# Awesome LEGO A curated list of awesome LEGO software, archives, links, and other resources. - [CAD](#cad) - [Online Editors](#online-editors) - [Archives](#archives) - [Resources](#resources) - [Software Libraries](#software-libraries) - [Competitors](#competitors) - [Links](#links) - [Marketplace](#marketplace) - [Models](#models) - [Model Conversion](#model-conversion) - [Add-ons](#add-ons) - [YouTube Channels](#youtube-channels) - [Books](#books) - [Blogs](#blogs) - [Articles](#articles) - [Build Manuals](#build-manuals) ## CAD - [BlueBrick] - Layout editor for LEGO exhibitions (Windows). - [BrickLink Studio] - Build, render, and create instructions. - [bricksmith] - Virtual LEGO modeling (MacOS). - [Konstruktor] - A LDraw-compatible CAD (Linux, Windows, MacOS). - [LDCad] - LDCad is a multiplatform LDraw (virtual LEGO) editor that lets you edit LDraw model documents in real-time. - [ldraw] - Open standard for LEGO CAD programs that allow the user to create virtual LEGO models and scenes. - [LeoCAD] - A CAD program for creating virtual LEGO models. - [LPub 4] - Program to produce step by step building instructions for LEGO models created using the LDraw file format. - [mlcad] - CAD program to create LEGO like building instructions. - [openldraw] - CAD program for designing LEGO MOCs. - [Toybrick] - OpenSCAD module to create bricks. - [Web Lic] - Create instruction books from LDraw models. [BlueBrick]: https://bluebrick.lswproject.com [BrickLink Studio]: https://www.bricklink.com/v3/studio/download.page [bricksmith]: https://bricksmith.sourceforge.net [Konstruktor]: https://github.com/segfault87/Konstruktor [LDCad]: https://www.melkert.net/LDCad [ldraw]: https://ldraw.org [LeoCAD]: https://leocad.org [LPub 4]: https://lpub4.sourceforge.net [mlcad]: http://mlcad.lm-software.com/ [openldraw]: https://github.com/HazenBabcock/openldraw [Toybrick]: https://github.com/joewalnes/toybrick [Web Lic]: https://github.com/remig/web_lic ## Online Editors - [buildwithchrome] - Build a LEGO model on a 32 x 32 baseplate and share it with everybody on a world map. - [Mecabricks] - Build your 3D LEGO models online. [buildwithchrome]: https://www.buildwithchrome.com [Mecabricks]: https://mecabricks.com ## Archives - [Brickfact] - LEGO database with price charts. - [brickset] - Your LEGO set guide. - [Rebrickable] - Combine your LEGO sets to create other sets. - [brickipedia] - A collaboratively written free online LEGO wiki. - [Customs] - Content made by its own contributors. - [Stories] - LEGO fan-fiction. - [Ideas] - Collection of LEGO ideas. - [lugnet] - International LEGO Users Group Network and global community of LEGO enthusiasts. - [peeron] - Partial listing of the parts in official LEGO sets. - [Unofficial Minifigure Catalog] - App with information about all minifigures and sets from 1975 to 2015. - [Let's build it again] - Online LEGO building instructions. [Brickfact]: https://brickfact.com [brickset]: https://brickset.com [Rebrickable]: https://rebrickable.com [brickipedia]: https://en.brickimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page [Customs]: https://en.brickimedia.org/wiki/Category:Customs [Stories]: https://en.brickimedia.org/wiki/Category:Stories [Ideas]: https://en.brickimedia.org/wiki/Category:Ideas [lugnet]: https://lugnet.com [peeron]: http://www.peeron.com/ [Unofficial Minifigure Catalog]: https://www.minifigure.org/application/ [Let's build it again]: https://letsbuilditagain.com ## Resources - [Holly-Wood.it] - Tutorials, utilities and software add-ons for LDraw. [Holly-Wood.it]: http://www.holly-wood.it/ ## Software Libraries - [BrickMosaic] - Transform a photo to a bricks mosaic (Windows, Linux, MacOS). - [brickowl2rebrickable] - Tool to convert [BrickOwl] orders to [Rebrickable] CSV files (Windows, Linux, MacOS). - [BrickUtils] - Tool to build your brick catalog and check if you can build a model created with LDD or LDraw. - [LD Pattern Creator] - Vector based texture editor for decorated LDraw parts (Windows). Exports