Parts Library

LeoCAD is completely compatible with LDraw's Parts Library. In fact, the library included in the installer packages is just a zip archive of LDraw's library without any changes.

This is done mostly to simplify things so new users don't need to download and install a separate file or worry about updating their library. Many LeoCAD users are young people without a lot of computer experience so the setup process is kept as simple as possible.

At the same time, there are experienced users who like to maintain their own libraries with unofficial parts that they create or download from the internet. Those people can still use their LDraw library with LeoCAD, all they need to do is tell LeoCAD where to find it.

Note that there is a performance advantage for using a zip file for the library, the application will take less time to start and models will load faster.

Using a Custom Parts Library

There are several ways to specify a custom library folder or file (in order of priority):

• Use the -l command line option followed by the library path
• Set the LEOCAD_LIB environment variable
• Enter a new library path in the Preferences Dialog

Note that LeoCAD can use either a zip file or a regular folder for its library. Here are some examples:

Unofficial Parts

You can easily use unnoficial LDraw parts with LeoCAD:

If you're using LeoCAD's default library then you'll need to download the current unofficial parts from http://www.ldraw.org/library/unofficial/ldrawunf.zip, place ldrawunf.zip in the same folder where library.bin is located and restart LeoCAD. The next time the application starts it will detect ldrawunf.zip and load it automatically.

If you are using your own custom library with loose files then all you need to do is make sure you update or delete parts.lst and the parts should be visible next time you start LeoCAD.

Default Library Path

The default library path is different for each OS:

Windows: The application looks for library.bin in the same folder where LeoCAD.exe is located.

Linux: This is set at compile time but it's usually either '/usr/share/leocad/library.bin' or '/usr/local/share/leocad/library.bin'.

FreeBSD: The default is '/usr/local/share/leocad/library.bin'.

Mac OSX: The 'library.bin' file in the Contents/Resources folder inside the application bundle.

On Linux you can set the install path prefix at compile time by passing it to qmake:

This will change the default library path to /my/path/leocad/library.bin