johnsjob / awesome-lego

Curated list of awesome LEGO resources

Awesome LEGO

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.
• LEGO Digital Designer - Design your greatest robot.
• LeoCAD - A CAD program for creating virtual LEGO models.
• lic - Cross platform, Python, OpenGL & Qt powered desktop application for creating and editing LEGO instruction books.
• 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.
• sr3dbuilder - Advanced LEGO PC CAD for Technic models.
• Toybrick - OpenSCAD module to create bricks.

Online Editors

• publishyourdesign - Build virtual creations with dozens types of LEGO pieces.
• buildwithchrome - Build a LEGO model on a 32 x 32 baseplate and share it with everybody on a world map.
• Mecabricks: http://mecabricks.com - Build your 3D LEGO models online.

Archives

• Brickfact - LEGO database with price charts.
• brickset - Your LEGO set guide.
• Rebrickable - Combine your LEGO sets to create other sets.
• brickimedia - An open project to create the largest LEGO fan network.
  • brickipedia - A collaboratively written free online LEGO encyclopedia.
  • brickimedia customs - Content made by its own contributors.
  • LEGO Stories - Wiki devoted to housing LEGO fanfiction.
  • LEGO Ideas - Wiki for collecting 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.

Resources

• Holly-Wood.it - Tutorials, utilities and software add-ons for LDraw.
• LEGO Engineering - LEGO based engineering for classrooms.

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).
• 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

Competitors

• Airfix
• 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.

Links

• rebrickable.com/about - Link collection at the bottom of the page.
• bricks stackexchange - Question and answer site for LEGO and building block enthusiasts.

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.

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.

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

Add-ons

• bitbeam - LEGO technic compatible wooden beams.
• Funky 3D Faces - Create a miniature version of a real head to fit it on minifigures.

YouTube Channels

• LEGO - Official LEGO channel
• akiyuky - Various LEGO technic contraptions.
• MlCHAELHlCKOXFilms - Stop motion LEGO videos.

Books

• 1000 Laser-Hacks for MAKER - German book series about photonic experiments with LEGO.
• Minifigure.org - Several books about minifigures.

Articles

• Price history of LEGO sets
• State of the art of 3D printing LEGO bricks

Build Manuals

• Chocolate Carving Pantograph - Carve graphics in small chocolate tiles.
• Domino row building machine
• 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
• myphotonics - Blueprints for optic and photonic equipment built with LEGO.
• Nintendo Switch experiments
• Star Racer - Star Wars racing game.
• Ultimate LEGO Soccer Robot - Tech United robot built with LEGO Mindstorms.
• Vortex Candy Launcher - Chocolate throwing machine.