Getting started with LEGO® Digital Designer 1.3


Thank you for installing LEGO Digital Designer. This guide will give you a quick overview to help you get started. You may want to print this page for future reference.

LDD launch iconThe basics of LEGO Digital Designer are easy to learn, so as soon as you've read this, you should be ready to go. Just double-click the LEGO Digital Designer icon on your desktop to start building!

The "What's this" toolIf you run into any problems, you can use the Help tool by clicking on What's this and selecting the item on the screen that you want help with. You can also look at the user manual or visit www.lego.com/ldd for more information.


Be creative!

LEGO Digital Designer allows you to create 3D LEGO models on your computer. You can make a virtual version of a real model, build a new one from your imagination, and even download models created by other users from LEGO.com.

Use the View Mode to print or take digital snapshots of your creations. The snapshots will be saved in .JPG format in your "My Documents" folder, ready for you to show off to friends and family.

Your 3D digital models are saved in your "My Documents" folder as .LXF (LEGO Exchange Format) files, so you can share them with friends who have LEGO Digital Designer too!

Building your model for real

Want to make your digital creation a reality? You can visit LEGOLAND or a LEGO Store to purchase the pieces needed to create your virtual model in real LEGO bricks. Please check for availability on LEGO.com.

Using LEGO Pick A Brick to buy parts for your creation

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3
Pick A Brick palette (example) This illustrates the Print Brick List feature Go to the Pick A Brick shop and pick up the pieces you need
Build your own model in LEGO Digital Designer using a Pick A Brick palette of bricks.

Tip! You can also download models from LEGO.com to open in LEGO Digital Designer. If you download a model, make sure that it is created with an appropriate palette. See the user manual for details.

Print the brick list for your model by clicking the Print Brick List button in the function bar (Build Mode only). Take the brick list to your local LEGOLAND Park or LEGO Store and pick the pieces you need.

Note! Check for availability before you go. Also check the Best before date on your brick list. The LEGO Pick A Brick assortment changes over time. The best before date will tell you if your palette matches what is available in the shops.


If your model uses pieces that aren't found in Pick A Brick palettes, you can still build it in reality, since every brick in LEGO Digital Designer is based on a real LEGO part!

You can find out which palette is used in your model by clicking View Palette Info in Build Mode. The palette name is also shown when you print a brick list.

Note that there is an important difference between a real set of bricks and a LEGO Digital Designer brick palette. In a real brick set, there is a specific number of each piece. In LEGO Digital Designer, there is no limit on how many of a particular brick you can use. Depending on the number of bricks you use to make your virtual creation, you may need more than one set of real bricks to build it. Check out the FAQs at LEGO.com for more details.

Ready, set, BUILD!

Now it's time to build! If you have any questions, try the in-game Help Tool (see above). You'll find even more information by clicking the Start button, choosing All Programs, then LEGO Software, and finally LEGO Digital Designer

The user manual will give you a detailed description of all features in LEGO Digital Designer.

The readme file contains system requirements and the latest program information.

Also check out the LEGO Digital Designer Web site for all the latest news and a 3D gallery where you can share your cool creations!

This guide is also available in the LEGO Digital Designer Windows Start menu


© Copyright 2004 The LEGO Group. LEGO, the LEGO logo, the LEGO Brick and the minifigure are trademarks belonging to the LEGO Group.