Build LEGO models with LDraw and LeoCAD
Tutorial – LDraw and LeoCAD
LDraw and LeoCAD help you become a virtual LEGO architect.
For decades, young and old alike have enjoyed the well-known bricks by Danish toy manufacturer LEGO. The success story began in 1932 with wooden toys. In 1949 the first plastic bricks went into production, and since 1958 they have been available in the form that remains popular. Today, LEGO is far more than just a children's toy; there are also many adult LEGO fans. LDraw and LeoCAD help you plan your own LEGO models on your PC.
Before you get started, there are two things you need to do. First, install LDraw [1] on your system. This is an open standard for LEGO CAD programs. The tool comes with 3D models of the bricks and a file format for the notation of the models you build with the bricks. Download the complete brick list [2] and unzip the ZIP file to the ~/ldraw/ folder or another directory. The bricks included in LDraw are constantly updated.
The second step is to install a LEGO CAD program, which you use to turn the virtual bricks into digital models. Of the various programs that use the LDraw standard [3], we chose the current 21.06 version of LeoCAD [4] for this article. For the sake of simplicity, it is a good idea to download the AppImage variant [5], which you can launch directly without installing. Alternatively, pick up the source code from GitHub and compile the program yourself [6].
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.