Anyone recommend any garden design software?

Have just done my first paid for design. Not much of an artist, but
wondering about some software should any more jobs come up.

Trevor
East Yorkshire

The only software that's will deliver a professional job are AutoCAD Or TurboCad. We've never found anything else that works.

Both packages are excellent but a step learning curve to get used to using them.

"Trevor" wrote in message
...
Anyone recommend any garden design software?

Have just done my first paid for design. Not much of an artist, but
wondering about some software should any more jobs come up.

I am not a garden designer and I have never used garden design software, but
I know Sketchup is used by some for 3d topography and for schematic trees
and shrubs. It will show the sunlight and shadows correctly also. For 2d
drawings I would guess any technical drawing program would handle scales,
hatch patterns, symbols and blocks.

Tim W

Not come across that one Tim. Have downloaded and will have a play, many thanks.

Trevor wrote:
Anyone recommend any garden design software?
Have just done my first paid for design. Not much of an artist, but
wondering about some software should any more jobs come up.

Hello Trevor! I have been looking for a software too and I've seen
hundreds ... It's so hard to find the right one and judging by what
other people say about them sometimes you just can't make a decision.
However, the best review of perhaps 50 packages came from the one and
only Monty Don and it's 3D Landscape Professional from Sierra (EAN:
5032197000506). It's only 17 quids ... but it has the best review even
though someone says that it's not really 'professional' and also it
looked like it was for the american market rather than the english one.
I suppose they were talking about the house's design - but overall it
scored well.

I'm just about to start a garden design course at the chelsea school of
design (long distance learner) and as well as studying autocad with one
of my colleague, I thought I'll find something fun (because autocad is
a bit of a headache ...). I'll keep looking and if I find something
brilliant, I'll let you know.

What was the job?!? You can take this via email if you want ;o)

Martin wrote:
Autocad is not for amateurs on a tight budget. EUR1450 in NL.

Yep. Here, you're looking for a seat at about £2.5K. We have 3 here -
I might as well use it while it's free )

I'm going to look at mcneel.com for Acurender and Rhino. Apparently
it's cheaper than the above and much more pleasant. The only problem
all the plants are from the USA and you cannot import images into it.
Nor does it have layers. I'm asking perhaps too much but I know what I
want!!!!

Do you design Martin?!

On 25/11/06 21:59, in article
, "Trevor"
wrote:

Anyone recommend any garden design software?

Have just done my first paid for design. Not much of an artist, but
wondering about some software should any more jobs come up.

Hello, Trevor, nice to see you posting! The software question has come up
often on urg and the overall consensus seems to be that none of it is up to
much in terms of helping oneself to plan a garden, so it may not be very
helpful to a client, either. Overall, a piece of paper and a pencil and
some actual walking around the garden describing where you envisage things
being planted and why, is more 'hands on' for the client and less clinical,
somehow. OTOH, a list of plants that you propose for their garden and where
they will be planted, along with height and spread, scent and colour,
engages most peoples' attention very well and gives them a chance to object,
approve, change etc. without being intimidated.
If you think your clients will absolutely insist on computerised designs to
prove your professionalism, I think you need to talk to landscape designers
of some expertise and long-standing who will be better able to advise you
than the 'back of a fag packet and stub of pencil' approach. ;-) I would
remind you (unnecessarily, I know, in your case) that many designers know
absolutely nothing whatsoever about plants............ ;-))
--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
http://www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/

"Sacha" wrote in message
...
On 25/11/06 21:59, in article
, "Trevor"
wrote:

Anyone recommend any garden design software?

Have just done my first paid for design. Not much of an artist, but
wondering about some software should any more jobs come up.

Hello, Trevor, nice to see you posting! The software question has come
up
often on urg and the overall consensus seems to be that none of it is up
to
much in terms of helping oneself to plan a garden, so it may not be very
helpful to a client, either. Overall, a piece of paper and a pencil and
some actual walking around the garden describing where you envisage things
being planted and why, is more 'hands on' for the client and less
clinical,
somehow. OTOH, a list of plants that you propose for their garden and
where
they will be planted, along with height and spread, scent and colour,
engages most peoples' attention very well and gives them a chance to
object,
approve, change etc. without being intimidated.
If you think your clients will absolutely insist on computerised designs
to
prove your professionalism, I think you need to talk to landscape
designers
of some expertise and long-standing who will be better able to advise you
than the 'back of a fag packet and stub of pencil' approach. ;-) I would
remind you (unnecessarily, I know, in your case) that many designers know
absolutely nothing whatsoever about plants............ ;-))
--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
http://www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/


Thanks Sacha. I too prefer the hands on chat with the client to the getting
it on paper, and I'm no artist, hence a look at the software, but it may be
back to the Titchmarch pencil and watercolour approach!

