jLug Installation Guide

OK. There are three things you'll probably have to install before getting to jLug...

Java - If you don't already have one of the latest versions of Sun's Java, Standard Edition (J2SE), then you can download it from Sun's web site. Get the latest stable release (i.e. not Release Candidates - Java3D may not work with those). If you don't intend to write any Java programs, just get the Runtime Environment. The SDK contains all the other bits-n-bobs needed to create Java software. There's a version for Linux at Blackdown's site

Java3D - This adds a Java library for 3D graphics. Version 1.3 or later is required, if you're using jLug1.2 or later, as it includes support for transparent colours (sorting transparent facets, to be precise). For PCs and Solaris boxes, there are versions using OpenGL or DirectX, so you can take your pick. Again, it can be downloaded from Sun's site. However, at the time of writing, you'll need to register as 1.3 is still a beta version. Registration is free and only takes a minute.

If you don't want to register, version 1.2 can be downloaded from Sun's site. But you'll only be able to run jLug 1.1.

For either version you'll need to pick a suitable format. If you don't intend writting any Java3D software, just pick one of the Runtine for the JRE versions. If you're using a PC, and your video card supports it, then pick the OpenGL version. For Linux systems, once more, a trip to Blackdown is in order.

LDraw Parts List - LDraw is the original Lego(tm) modelling software. Created by the late James Jessiman, it includes a full set of data files describing all the different Lego(tm) bricks. As of version 1.3, jLug can download and install these part files for you. See the jLug section for details.

Pre-version 1.3 you will need to download and unzip the base set of part files, and then the updated part files from LDraw's parts list page. This page has incremental updates and a complete update, containing every part modified since 1997. Get the complete update the first time around. It doesn't matter which directory they are installed into, as long as both go into the same one.
Once that's installed, run the mklist.exe program that was included with the part files. This should generate a file called parts.lst. It can also be download.

jLug - Download the latest release and unzip the files into a suitable directory.

Version 1.3
Run jLug: java -jar jLug.jar

Select the Tools->Install Part Files menu to display the installation dialog. Press the Install button in the Base Files panel, to download and install the base part files. Press the Install button in the Full Install panel, to download and install the remaining part files. Then press the Close button and there should be a long list of parts in the main window. You are now ready to play!

Pre-version 1.3
Copy the parts.lst file into the directory you unzipped jLug.

Run jLug: java -jar jLug.jar

Select the File->Preferences menu to display the preferences dialog. Here you need to enter the three directories into which the part files were emptied. Wherever they where unzipped to there should be:
LDraw\Parts
LDraw\Parts\s
LDraw\P
Add those directories, giving the full path name. Finally, set the colour definitions file. This is the colour.ini file which should be in the jLug directory.

Restart jLug and you should now have a full list of parts down the left-hand side. You're ready to go!

If you've got it all working congratulations!!.