
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
2007 introduced the Modular Buildings series with Café Corner (10182) and Market Street (10190), defining a new era of advanced architectural builds. LEGO Star Wars celebrated its 30th anniversary, commemorated by a limited 14-karat gold C-3PO minifigure. New or refreshed themes included Aqua Raiders, Mars Mission, and a modernized Castle line, while Knights’ Kingdom II and the 9V Train system were retired. DUPLO added Thomas & Friends, extending LEGO’s preschool range.