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.

"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

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)

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!