What software was used to make the LEGO Movie?

The CG was done by a company called Animal Logic.

They used LEGO Digital Designer, a free computer program which allows users to build models using virtual LEGO bricks, in a computer-aided design (CAD) like manner. This allowed them to get high precision models and also the required bricks per model.

The created LEGO Digital Designer (LDD) files were then converted into a single mesh ('shell') to remove hidden geometry, unlike the original LDD models which consisted of unique bricks. These meshes where used to build the scenes.

The bricks themselves were separately modeled in Maya, with asset and layout builds achieved in Maya and XSI. They observed real used Lego to make the meshes and bricks look used/worn out (they even modeled bite marks on some bricks).

To get a more photo realistic look they again observed real Lego and used this information to place light sources tactically throughout the scene, enhancing the tear and wear look of the Lego. Furthermore, to mimic to stop motion they used virtual steadicams; the camera movement was then done using key framing.

As conclusion they used the following software:

• The Lego Digital Designer
• Maya
• XSI

Source and more info: http://www.animallogic.com/Studios/Work/The-LEGO%C2%AE-Movie

I doubt anyone on this forum knows exactly what was used, but typically it is a host of products that combine to produce the finished movie.

I found this article which describes the software used in Avatar. The list includes:

• Autodesk Maya (most shots)
• Pixar Renderman for Maya
• Autodesk SoftImage XSI
• Luxology Modo (model design, e.g. the Scorpion)
• Lightwave (low-res realtime environments)
• Houdini (Hell’s Gate scenes, interiors)
• ZBrush (creature design)
• Autodesk 3d design max (space shots, control room screens and HUD renderings)
• Autodesk MotionBuilder (for real-time 3d visualisations)
• Eyeon Fusion (image compositing)
• The Foundry Nuke Compositor (previz image compositing)
• Autodesk Smoke (color correction)
• Autodesk Combustion (compositing)
• Massive (vegetation simulation)
• Mudbox (floating mountains)
• Avid(video editing)
• Adobe After Effects (compositing, real-ime visualizations)
• PF Track (motion tracking, background replacement)
• Adobe Illustrator (HUD and screens layout)
• Adobe Photoshop (concept art, textures)
• Adobe Premiere (proofing, rough compositing with AE)
• many tools developed in-house
• countless plugins for each platform, some of them Ocula for Nuke, Ktakatoa for 3ds max, Sapphire for Combustion/AE.