LDraw and Legos

[chipshane]

Is using LDraw morally wrong? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ldraw I have some Lego Pieces at home, but I want to download LDraw and use it to have a virtual lego set and render images of the things that I design virtually in LDraw. The reasons I ask is that i don’t know if the shapes of Lego pieces are Copyrighted, and I won’t be buying Lego pieces to make the models in real life. Ldraw has on file nearly every single Lego piece (not just the generic bricks, but perhaps evey part lego came out with). So… if i use LDraw as a substitute to buying a Lego set (mainly, if not entirely, to save money), is that stealing? Maybe I am being scrupulous, but idk.

 

[gmags2003]

Is using LDraw morally wrong? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ldraw I have some Lego Pieces at home, but I want to download LDraw and use it to have a virtual lego set and render images of the things that I design virtually in LDraw. The reasons I ask is that i don’t know if the shapes of Lego pieces are Copyrighted, and I won’t be buying Lego pieces to make the models in real life. Ldraw has on file nearly every single Lego piece (not just the generic bricks, but perhaps evey part lego came out with). So… if i use LDraw as a substitute to buying a Lego set (mainly, if not entirely, to save money), is that stealing? Maybe I am being scrupulous, but idk.

If you think it is wrong, then go with that. Clearly it is not.

 

[rpp]

I think you are being scrupulous. The program is intended to help people design real-life Lego creations.

If you want to use it just to to draw, fine.

 

[graceandglory]

So… if i use LDraw as a substitute to buying a Lego set (mainly, if not entirely, to save money), is that stealing? Maybe I am being scrupulous, but idk.

Hi, I used to teach Lego Physics and Lego Robotics. Sure, use the LDraw, I think that sounds cool! But why wouldn’t you want to see your actual figures that you create by using real Legos?

Seems to me that half the fun is in building the creation.

Just curious.
I think Legos are cool.

 

[CarolAnnSFO]

If you are concerned, then download the “LEGO Digital Designer” program right from the LEGO site (go to www.lego.com, and click on the section called “Play”, or just enter “LEGO Digital Designer” in the search box). I’d provide a link, but they’re having a “page unavailable” problem at the moment). It’s a free download. Many people have uploaded designs made using this software to the site; there are some really cool ones!

I would download it myself (I love LEGO), but my PC is so old, that I don’t have a compatible graphics card. I’ll have to be satisfied with the actual, plastic bricks.