Original author(s) Initial release 2004 | Developer(s) The LEGO Group Development status Active | |
Stable release 4.3.10 / October 6, 2016; 5 months ago (2016-10-06) Operating system | ||
LEGO Digital Designer, or LDD, is a free computer program produced by the LEGO Group as a part of LEGO Design byME. It is available for Mac and Windows platforms. The program allows users to build models using virtual LEGO bricks, in a computer-aided design like manner. Until January 16, 2012, these could be uploaded, along with instructions and a box design, to the LEGO Design byME website, from where the models could be ordered for delivery as a real, packaged set. Users can also take screenshots of their models and store the models on their computer in an .LXF file.
Contents
On January 21, 2016, LEGO announced the project had been defunded, and would not receive additional updates.
In March 2016, a new updated version, 4.3.9, was uploaded.
Features
The program features a palette of bricks and pieces in different colours that can be used to build any model imaginable. Only a subset of the bricks made by LEGO are available for use in regular mode. The more comprehensive LDD Extended mode allows any brick to be put in any color, but these were not available through the Design byMe service. There is also a mode for viewing in which screenshots can be taken and the model can be "exploded". A third mode automatically generates building instructions to an .html file.
LEGO Digital Designer was one of the modeling programs to create THE LEGO MOVIE.
End of model delivery service
On November 9, 2011, Lego announced that the Design byMe service was going to end on January 16, 2012 due to its failure to meet quality expectations and for being too complex. In its absence, custom brick orders have had to be made via the Pick a Brick service. The closing of Design byME has not affected the ability of LDD users to print custom instructions for their models.