The models of the bricks are all created and can be dragged and dropped where the builder wants them. LDD is really less of a modeling program and more of an assembly program. The resemblance to other 3D modeling software really end there, though. Anyone who has used a 3D program before will recognize the basic interface and be able to figure out how to use the tools. LEGO Digital Designer is extremely easy to use. There are also forums and a Q&A section on the Web site, but the program is so simple to use that no help is really necessary.

The program includes short help videos which cover the basics of using LEGO Digital Designer. LEGO does provide updates to the program as necessary. While the program is a free download, it is not actually open-source, therefore it cannot be modified by the average techie. Unfortunately for die-hard Linux users there is no Linux version. The LEGO Digital Designer is available on both Windows and OS X. Models can be uploaded to the LEGO Web site or even ordered as sets from the LEGO store. The saving grace when it comes to format is that the program includes a screen shot feature, which saves to a PNG file.

It uses a proprietary format which is really only compatible with itself and other LEGO products. The area of compatibility is where this tool really suffers. As a result, some of the criteria I use to review will make LLD’s rating lower than it otherwise should be. It really is only useful for one thing – designing LEGO models. Strictly speaking, the LEGO Digital Designer is not an all-purpose design tool. This is a niche tool for designing LEGO models and is not for commercial use, so it probably will only be useful to those die-hard LEGO fans like myself. Essentially, this program is a 3D modeling tool for LEGOs. I only recently discovered this handy tool, which, as a LEGO enthusiast, I was excited to see existed.

Lego digital designer software