Lego Digital Designer
LEGO Digital Designer (LDD) is a freeware computer program produced by the Lego Group as a part of LEGO Design byME.[2][3] It is available for macOS and Windows. 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.
Building a creation in the program | |
Developer(s) | The Lego Group |
---|---|
Initial release | 2004 |
Stable release | 4.3.12
/ November 18, 2019[1] |
Operating system | Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 10 mac OS X 10.1 or higher |
Size | 276 - 285 MB |
Available in | English, German |
Type | Computer-aided design |
License | Freeware |
Website | www |
On January 21, 2016, LEGO announced the project had been defunded, and would not receive additional updates.[4] However, in March 2016, a new updated version, 4.3.9, was uploaded. The latest version, 4.3.12 was uploaded in late 2019 and is currently the only version available.
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, and a few more bricks to be used, but these were not available through the LEGO 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 the main modeling program used to create the Lego Movie franchise.
End of model delivery service
On November 9, 2011, LEGO declared 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.[5]
See also
- LDraw
- MLCAD
References
- "LEGO Digital Designer 4.3.12.0 Download for Windows / Old Versions / FileHorse.com". www.filehorse.com. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
- "LEGO.com Digital Designer Virtual Building Software - Download". © 2011 The LEGO Group. 2011. Retrieved 2012-01-20.
- "The Lego Group Lego Digital Designer 2.0 - reviews - Software and Services - Education - PC World Australia". © 2011 IDG Communications. ABN 14 001 592 650. 2011. Retrieved 2012-01-20.
- "LEGO Digital Designer officially defunded and unsupported [News] | The Brothers Brick". The Brothers Brick. 2016-01-21. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
- "Changes to Design byME in January". Lego. 2011-10-09. Retrieved 2011-11-17.