtual LEGO that is about the LDraw system and its associated tools. Another book called LEGO Power Tools also addresses the LDraw system and tools.

Programs

There are many programs written to handle the LDraw file format for a variety of platforms.

Editors

Some of the editors for LDraw files are:

Graphical editors

• MLCad
• LeoCAD
• LEdit (packaged with the LDraw program)

Other

• LDDesignPad
• LDraw Add-On (contains an edit functionality)

Viewers

Viewers do not edit files, but just render them.

• L3Lab
• LDLite
• Ldglite
• LDView
• LDRAW (program)

Tools

Tools are apps dealing with the LDraw format, but do not allow direct rendering or editing. Instead, they generally manipulate and generate files.

• L3PAdd-On
• LDList
• LPub
• LDraw Add-On
• SR 3D Builder

Conversion

Converters take LDraw files can create models for other tools to work with. Often, these other tools are rendering applications, to create photorealistic scenes with Legos.

• L3P is a program that will produce a POV-RAY file from any LDRAW model.
• LDraw2LWS Converts LDraw files to Lightwave objects and scene files
• Ld2VR Converts LDraw files to VRML worlds using Java

Parts Library

All software requires the LDraw Parts Library, a collection of computer modelled building bricks.

MIME types

LDraw.org has released a guide about the MIME types to use for LDraw. They are not registered with any official body.

Normal files (.LDR, .DAT) 

application/x-ldraw

Multipart files (.MPD) 

application/x-multi-part-ldraw

LDLite files (.LDLITE, .LDL) 

application/x-ldlite

External links

• LDraw.org homepage