"An Oasis" wrote in message
...

Tim W Wrote:
"Trevor" wrote in message
...-
Anyone recommend any garden design software?
[...]
I know Sketchup is used by some for 3d topography and for schematic
trees
and shrubs. It will show the sunlight and shadows correctly also.
[...]

Not come across that one Tim. Have downloaded and will have a play,
many thanks.

It is good fun, very intuitive. If you want to do gardens you will find very
few trees and plants in the package but there are many freely available. Go
to the Sketchup site and the user forums to find them.

Tim W

Martin wrote:
My son is an Autocad expert amongst other things.

Ah! Another cad monkey ;o)

He also uses Sketchup for work.
He's located somewhere to the south east of you.
The only thing I ever designed was software.

That's good enough for me! Having looked at Rhino, it's far too
'object' specific. My course wants me to work on paper with pencil
first - but I'll spend some time on cad for projects over a certain
scale. I have 27 projects to complete in 2 years - I'm sure I'll find
the opportunity. In the meantime if you come across something
interesting ... think of me )

Martin wrote:
Ah! Another cad monkey ;o)
No way, an architect.

Hmmm.... all our archis here are monkeys but then they're very young
;o) Though we've got a lot on atm.

When he was about 15 a careers consultant visited his school, at the
time my son wasn't interested in any sort of work and answered no to
almost every question. The result was that he was recommended to study
to be a landscape architect. Yes we laughed too.

It was the same for my husband and many of our archi/landscaper's
friends. One of my favourite story is from a very grand archi friend
who just at 15 said at the top of his head when asked what he wanted to
do, 'architect', and without even knowing what it was entirely about.
This is interesting and I have no fear about my own sons; one wants to
be a vet and the other a computer game designer. I just say 'why not
indeed' and smile )

Martin wrote:
It's odd that none of the over 30s archis can use any software tools
at all not even MS Office.

Photoshop seems to be a problem with our older archi here - but then
again he doesn't use capital letters ...

Hi all



I'm a freelance architectural technician (CAD monkey) who's worked for a
couple of landscape architects in my time



If the OP wants to collaborate with other professions then in the first
instance AutocadLT is a good choice for pure line drawings



http://www.autodesk.co.uk/adsk/servl...932&id=6669837



It's only 2D but way cheaper than the 3D version plus you can exchange
files with "most" other CAD platforms. You can import scanned maps/images
and draw over those for a bit of a sketchy feel if you want to.



Vectorworks also seems to have a good fanbase in landscaping - or maybe that's
just my imagination? I don't think they have a "Lite" version though



SketchUp is a good alternative, gives you the advantage of 3D capability,
rendering/texturing, sun paths, avi output. You can also import/export
dwg&dxf files which again means you can talk with most other software.



If it was me starting from scratch I'd probably go with SketchUp first, I
don't find it as easy as AcadLT for pure 2D drawing but then Acad runs in my
damn blood :-(



They have fantastic online forums and training videos so download the free
version and have a play :-)



Failing that there are a number of open source options to look at



Let us know if you want more info



HTH



Tim
--
http://www.timdenning.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/

Tim wrote:

Vectorworks also seems to have a good fanbase in landscaping - or
maybe that's just my imagination? I don't think they have a "Lite"
version though


£1000 approx, but the dog's!

Check out the on-line demo.

pk

Tim wrote:

Vectorworks also seems to have a good fanbase in landscaping - or
maybe that's just my imagination? I don't think they have a "Lite"
version though


£1000 approx, but the dog's!

Check out the on-line demo.

pk

Hmmm £300 ish cheaper if you roll back a version
http://www.cadpointdirect.co.uk/webs...me.php?cat=546
That's getting to be real value for money I think

Choices choices........

Tim