ROBOTMAK3RS Blog

Today I've published version 1.5 of Lemon on my web site for Download . Lemon is a Java -based application with a graphical user interface that allows for comparing two LEGO® models that are stored in LDraw or LDD format; the common parts are listed as well as the ones that are contained in one of the models only. It's also possible to check a model against the NXT Retail Kit or (new to 1.5) against the NXT Education Kit - comes in handy if you want to know whether a model can be built with one of these kits. Moreover, the new version supports multi module models now and contains numerous bugfixes. Give it a try, please, and provide feedback and proposals. Addendum: If someone is encountering problems with Lemon, please do not hesitate to contact me via the contact page on my web site.

I am sorry I have not blogged for a few months - I have been really busy with part authoring a book on LEGO MINDSOTRMS NXT coming soon. More on that in coming weeks! If you visit the LEGO’s NXTLog web site regularly you would notice that increasing numbers of models now have a LXF file created with LEGO Digital Designer (LDD). LDD is a great computer aided design tool for designing your robots and creating building instructions for others. LDD has all the parts that comes with NXT Retail kit. This week, there are some new library added to LEGO Digital Designer. The latest library update now includes the TECHNIC Snowmobile (including the tracks!!!), so now you have even more elements to work from. Last time I blogged about LDD six months ago [see link ], LEGO had just added the PF motors and other PF elements as part of the LEGO Creator 4957 Ferris Wheel and the cool 4958 Monster Dino - which was great. I hope to see parts from more and more TECHNIC models added to the library. Since I...

Beginners Guide to NXT Sumo: Robot sumo is one of the fastest growing sports around. Now if you own a LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT, you can join in as well. If you still don't feel the urge to get down to designing your own Sumo robot that is going to kick butt in the sumo ring against contestants all over the world, then this might help. This beginners Guide also has a video that walks you through getting your model ready for NXTLog in five simple steps. Beginers Sumo Guide on LEGO web site . If you checkout the five step video, you would notice a small clip of a Sumo robot in action with another robot. If you want to see the complete battle, check out this YouTube video: And you still have a few days left if you have not started your Sumo robot. Good luck!

A new version of LEGO Digital Designer (Version 2.3) just been released. I just been playing with it - for me the most coolest addition is the PF Elements !!! A quick look at the boxes included shows some new additions - the most notable ones are the LEGO Creator 4957 Ferris Wheel and the cool 4958 Monster Dino. Thanks LEGO for listening. Now we can include PF motors in our NXT robotic models. It is a shame they still dont have the IR-Lnk though - you have to use a light sensor as a place holder until the IR-Link makes it to the pallette! Why not try it and see if you like it? Download it from here Tim