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Is it possible for plates, tiles or small pieces ? Is it possible to use MLCAD with a Makerbot replicator ? Thanks

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I can't imagine that the tolerances would be as good as LEGO's - would probably be on a par with MegaBloks ;) – Zhaph - Ben Duguid♦ Mar 10 '12 at 13:38
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Yes, but the quality would not be that good. See this (my) answer on a related question. – InkBlend Mar 27 '12 at 4:08
The MakerBot Replicator 2 produces surfaces with 100 micron precision according to MakerBots website. – Roger Nov 28 '12 at 23:21

2 Answers

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You can't directly export from MLCad to the .STL format that the Makerbots require, but there are workflows you could probably set up.

MLCad doesn't really have many export options, so you're better off using something like LeoCAD which can read .ldr files from MLCad, and export as other formats.

  1. Using LeoCAD, add the part you want to print to the scene.
  2. Export as either .3ds or Lightwave .obj, and import into Blender.
  3. Export from Blender as an .stl file (native exporter).
  4. Open the .STL in ReplicatorG and away you go.
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I've heard there are limitations to printing layer-by-layer as parts can be very brittle. How do home-made bricks compare to the real thing, is it even a viable option? – Ambo100♦ Mar 10 '12 at 15:44
Good question - I really doubt that the precision of the printers are anywhere close to actual LEGO bricks. – Zhaph - Ben Duguid♦ Mar 10 '12 at 19:57
up vote 4 down vote

LDview can directly export LDraw files to .STL. But the problem is that the mesh obtained may not be suitable for 3D printing, many of LDraw parts are not "watertight", or contain surfaces inside the part volume (eg. suds are simply lain on flat top surface).

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