<p>The most commonly used one is <a href="http://ldd.lego.com/en-us/" rel="noreferrer">Lego Digital Designer</a> (often called LDD).  This has the advantage of being free and quite easy to use, including automatically snapping connections together.  However, it is only available for Windows and Mac.  Also, LEGO has discontinued support for it.</p>

<p>There is a system of programs based on <a href="http://www.ldraw.org/" rel="noreferrer">LDraw</a>.  These programs tend to be harder to use, but much more flexible.  Some of them, like <a href="http://www.leocad.org/" rel="noreferrer">LeoCAD</a>, are fairly user-friendly.</p>

<p>A recent arrival is <a href="http://studio.bricklink.com/v2/build/studio.page" rel="noreferrer">Stud.io</a>.  It's in open beta but seems quite user-friendly.  It also has the advantage that it integrates with <a href="http://www.bricklink.com/" rel="noreferrer">BrickLink</a>.  It will tell you how much a certain part (or your whole model) will typically cost on BrickLink, and if a certain part is unavailable in a certain color.</p>

<p>One caveat is that none of the above solutions has all available parts in it.  Most common parts are available in all three, but some of the less common or older parts are not.  Some parts -- especially the very new, or very specialized parts -- are not available in any of them.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-12-12T16:42:49.097Z
Of those programs listed. Which one is good at creating instructions?
JM Kraemer
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-12-12T17:08:23.883Z
See http://bricks.stackexchange.com/questions/12/do-any-programs-exist-that-allow-you-to-build-your-own-lego-manuals for more info on making your own instructions.
chicks
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-12-12T15:19:53.593Z
2016-12-14T12:14:34.820Z
2016-12-14T12:14:34.820Z
Eric Galluzzo
<p>Another program that you can use that runs in the browser and doesn't require any downloading is <a href="https://www.buildwithchrome.com/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Build With Chrome</a>. 
It allows you to use a bunch of bricks to create a model. You can browse other people's models and create your own. You can save your models by signing into it if you have a Google Account.  </p>

<p>UPDATE: 8/8/19
Unfortunately the website was removed as of March 2019 </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-12-13T21:05:53.380Z
Also see: http://bricks.stackexchange.com/a/2791/789
mcqwerty
CC BY-SA 4.0
2016-12-12T19:55:18.507Z
2019-08-09T03:19:38.580Z
2019-08-09T03:19:38.580Z
William V.
<p>I've seen people use those programs that model out your own LEGO design so you and others can see how it would look. Can I get a list of a few? <strong>Free and safe</strong> are preferable. Thanks!</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-12-12T16:21:29.453Z
See also: [LEGO Digital Designer alternatives](http://bricks.stackexchange.com/q/1867/56)
Zhaph - Ben Duguid
<building><software>
I'm looking for a good LEGO Modeling Program
TacoMageCat
# I'm looking for a good LEGO Modeling Program

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-12-12)

I've seen people use those programs that model out your own LEGO design so you and others can see how it would look. Can I get a list of a few? **Free and safe** are preferable. Thanks!

**Tags:** building, software

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: See also: [LEGO Digital Designer alternatives](http://bricks.stackexchange.com/q/1867/56)  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2016-12-12. Score: 9

The most commonly used one is [Lego Digital Designer](http://ldd.lego.com/en-us/) (often called LDD). This has the advantage of being free and quite easy to use, including automatically snapping connections together. However, it is only available for Windows and Mac. Also, LEGO has discontinued support for it.

There is a system of programs based on [LDraw](http://www.ldraw.org/). These programs tend to be harder to use, but much more flexible. Some of them, like [LeoCAD](http://www.leocad.org/), are fairly user-friendly.

A recent arrival is [Stud.io](http://studio.bricklink.com/v2/build/studio.page). It's in open beta but seems quite user-friendly. It also has the advantage that it integrates with [BrickLink](http://www.bricklink.com/). It will tell you how much a certain part (or your whole model) will typically cost on BrickLink, and if a certain part is unavailable in a certain color.

One caveat is that none of the above solutions has all available parts in it. Most common parts are available in all three, but some of the less common or older parts are not. Some parts -- especially the very new, or very specialized parts -- are not available in any of them.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: Of those programs listed. Which one is good at creating instructions?  
> **username_4**: See http://bricks.stackexchange.com/questions/12/do-any-programs-exist-that-allow-you-to-build-your-own-lego-manuals for more info on making your own instructions.  

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### Answer by username_5 on 2016-12-12. Score: 0

Another program that you can use that runs in the browser and doesn't require any downloading is [Build With Chrome](https://www.buildwithchrome.com/).
It allows you to use a bunch of bricks to create a model. You can browse other people's models and create your own. You can save your models by signing into it if you have a Google Account.

UPDATE: 8/8/19
Unfortunately the website was removed as of March 2019

> **Comments:**
> **username_6**: Also see: http://bricks.stackexchange.com/a/2791/789  

---

