Answers.Body: <p>In the comments you asked, </p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>...do you know if it is possible also to work in stud.io with other
    3d-files or only with bricks that are pre-integrated? So if i would
    have designed new bricks could i use them too?...</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>Looks like <em>Brinklink</em> also offers a tweak program to make custom bricks called <a href="https://www.bricklink.com/v3/studio/partdesigner.page" rel="noreferrer"><em>PartDesigner</em></a>, that's able to export right into <em>Stud.io</em>.  I've never used it, but it might be promising to you. </p>
  
  <p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/Hmiwl.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/Hmiwl.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a> </p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2019-12-02T13:28:19.237Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2019-12-02T13:28:19.237Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Rin Rio-Oki
Answers.Body: <p>The kinds of software used to design <em>LEGO MOC</em> doesn't necessarily have to be solely confined to <em>Computer Aided Design</em> programs. </p>
  
  <p>We can get really creative and exploit functions of programs never intended to be used for <em>MOC</em> bricking.</p>
  
  <p>Enter: <em>Adobe Photoshop</em> - <em>PS's</em> main role is a visual graphic editor, but it does something strange if an image is magnified past 400%.  <em>PS</em> breaks the image down into nice square shaped pixels. Perfect for making <em>LEGO MOCs</em>.</p>
  
  <p>I use the <em>PS</em> squares created in two main ways: </p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>1) <strong><em>Top View</em></strong> pixel creation - Where the scale is a perfect 1:1.</li>
  <li><p>2) <strong><em>Side View</em></strong> pixel creation - Where two 1x1 plates stacked on top each
  other, almost equaling a <em>PS</em> square.</p>
  
  <p>Note: A 2x2 plate stacked on a 2x2 brick makes a nice a square also,
  but this will increase the size of our creation.</p></li>
  </ul>
  
  <p>Well, anyway, the magnifying function is clearly not intended to brick out an outline, but it works well here.</p>
  
  <p>I'm sure there are many other methods within and outside this specific graphic program to aid us in our build.  <em>PS</em> does has a pixelation filter, and outside the program there are <em>LEGO</em> mosaic makers, but this interesting quirk breaks a solid image into pieces, where with minimum time and effort, a more precise stud length can be quickly counted out.</p>
  
  <p>Speaking of counting, it will also help to know your <em>LEGO Math</em> here.  So, when using <strong><em>Side View</em></strong>, 3 Plates = 1 Brick.  Pixels of the same color can be group and merged into money saving bricks.</p>
  
  <p>Here are two examples of <strong>Top View</strong>.</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li><p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/2xXqs.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/2xXqs.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>
  
  <p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/8z25G.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/8z25G.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>
  
  <p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/ZHYHv.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/ZHYHv.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p></li>
  </ul>
  
  <p>Below is an example of one <strong><em>Side View</em></strong> pixel method I'm <em>currently</em> working on.</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li><p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/cn4Jq.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/cn4Jq.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a>  </p>
  
  <p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/SdlU8.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/SdlU8.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>
  
  <p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/fZxGj.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/fZxGj.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>
  
  <p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/pzUtj.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/pzUtj.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>
  
  <p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/4ZDIC.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/4ZDIC.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>
  
  <p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/yRJtQ.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/yRJtQ.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p></li>
  </ul>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2019-12-20T12:42:54.833Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2019-12-20T12:42:54.833Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Rin Rio-Oki
Answers.Body: <p>A popular alternative is <a href="https://www.bricklink.com/v2/build/studio.page" rel="noreferrer">stud.io</a>, provided by Bricklink.</p>
  
  <p>Another possibility mentioned by Alex in the comments is <a href="http://www.melkert.net/LDCad" rel="noreferrer">LDCad</a>.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2019-12-01T19:51:49.560Z
Answers.Text: Just to add to this, stud.io is the typical go-to software these days. LDD is (in my opinion) simpler to use, but has pretty much been abandoned by Lego at this point. Both softwares are liable to change now that Lego owns BrickLink.
Answers.UserDisplayName: MindS1
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2019-12-02T08:42:54.467Z
Answers.Text: thank you for your answer! do you know if it is possible also to work in stud.io with other 3d-files or only with bricks that are pre-integrated? So if i would have designed new bricks could i use them too?
Answers.UserDisplayName: fabian
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2019-12-02T13:22:18.670Z
Answers.Text: I would suggest adding LDCad as an option. It was a go to software prior Stud.io for those who prefer LDraw parts. However it is still quite good. Although might be preffered by people with more challenging requirements.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Alex
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2019-12-02T13:47:20.873Z
Answers.Text: @fabian I don't know if stud.io supports custom pieces, but LDraw [certainly does](http://www.melkert.net/LDCad/faq#faq_unoflib).
Answers.UserDisplayName: zovits
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2019-12-02T13:49:45.347Z
Answers.Text: I generally agree with both Alex and MindS1, but overall, I think the initial question might fall into a realm of too many varied opinions to be able to choose just one program. If someone was building a shed in real life, how can someone say that the best tool to use is a hammer? How does one cut wood with a hammer? how does one strike nails with a saw?  I've used LDD for years, so LDD is my main go to, but I use other software also to perform tasks LDD can't do. I think the original question could be re-worded differently by asking, "What program do you use, and most importantly explain why?
Answers.UserDisplayName: Rin Rio-Oki
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2019-12-02T13:54:59.527Z
Answers.Text: @RinRio-Oki Asking which one is _the best_ would certainly be opinion based. But OP is simply asking about alternatives, and so the question can be answered objectively.
Answers.UserDisplayName: zovits
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2019-12-02T13:57:17.427Z
Answers.Text: @  zovits supports GoFundMonica Fair enough.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Rin Rio-Oki
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2019-12-01T07:59:40.563Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2019-12-02T13:45:39.287Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2019-12-02T13:45:39.287Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: zovits
Body: <p>What kind of software can I use to design LEGO MOCs? I hear the LDD is not so good to use so is there alternative software I can use?</p>
  
