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  • Yun'Harla

Enhanced LeoCAD 21.06.2 - Virtual Lego editor

Updated: Jul 14, 2021


Been using LeoCAD to build my virtual Lego Star Trek sets : )

It is a great tool for creating step-by-step builds via its Timeline feature, for sharing, so others can build the sets too.


Try my enhanced mod: LeoCAD 21.06.2 for Windows



There're teething problems for newbies (and probably veterans too) with LeoCAD. Hence, I've set out to make ease of use enhancements in LeoCAD.


2 of the issues and solutions to first make the cut are as follows.


Parts Search

Issue: Finding a part is a nightmare, given the countless parts available and unfamiliarity with the part names.

  • Brick Size. Brick size has to be specified with spaces. E.g. "2 x 4" - a lot of unneeded extra typing of spaces.

    • Note: internally LeoCAD seems to be detecting and replace double spaces with single spaces during search.

  • Phrase Match. Have to type in exact partial match to part names, like "Corner Round with Slope" to find a part named "Brick 5 x 5 Corner Round with Slope 45 Chamfer". But who in the world remembers if it's "slope with corner round" or "round corner with slope" or whatever!?!?

    • I just want to find something with 'slope' and 'corners'...

Enhancements:

  • Brick size. Omit spaces. E.g.: "2x4", "2.2x5", "2x2x3". Simple.

  • Keywords Match. Try matching every keyword.

    • E.g.: type in "slope corner" to find parts like "Brick 5 x 5 Corner Round with Slope 45 Chamfer". "slop corn" also works.

  • Combine the two. E.g.: "2x2 slop corn" gives "10 x 2 x 2 Curved with Rounded Corner - Left" and "10 x 2 x 2 Curved with Rounded Corner - Right".


Shortcuts for Keyboard Warriors

Issue: A lot of mouse moves and clicks needed to activate a menu command. E.g.: In Timeline, I'm trying to rearrange parts into new steps - that's a lot of clicking around.


Enhancements: More mnemonics i.e. keyboard shortcuts. Examples of some additions:

  • Timeline

    • I: Insert step after.

    • B: Insert step after.

    • M: Move selection here.

  • Submodels menu

    • N: New Submodel... -> ALT-M + N, instead of ALT+M + mouse down to New Submodel... + click.

    • S: Submodels...

Note:

LeoCAD seems to allow configuration of hotkeys via View > Preferences > Keyboard. However, before deep diving into configuring hotkeys, simple mnemonics out-of-the-box should be the basics in terms of UX* for all users.

*UX: User Experience


Where to Get It

I've placed my fork of LeoCAD in Github here.


For other OS users, you'll have to build your own copy from my source codes.


PS: Have found setting up the build environment for LeoCAD pretty tedious... maybe I'll jot/blog it someday.

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