The Factory theme was introduced in 2005 and was powered by LEGO Digital Designer (LDD), a free LEGO virtual building program for the computer. Using the LDD people could design their own 3-D LEGO virtual model, and submit it for purchase using the LEGO Shop-at-home. The Factory platform was also designed to allow users to view and purchase other users custom creations. Once ordered, these Factory sets came in special packaging that showed the model as well as all included LEGO elements needed to build the design.
2007 LEGO Sets
For collectors, 2007 proved to be an important milestone for with the release of the Modular Buildings theme which initially included Café Corner (10182-1) and Market Street (10190-1). Also, the Star Wars license with LucasFilms was originally planned to end that year, but is renewed. To celebrate Star Wars' 30th anniversary, LEGO released a free, 14-carat gold C-3PO minifigure. 2007 also saw the discontinuation of a number of themes including Aqua Raiders and Knights' Kingdom II but also so the introduction of the Thomas and Friends theme.