Planning First MOC - Any software available?

[John82]

Hi all, I hope I have posted this in the right place.

I'm planning on building A Game of Thrones MOC, but having never designed a MOC before I am looking for tips.

Is there any software available to help plan out a MOC?

[Phil B]

Yes there is. You have 3 main options, with several suboptions (not posting links as I am mobile, but assume you can google these based on my tips):

1. Use LEGO Digital Designer (for Mac and Windows). This software has recently been retired by LEGO, and will not get updated with new parts, but is still available. Search for LDD or LEGO Digital Designer.

2. Use any tool that supports the LDraw.org parts repository. LDraw.org itself should have references to these tools. They include MLCad, LEOCad and a few others. Steeper learning curve than LDD, but much more powerful as a suite of tools. For tutorials, check www.holly-wood.it

3. Some people have mentioned that buildwithchrome.com also supports LEGO nowadays. I have no experience with this. Sounds like it works in Google Chrome only.

[John82]

1 hour ago, Phil B said:

Yes there is. You have 3 main options, with several suboptions (not posting links as I am mobile, but assume you can google these based on my tips):

1. Use LEGO Digital Designer (for Mac and Windows). This software has recently been retired by LEGO, and will not get updated with new parts, but is still available. Search for LDD or LEGO Digital Designer.

2. Use any tool that supports the LDraw.org parts repository. LDraw.org itself should have references to these tools. They include MLCad, LEOCad and a few others. Steeper learning curve than LDD, but much more powerful as a suite of tools. For tutorials, check www.holly-wood.it

3. Some people have mentioned that buildwithchrome.com also supports LEGO nowadays. I have no experience with this. Sounds like it works in Google Chrome only.

Brilliant, Cheers Phil, just what I was after. I've just downloaded the LEGO Digital Designer and will have a play with it to see what I can do

[Zelgazra]

1 hour ago, Phil B said:

This software has recently been retired by LEGO

Where did you see they've retired the software? A new patch with 2016 parts just came out the other week. Did they announce something about retirement along with that patch? Nothing in the app itself indicates it's being discontinued. Curious. 

[Alpinemaps]

Where did you see they've retired the software? A new patch with 2016 parts just came out the other week. Did they announce something about retirement along with that patch? Nothing in the app itself indicates it's being discontinued. Curious. 

I saw a lot of discussion about it over on Eurobricks. The update was a surprise, because of the planned retirement of LDD.

I know there are some statements out there. I'll see if I can find something.

Here's some info:

http://brickset.com/article/18789/rip-ldd

[Phil B]

2 hours ago, Alpinemaps said:

I saw a lot of discussion about it over on Eurobricks. The update was a surprise, because of the planned retirement of LDD.

I know there are some statements out there. I'll see if I can find something.

Here's some info:

http://brickset.com/article/18789/rip-ldd

All I have is the same update from brickset...

[Martae54]

6 hours ago, slash-halen said:

Hi all, I hope I have posted this in the right place.

I'm planning on building A Game of Thrones MOC, but having never designed a MOC before I am looking for tips.

Is there any software available to help plan out a MOC?

 

[gregpj]

14 hours ago, Phil B said:

3. Some people have mentioned that buildwithchrome.com also supports LEGO nowadays. I have no experience with this. Sounds like it works in Google Chrome only.

https://www.buildwithchrome.com/

It works in any browser, but my guess is Chrome provides the best support.

[boxofcorey]

Just buy the Citizen Brick customs and you'll be good to go.

[boxofcorey]

I don't know why my picture didn't work, but doesn't matter anyway... CB must be done selling the GoT customs anyway. I don't even want to know what resellers have them going for now.

Once you get used to some of the quirks of LLD, it should serve your purpose well enough.

[John82]

On 08/04/2016 at 3:29 PM, boxofcorey said:

Just buy the Citizen Brick customs and you'll be good to go.

I've just Googled Citizen Brick customs and seen the minifigs. They look really impressive.

Thanks for the info, I will have a look to see what they're selling for.