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2019-12-02T13:15:10.560Z
Comments.Text: See also [LEGO Digital Designer Alternatives](https://bricks.stackexchange.com/q/1867/56) for an original list.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Zhaph - Ben Duguid
Tags: <software><ldd>
Title: What kind of software can I use to design LEGO MOCs?
UserDisplayName: fabian
ThreadText: # What kind of software can I use to design LEGO MOCs?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2019-11-30)
  
  What kind of software can I use to design LEGO MOCs? I hear the LDD is not so good to use so is there alternative software I can use?
  
  **Tags:** software, ldd
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_1**: See also [LEGO Digital Designer Alternatives](https://bricks.stackexchange.com/q/1867/56) for an original list.  
  
  ---
  
  ## 3 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_3 on 2019-12-01. Score: 7 | Accepted answer
  
  A popular alternative is [stud.io](https://www.bricklink.com/v2/build/studio.page), provided by Bricklink.
  
  Another possibility mentioned by Alex in the comments is [LDCad](http://www.melkert.net/LDCad).
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_4**: Just to add to this, stud.io is the typical go-to software these days. LDD is (in my opinion) simpler to use, but has pretty much been abandoned by Lego at this point. Both softwares are liable to change now that Lego owns BrickLink.  
  > **username_0**: thank you for your answer! do you know if it is possible also to work in stud.io with other 3d-files or only with bricks that are pre-integrated? So if i would have designed new bricks could i use them too?  
  > **username_5**: I would suggest adding LDCad as an option. It was a go to software prior Stud.io for those who prefer LDraw parts. However it is still quite good. Although might be preffered by people with more challenging requirements.  
  > **username_3**: @fabian I don't know if stud.io supports custom pieces, but LDraw [certainly does](http://www.melkert.net/LDCad/faq#faq_unoflib).  
  > **username_2**: I generally agree with both Alex and MindS1, but overall, I think the initial question might fall into a realm of too many varied opinions to be able to choose just one program. If someone was building a shed in real life, how can someone say that the best tool to use is a hammer? How does one cut wood with a hammer? how does one strike nails with a saw?  I've used LDD for years, so LDD is my main go to, but I use other software also to perform tasks LDD can't do. I think the original question could be re-worded differently by asking, "What program do you use, and most importantly explain why?  
  > **username_3**: @RinRio-Oki Asking which one is _the best_ would certainly be opinion based. But OP is simply asking about alternatives, and so the question can be answered objectively.  
  > **username_2**: @  zovits supports GoFundMonica Fair enough.  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_2 on 2019-12-02. Score: 6
  
  In the comments you asked,
  
  > ...do you know if it is possible also to work in stud.io with other
  > 3d-files or only with bricks that are pre-integrated? So if i would
  > have designed new bricks could i use them too?...
  
  Looks like *Brinklink* also offers a tweak program to make custom bricks called [*PartDesigner*](https://www.bricklink.com/v3/studio/partdesigner.page), that's able to export right into *Stud.io*. I've never used it, but it might be promising to you.
  
  [![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/Hmiwl.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/Hmiwl.jpg)
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_2 on 2019-12-20. Score: 0
  
  The kinds of software used to design *LEGO MOC* doesn't necessarily have to be solely confined to *Computer Aided Design* programs.
  
  We can get really creative and exploit functions of programs never intended to be used for *MOC* bricking.
  
  Enter: *Adobe Photoshop* - *PS's* main role is a visual graphic editor, but it does something strange if an image is magnified past 400%. *PS* breaks the image down into nice square shaped pixels. Perfect for making *LEGO MOCs*.
  
  I use the *PS* squares created in two main ways:
  
  * 1) ***Top View*** pixel creation - Where the scale is a perfect 1:1.
  * 2) ***Side View*** pixel creation - Where two 1x1 plates stacked on top each
    other, almost equaling a *PS* square.
  
    Note: A 2x2 plate stacked on a 2x2 brick makes a nice a square also,
    but this will increase the size of our creation.
  
  Well, anyway, the magnifying function is clearly not intended to brick out an outline, but it works well here.
  
  I'm sure there are many other methods within and outside this specific graphic program to aid us in our build. *PS* does has a pixelation filter, and outside the program there are *LEGO* mosaic makers, but this interesting quirk breaks a solid image into pieces, where with minimum time and effort, a more precise stud length can be quickly counted out.
  
  Speaking of counting, it will also help to know your *LEGO Math* here. So, when using ***Side View***, 3 Plates = 1 Brick. Pixels of the same color can be group and merged into money saving bricks.
  
  Here are two examples of **Top View**.
  
  * [![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/2xXqs.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/2xXqs.jpg)
  
    [![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/8z25G.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/8z25G.jpg)
  
    [![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/ZHYHv.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/ZHYHv.jpg)
  
  Below is an example of one ***Side View*** pixel method I'm *currently* working on.
  
  * [![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/cn4Jq.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/cn4Jq.jpg)
  
    [![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/SdlU8.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/SdlU8.jpg)
  
    [![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/fZxGj.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/fZxGj.jpg)
  
    [![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/pzUtj.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/pzUtj.jpg)
  
    [![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/4ZDIC.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/4ZDIC.jpg)
  
    [![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/yRJtQ.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/yRJtQ.jpg)
  
  
  ---
  
  