Method of builidng or customizing a virtual project

A computer-implemented method of building a virtual project, comprising:

• providing a user interface to a user, the user interface including a new project initiation button configured to be executed by the user to start building a virtual project;
• displaying a list of initial components to the user, wherein each component included in the list of initial components can be connected with other components to start building the virtual project;
• receiving, from the user, a selection of at least one starting component from the list of initial components;
• displaying the at least one starting component in the user interface, wherein the at least one starting component displayed in the user interface includes at least one portion configured to connect with another component;
• displaying an expansion tab in the user interface adjacent the at least one portion of the at least one starting component configured to connect with another component, wherein executing the expansion tab is configured to generate a list of compatible parts for the at least one portion of the at least one starting component;
• displaying the list of compatible parts to the user, wherein each compatible part included in the list of compatible parts is configured to connect with the at least one portion of the at least one starting component;
• receiving a signal from the user indicating a selected compatible part from the list of compatible parts;
• displaying the selected compatible part connected with the at least one portion of the at least one starting component in the user interface, wherein the displayed selected compatible part connected with the at least one portion of the at least one starting component represents a partially built virtual project;
• iteratively displaying one or more additional expansion tabs about the partially built virtual project and one or more corresponding additional lists of compatible parts for each of the one or more additional expansion tabs;
• receiving a signal from the user that the virtual project is complete;
• saving the completed virtual project in a computer memory;
• and
• generating a digital parts list for building the completed virtual project after receiving the signal from the user that the virtual project is complete, wherein the digital parts list is executable to purchase each part included in the digital parts list.