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09/17/2005: "Mini Software Review: LEGO Digital Designer"
I found a link to the LEGO Digital Designer on Andrew's blog and decided to give it a spin. While it's conceptually very cool, the actual application itself is a bit kludgy and awkward.
It's easy to get started and actually "make something," but the default piece sets are limited; you only get x many of each piece. Why place artificial limits on users? I got the idea that it might be possible to create your own custom piece sets, but it wasn't immediately obvious, and since the overall app leaves a lot to be desired, I just didn't feel it was worth the effort to futz with. Overall, the application feels "dumbed down" to be useful to the under-10 crowd. I'm pretty certain, however, that the under-10 crowd is more saavy and capable than this software gives them credit for being, and they're likely more than capable of dealing with a more robust application.
The absolutely genius part of the application is that once you create a LEGO model, you can view building instructions (which didn't seem to work for me), and print out a parts list, which you can buy from LEGO's online store. Truly brilliant marketing/selling. No, I'm not kidding or being sarcastic... it's quite a brilliant way to go about developing sales. Provide entertainment and value; make it simple to purchase customized building sets. That's this piece of software's best feature, hands down.
An annoyance however, that I believe is tied to this brilliant marketing, is that pieces in the software are only available in the manufactured colors. So, if you want a black rocket fin piece, sorry. I can understand the design decision, but just because I understand it doesn't mean I have to like or agree with it. Nothing looks lamer that rockets built from non-matching components.
Overall, the application is worth a download to check out and play with, but I don't think it's something I'll end up using more than a few times, and that just for its novelty value. Well, I'm going to forward a link to it to the marketing guy at work, since he'll appreciate the overall concept, and I'll be touting it as a good example of how to build smart selling into a software application. 
There are other software LEGO design packages (not necessarily created/approved by LEGO) that are apparently pretty nifty, and maybe some day I'll get around to checking some of them out. Here's a quicky list, in no particular order: Mike's LEGO CAD, LDraw, Track Draw (for LEGO train track layouts), and LPub.
While the software representation of LEGO building is really hip, nothing compares to the tactile feel of the physical bricks themselves... especially when stepping on one during the middle of the night on the way to the bathroom.
