LEGO also runs a website where designs can be shared, for instance "Computer Problems"[2].
Here are some screen shots of the software in action[3] and the source of the design file[4] - ".lxf" files are just zip archives containing a preview png image and an xml file specifying the LEGO parts and their location in the assembly.
It would be interesting to know how this assembly planner was implemented: how does the 'compiler' decide on the order of operations? It seems to have heuristics for breaking the design into a series discrete of submodules that can be assembled independently, then combined at the end, as opposed to a simple linear strategy. Presumably the shape of the assembly tree is optimized for human "execution" - not too broad, nor too deep.
In particular, I wonder what kind of human the instructions are optimized for, if at all: children, or adults? In other words, are there some assembly strategies that adults prefer (more complex subassemblies for instance) that children are less successful at following?
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[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lego_Digital_Designer
[2]: http://ldd.us.lego.com/en-us/gallery/51887f3e-1474-4411-9dcb...
LEGO has zero incentive to crack down on this since the only way you can buy the book is with the set itself. Allowing fans to relive old sets is in no way hindering sales. Most likely then opposite.
They can be the leader, but the window that they can take advantage of this is closing quickly. A 300 dollar printer id not that big of an investment and once you have it you can print a big item for about a dollar in plastic.
Lego is something that was passed down to me and I have passed it onto my own children and the amount of blocks we have continue to grow.
I'll pass down the schematics which are more durable than even plastic.
These accessories command relatively high prices and cater to a market not covered by Lego itself.
Edit: okay, they don't have a PDF, but they do have page by page scans. So that's something, at least.
They have the original Technic sets though, that's pretty awesome.
