edit a lego building software
Budget: $250 – $750 USD
Update the BrickBuilder Software to have these new features: (in order of importance)
A way (button?) to turn all the 1x1 pieces into a buildable model (similar to Stud.io)
Possible way to export models to LEGO Digital Designer/Stud.io
Have new parts in generated model show up in instructions
Updated part list for bricks in buildable model
Easy way to add new LEGO bricks and Colors
An auto save feature
Export Brick Models to OBJ
Change Measuring tool to inches
Only if there's time:
Change the rendering feature to be more photorealistic
Generate model studs out
Generate model with jumper plates
More detailed brief below:
This software creates every LEGO model it generates into 1x1 bricks, 1x1 plates (1/3 of a brick), 2x2 bricks or 2x2 DUPLO bricks (larger bricks). Since no pieces connect on the sides, it can't be built without figuring out how all the parts connect together, or the parts required by hand. I would like to have a button that can change the standard 1x1/2x2 pieces into pieces of all sizes so that every part is connected together, making a buildable model in the program. After it creates a buildable model, the part list should also be updated to list all of the pieces it used. Then the instruction tab should also be updated to show where all the pieces go. It will be easier to order the bricks for the model since it would be listed exactly and then it should be easier to build since the instructions show where to put the bricks by layer. The Stud.io software has a feature like this if you need a guide.
This software can import LEGO models from LEGO Digital Designer, but it can't export back to LDD. I would like to have a export to .lxf/.lxfml (file type for LDD models) so it can be opened in that software. Since all models in BrickBuilder start off as 1x1 or 2x2 pieces, it should open in LDD as 1x1 or 2x2 parts, or if the model has been generated into multiple sized pieces, it should open in LDD with all of those different sized parts.
I've tried to add in new parts and colors that are used in LDD but haven't been added to BrickBuilder, however I wasn't able to figure out the entire database system to add them. I would like for there to be an easier way to add in new parts or colors since LEGO keeps adding new stuff to their sets and I would like to stay updated. BrickBuilder shares the same piece file type as LDD (.g)
I would like for there to be some sort of auto save feature, possibly something that runs in the background to avoid interruptions while using BrickBuilder
BrickBuilder can currently export everything in the building area to .3dm .binvox .ma .stl and .stp. I would like to add .obj to the list of exports.
The Ruler tool currently shows distance in centimeters; I would like that changed to inches.
Only if there's time or not very difficult to do, I would like to change the setup in the rendering tab to make it more photo realistic. Very similar to Stud.io's rendering system.
Only if there's time or not very difficult to do, be able to generate models studs out and with jumper plates. Studs out is where pieces are facing in every direction to get the most detailed model possible. The older LScupt software uses this feature. Jumper plates are a 1x2 plate with only one stud right in the middle. Every piece on top will be half a stud instead of a full stud. This will allow for more detailed models using parts half a stud alongside parts that are a full stud. No program currently does this.
Depending on how well this goes, I might also offer another job to add features to LEGO Digital Designer as well.
A way (button?) to turn all the 1x1 pieces into a buildable model (similar to Stud.io)
Possible way to export models to LEGO Digital Designer/Stud.io
Have new parts in generated model show up in instructions
Updated part list for bricks in buildable model
Easy way to add new LEGO bricks and Colors
An auto save feature
Export Brick Models to OBJ
Change Measuring tool to inches
Only if there's time:
Change the rendering feature to be more photorealistic
Generate model studs out
Generate model with jumper plates
More detailed brief below:
This software creates every LEGO model it generates into 1x1 bricks, 1x1 plates (1/3 of a brick), 2x2 bricks or 2x2 DUPLO bricks (larger bricks). Since no pieces connect on the sides, it can't be built without figuring out how all the parts connect together, or the parts required by hand. I would like to have a button that can change the standard 1x1/2x2 pieces into pieces of all sizes so that every part is connected together, making a buildable model in the program. After it creates a buildable model, the part list should also be updated to list all of the pieces it used. Then the instruction tab should also be updated to show where all the pieces go. It will be easier to order the bricks for the model since it would be listed exactly and then it should be easier to build since the instructions show where to put the bricks by layer. The Stud.io software has a feature like this if you need a guide.
This software can import LEGO models from LEGO Digital Designer, but it can't export back to LDD. I would like to have a export to .lxf/.lxfml (file type for LDD models) so it can be opened in that software. Since all models in BrickBuilder start off as 1x1 or 2x2 pieces, it should open in LDD as 1x1 or 2x2 parts, or if the model has been generated into multiple sized pieces, it should open in LDD with all of those different sized parts.
I've tried to add in new parts and colors that are used in LDD but haven't been added to BrickBuilder, however I wasn't able to figure out the entire database system to add them. I would like for there to be an easier way to add in new parts or colors since LEGO keeps adding new stuff to their sets and I would like to stay updated. BrickBuilder shares the same piece file type as LDD (.g)
I would like for there to be some sort of auto save feature, possibly something that runs in the background to avoid interruptions while using BrickBuilder
BrickBuilder can currently export everything in the building area to .3dm .binvox .ma .stl and .stp. I would like to add .obj to the list of exports.
The Ruler tool currently shows distance in centimeters; I would like that changed to inches.
Only if there's time or not very difficult to do, I would like to change the setup in the rendering tab to make it more photo realistic. Very similar to Stud.io's rendering system.
Only if there's time or not very difficult to do, be able to generate models studs out and with jumper plates. Studs out is where pieces are facing in every direction to get the most detailed model possible. The older LScupt software uses this feature. Jumper plates are a 1x2 plate with only one stud right in the middle. Every piece on top will be half a stud instead of a full stud. This will allow for more detailed models using parts half a stud alongside parts that are a full stud. No program currently does this.
Depending on how well this goes, I might also offer another job to add features to LEGO Digital Designer as well.