a list of bricks as a BrickLink XML file (Windows, Linux, MacOS). - [LDD to Ai Swatches] - Script to convert LEGO Digital Designer Materials to Adobe Illustrator Color Swatches (ASE). - [LDMakeList] - Tool to create the list of available LDraw parts (Windows). - [LDR Importer] - App to import LDraw and LDraw compatible parts and models into Blender (including proper mesh and materials) (Windows, Linux, MacOS). - [LDraw.rs] - Library for manipulating and rendering LDraw model files in Rust. - [LDView] - Real-time 3D viewer for LDraw models (Windows, Linux, MacOS). - [LEGOCAD Loader] - Python script that creates parts lists from LEGOLDD/LXF, LDR, MPD files (Windows, Linux, MacOS). - [Legofy] - Make images look as if they are made out of 1x1 LEGO bricks. - [LSynth] - Tool to add complicated flexible hoses, bands, chains, and treads to the LDraw files you make with LDraw CADs (Windows, MacOS). - [Minifig SVG Decals] - Collection of SVG files for use as decals on minifigs. - [MILSgen Terraforming] - Workflow & script to create large scale landscapes from MILSgen terrain modules. - [NateJacobs/Brickset-API] - Get LEGO set information using the Brickset API. - [Node LDraw] - Node.js library to parse an LDraw file. - [Node Move Hub] - Node.js library to communicate with the LEGO Boost Move Hub. - [rioforce/LEGO-Textures] - Textures scanned from real LEGO bricks. - [seankross/lego] - R data package featuring every LEGO set from 1970 to 2014 [BrickMosaic]: https://sourceforge.net/projects/brickmosaic/ [brickowl2rebrickable]: https://github.com/dgrant/brickowl2rebrickable [BrickUtils]: https://sourceforge.net/projects/brickutils/ [LD Pattern Creator]: https://sourceforge.net/projects/patterncreator/ [LDD to Ai Swatches]: https://github.com/NickAb/ldd-to-ai-swatches [LDMakeList]: https://code.google.com/p/ldmakelist/ [LDR Importer]: https://github.com/le717/LDR-Importer [LDraw.rs]: https://github.com/segfault87/ldraw.rs [LDView]: https://ldview.sourceforge.net [LEGOCAD Loader]: https://github.com/someidiot/lego-cad-loader [Legofy]: https://github.com/JuanPotato/Legofy [LSynth]: https://lsynth.sourceforge.net [Minifig SVG Decals]: https://github.com/jpgerdeman/minifig-svg-decals [MILSgen Terraforming]: https://github.com/Unitron-Galactic/Tools-Workflows/tree/master/Terraforming%201 [NateJacobs/Brickset-API]: https://github.com/NateJacobs/Brickset-API [Node LDraw]: https://github.com/jsonxr/node-ldraw [Node Move Hub]: https://github.com/hobbyquaker/node-movehub [rioforce/LEGO-Textures]: https://github.com/rioforce/LEGO-Textures [seankross/lego]: https://github.com/seankross/lego ## Competitors - [Airfix] - Quickbuild push-together model kits. - [best-lock] - [Brik.co] - Laptop cases and wall tiles covered with LEGO compatible studs. - [Flexo] - Flexible brick system. - [Makeblock] - Various building blocks for robotic kits. - [Mega Bloks] - [Minifigures.com] - Special minifigure designs and service to order custom made minifigures. [Airfix]: https://uk.airfix.com/shop/quick-build [best-lock]: http://www.best-lock.com/ [Brik.co]: https://www.brik.co [Flexo]: https://www.flexo.nz [Makeblock]: https://www.makeblock.com [Mega Bloks]: https://megabloks.com [Minifigures.com]: https://www.minifigures.com/ ## Links - [rebrickable.com/about] - Link collection at the bottom of the page. - [bricks stackexchange] - Question and answer site for LEGO and building block enthusiasts. [rebrickable.com/about]: https://rebrickable.com/about [bricks stackexchange]: https://bricks.stackexchange.com ## Marketplace - [BrickLink] - Unofficial LEGO Marketplace. - [BrickOwl] - Marketplace to buy and sell LEGO parts, minifigures and sets. - [brickpicker] - LEGO price and investing guide. - [Brick Shop] - Online shop for bricks and sets. - [LEGO Shop] - Official LEGO online store. [BrickLink]: https://bricklink.com [BrickOwl]: https://brickowl.com [brickpicker]: https://brickpicker.com [Brick Shop]: https://brick-shop.de [LEGO Shop]: https://shop.lego.com ## Models - [fuddl/BrickDock] - A Dock compatible with the iPhone 5 made from LEGO bricks. - [Braiding Machine] - Powered by a single motor and makes ropes & wristband. - [Lego A4 Plotter] - 2D plotter made with LEGO Technic and Mindstorms. - [LegoMicroscope] - Simple to build microscope with no need for precision optics or 3D printed parts. [fuddl/BrickDock]: https://github.com/fuddl/BrickDock [Braiding Machine]: https://nico71.fr/braiding-machine-makes-wristband [Lego A4 Plotter]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGQu90EPVAM [LegoMicroscope]: https://github.com/tobetz/LegoMicroscope ## Model Conversion - [Brickify] - Converts STL files to LEGO and 3D-printed parts - [Brickr] - Implementation of the paper "Automatic Generation of Constructable Brick Sculptures" (Eurographics 2013) - [LSculpt] - Triangle mesh to LDraw file converter. - [MILSgen] - Converts heightmaps to LDraw .ldr files [Brickify]: https://github.com/ad-si/brickify [Brickr]: https://lgg.epfl.ch/publications/2013/lego [LSculpt]: https://code.google.com/archive/p/lsculpt [MILSgen]: http://www.legoism.info/2013/12/milsgen.html ## Add-ons - [bitbeam] - LEGO technic compatible wooden beams. - [Funky 3D Faces] - Create a miniature version of a real head to fit it on minifigures. [bitbeam]: https://github.com/hugs/bitbeam [Funky 3D Faces]: https://funky3dfaces.com ## YouTube Channels - [LEGO] - Official LEGO channel - [akiyuky] - Various LEGO technic contraptions. - [MlCHAELHlCKOXFilms] - Stop motion LEGO videos. [LEGO]: https://youtube.com/user/LEGO [akiyuky]: https://youtube.com/user/akiyuky [MlCHAELHlCKOXFilms]: https://youtube.com/user/MlCHAELHlCKOXFilms ## Books - [1000 Laser-Hacks for MAKER][laser-hacks] - German book series about photonic experiments with LEGO. - [Minifigure.org] - Several books about minifigures. [laser-hacks]: https://www.1000laserhacks.uni-osnabrueck.de/startseite.html [Minifigure.org]: https://www.minifigure.org ## Blogs - [Legoism] - Blog about LEGO. [Legoism]: http://www.legoism.info ### Articles - [Price history of LEGO sets][price-history] - [State of the art of 3D printing LEGO bricks][printing-bricks] - [Has LEGO ever been used in an assembly line or a manufacturing process?][asm] [price-history]: https://www.realityprose.com/what-happened-with-lego/ [printing-bricks]: https://hackaday.com/2017/09/08/ive-seen-the-future-and-its-full-of-freakin-huge-bricks/ [asm]: https://bricks.stackexchange.com/questions/11252 ## Build Manuals - [Brickit] - App to scan your LEGO bricks and find build instructions. - [Chocolate Carving Pantograph] - Carve graphics in small chocolate tiles. - [Domino row building machine][domino] - [LEGO 3D Printer] - Building manual for 3D printer made of LEGO bricks. - [Lego Music] - Tangible UI to create music from an arrangement of LEGO bricks. - [MILS System] - Modular integrated Landscaping System. - [Motorized Pop-Up Book Stand][motorized-book-stand] - [myphotonics] - Blueprints for optic and photonic equipment built with LEGO. - [Nintendo Switch experiments][nintendo] - [Star Racer] - Star Wars racing game. - [Ultimate LEGO Soccer Robot][ulsr] - Tech United robot built with LEGO Mindstorms. - [Vortex Candy Launcher] - Chocolate throwing machine. [Brickit]: https://brickit.app [Chocolate Carving Pantograph]: https://woodgears.ca/pantograph/lego.html [domino]: https://woodgears.ca/domino/ [LEGO 3D Printer]: https://www.instructables.com/id/LEGO-3d-Printer/ [Lego Music]: https://hackaday.io/project/161277-lego-music [MILS System]: https://www.abellon.net/MILS/ [motorized-book-stand]: https://jkbrickworks.com/motorized-pop-up-book-stand/ [myphotonics]: https://www.ufp.uni-osnabrueck.de/en/education/myphotonics.html [nintendo]: https://cargocollective.com/vimalpatel/nintendo-switch-experiments [Star Racer]: https://tkelcreations.blogspot.com/2018/03/star-racer.html [ulsr]: https://hackaday.com/2017/08/12/mindstorms-soccer-robot-inspired-by-real-soccer-robot/ [Vortex Candy Launcher]: https://jkbrickworks.com/vortex-candy-launcher/