Models stored locally or in Dropbox, can be accessed from the Start Screen. Models are listed alphabetically by file name. Selecting a model will open the model for viewing.

"Get more models..." Repository

At the top of the model list is the "Get more models..." item which, if you have a network connection, will take you to a repository that is periodically updated with new models. Tapping a particular model will download the model to the device and open it.

Managing Models on the Device

Models stored locally on the device can be managed with the Edit button. Once in editing mode, models can be removed from the device.

BrickPad allows you to view and manipulate the model. You can rotate, pan, and zoom the model with simple gestures.

• To rotate the model use a one finger drag.
  
• To pan the model use a two finger drag.
  
• To rotate the model around the viewing direction use a two finger rotation. The rotation will start after a certain threshold.
  
• To zoom in on the model use a two finger spread. If the "Fit" HUD is displayed, releasing the fingers will fit the model to the center of the screen.
  
• To zoom out on the model use a two finger pinch. If the "Fit" HUD is displayed, releasing the fingers will fit the model to the center of the screen.
  

Note that the pan, rotate and zoom two finger gestures can be done in combination.

Standard viewing orientations such as front, top, and left can be achieved by double tapping various areas of the screen. For viewing orientations which have an alternate orientation, double tapping again will switch to the alternate angle.

• Front and back viewing orientations can be achieved by double tapping the center portion of the screen. Double tapping again will show the back view.
  
• The left viewing angle can be achieved by double tapping the left portion of the screen.
  
• The right viewing angle can be achieved by double tapping the right portion of the screen.
  
• The top viewing angle can be achieved by double tapping the top portion of the screen.
  
• The bottom viewing angle can be achieved by double tapping the bottom portion of the screen.
  
• Isometric viewing orientations can be achieved by double tapping the appropriate corner of the screen. Double tapping again will show the alternate viewing angle.
  
  
  
  
  

Resetting to the Default View.

To reset the viewing angle to the default, double tap and hold in the center portion of the screen.

BrickPad allows you to go through the building steps of the model just like a set of directions. Tapping the screen once will reveal the top and bottom toolbars if they are hidden. The bottom toolbar contains a slider and an first and last step button.

Parts of the current step are indicated by a neon green edge highlight.

• Tapping the button will show the first building step.
• Tapping the button will show the last building step.
• The slider allow you to go to any building step.
• If you have enabled "Set Start Step" in Settings, a second thumb control on the slider will allow you to set the starting step. If the "Relative Start" option is set, then the start step will stay relative to the current step as the current step is changed.
• Tapping or swiping right on the left side of the screen will go to the previous building step. *
• Tapping or swiping left on the right side of the screen will go to the next building step. *

* Note that because the swipe gesture is similar to the one finger drag gesture, the swipe gesture should either start off screen or on the extreme edges of the screen.

Tapping the button allows you view various information about the displayed model such as author, number of parts, number of steps, etc.

Note that the number steps displayed is the total number of assembly steps which include the steps of sub parts and models.

Tapping the Parts List button in the Tools menu will show a complete parts list for the model.

The Parts List shows the total number of parts for the model, an image of the part, the quantity, the part name and the color. The numbers in parentheses are the LDraw part and color numbers.

Tapping the Settings button in the Tools menu allows you to set various behaviors of BrickPad.

Coordinate System Display

Axes

Display the coordinate system axes.

Viewing Projection

Perspective

View the model with a perspective viewing projection.

Orthographic

View the model with a orthographic viewing projection.

Model Display

Model Axes

Display the model's coordinate system axes.

Bounding Box

Display the model's boudning box.

Line Width

Set the edge line width.

Shading

Use shading when displaying the model.

Instruction Steps

Set Start Step

Allows the setting of the assembly starting step.

Relative Step

The starting step will stay relative to the current step as the current step changes.

Dropbox

Link to Dropbox Account

Allows you to link to your Dropbox account.

Unlink from Dropbox Account

Allows you to unlink your Dropbox account.

View Dropbox Status

Check the official status of the Dropbox service.

There are several ways to get models into BrickPad.

Dropbox

Instead of storing and managing your models locally, you have the option of linking with your Dropbox account. Linking to your account will create a BrickPad folder in the Dropbox Apps folder (<Dropbox Folder>/Apps/BrickPad). Models and folders stored in the BrickPad folder will be synched to your device.

Note that when using Dropbox, a network connection is required in order to access files and folders for the first time.

iTunes

With iTunes File Sharing you can upload models to BrickPad using iTunes.

1. Connect your device to your computer.
2. Open iTunes.
3. Select your device in the left hand pane of iTunes.
4. Select the Apps tab in the main section of iTunes.
5. Scroll down to the bottom of the Apps tab.
6. Select BrickPad in the Apps pane.
7. Click the Add... button in the Document pane.
8. Navigate and select the desired models.
9. Click the Open button to add the selected models to the device.