LEGO Digital Designer for Windows

Build models using virtual bricks

The Lego Group developed LEGO Digital Designer as a design program for Windows and Mac OS X. It is free software that allows creators to create models using virtual LEGO bricks. Designers will notice that the interface and user experience are similar to computer-aided designing in that users will receive instructions and a box design. The platform can also be used in conjunction with LEGO Design by ME, where you will find additional instructions as well as completed boxes. Each designer can capture a screen of their final product and store it in an LDD file extension.

The LEGO Digital Designer opens with a Welcome Screen that includes the following themes: LEGO Digital Designer, LEGO Mindstorms and LEGO Digitial Designer Extended. LDD allows you build your model with a limited number of bricks, while LDD Extended gives you unlimited options and colors. Mindstorms is unique in that all parts are sourced from a specific robot set. LDD is optimized to work with mouse controls. Each theme can be operated in one of three modes: View Mode, Building Guide Mode, or Build Mode.

Select the Build Mode to start building. You will find all the tools you need to select, move, color and rotate your bricks. You can use hotkeys to select specific tools. The program also has a point and shoot UX. The H key can be used to select the Hinge tool, for example. This tool is used to rotate bricks that are connected via a hinge or single stud connection. It can be used in conjunction with the Hinge Align Tool, which is responsible for connecting two points.

The Hinge tool, which allows you to select a hinged item and move it in different directions, is the most dynamic tool in the program. Any element you choose can be moved with your mouse or your Arrow keys. Rotating in multiple directions is possible. The final position will be indicated with a green arrow. The Hinge wheel is available in addition to the Hinge Align and Hinge Tool. This can be used to make circular motions, or you can snap the rotation in increments up to 45 degrees.

Each model created in LEGO Digital Designer comes with its own building palette. It has three tabs: the Brick palette, Group palette and the Template palette. The Brick palette allows you to create unlimited amounts of bricks. This is not to confused with LEGO Digital Designer Extended, which allows you unlimited color options for bricks regardless of their design. You can filter bricks using LEGO sets or search for bricks by color. You can search for a specific brick by entering the word in the search box.

You can create a group of bricks using the Grouping palette. This makes it easier to find bricks you need frequently, such as roofs, car wheels, and wings. Each group has a preview of its contents or a thumbnail. Templates are a collection of groups. This feature is useful when you need to build the same foundation for a different project.

LEGO Digital Designer is an ideal program for hobbyists and designers who love LEGO bricks. This platform allows you explore new and innovative ways to build LEGO pieces without having to search for them. Although the program may seem overwhelming to a young user, the tools are easy to use. With enough practice, anyone can create a project using LDD.