Examples¶

The examples/ directory in the repository contains runnable scripts that build LDraw models with pyldraw3. Each one writes LDraw text to standard output, so you run an example and redirect it into a .ldr file that you can open in an LDraw viewer such as LDView, LeoCAD, or Stud.io:

python examples/figures.py > figures.ldr

All of the examples assume you have already downloaded and generated a library (ldraw download --yes && ldraw generate --yes) so that the ldraw.library.* imports resolve. See the Guide for setup.

What each script demonstrates¶

Script	Demonstrates
`figure.py`	The simplest minifigure. Builds a single `Person`, calling `head`, `hat`, `torso`, `hips`, arms, hands, and legs, then adds a few `"LIGHT"` sources. The best starting point for understanding the figure API.
`diver.py`	Minifigure accessories. A scuba diver assembled from `DiverMask`, `HairMale`, `Airtanks`, `Flipper` shoes, and a movie camera held in one hand — with the whole `Person` tilted using a rotated orientation matrix.
`brothers.py`	Grouping and group transforms. A minifig (cap, revolver) is built inside a `Group`, then the group's `position` and `matrix` are changed and every piece is re-emitted at the new placement — the core pattern for moving an assembled sub-scene as a unit.
`figures.py`	Multiple figures in one scene. Two spacemen posed differently (including the `hips_and_legs` convenience), placed on a `Baseplate16X16` with a crystal rock prop.
`spaceman.py`	Procedural generation. A grid of spacemen, each given randomized head/limb rotations from a seeded `random`, showing how to drive figure construction from a loop.
`stairs.py`	Reusing a group to duplicate geometry. A staircase is built once inside a `Group`, then repositioned and rotated in a loop to emit a spiralling tower of staircases — plus a top-hatted figure holding a magnifying glass.
`buggy.py`	Materials and a full vehicle. A space buggy/rover built from wheels, tyres, slopes, and a steering wheel using chrome, rubber, and metallic colours, driven by a seated minifig, on tiled baseplates.
`moon_landing.py`	A complete diorama with group duplication. An astronaut and a rover on a `Baseplate32X32WithCraters`; the rover `Group` is emitted once, then re-placed with a new position and orientation to appear twice, with a second seated figure added.
`mandelbrot.py`	Algorithmic brick artwork. Renders the Mandelbrot set as a grid of `Brick1X1` pieces, mapping each cell's escape-iteration count to a colour — an example of computing a model rather than hand-placing it.

Two construction styles¶

The examples use the classic figure/Group API, where each print(...) emits one object's LDraw text as it is built. Newer code can instead assemble a Model and save it in one step (Model.from_pieces(...), model.add_group(...), model.save(...)); see the Guide and the top-level README for that style. Both produce the same LDraw output — pick whichever fits your program.