Need User Friendly Residential Landscape Design Application

ry, there is an excellent design application you should try…Vectorworks Landmark. It is developed for landscape designers and landscape architects. After using AutoCAD for over 12 years, and now using Vectorworks Landmark, I would highly recommend it. You have the ability to do everything 2D, but in far less time, since it is already illustrated as you progress. If your design requires 3D modeling, you can acheive this with not much more effort, and can produce flyovers and walkthroughs. Some rendering techniques allow you to maintain the hand drawn look, too. You can request an online demo from their website (vectorworks.net) Good luck with your transition!

I use AutoCAD with LandFX. I started out using only AutoCAD it worked well since I was trained on it in school however when it comes to creating legends and such it became quite tedious. Recently I purchased LandFX and it has greatly improved the work flow. It can be added on to many different CAD based programs so you don’t have to spend the $4000 on an Autodesk version. LandFX also offers irrigation design, and customer support that is well above anything I have experienced. I have posted a question on the community board and had it answered by their tech support within minutes.

I’m a Landscape Architect involved in software development and have just created a piece of visualisation software you may perhaps like to check out at http://www.visualise2d.com ? It’s designed for engaging clients and communities at the design level through the use of photo-quality images overlaid in perspective onto any background scene, be it via your camera, Sketchup or AutoCAD. It’s extremely easy to use but produces photo-quality results. You are also free to add your own image cut-outs.

I know I’m plugging my own software, but as it’s so new, I’d be really interested to gain constructive feedback from anyone in this discussion.There’s a video clip on the home page. If it’s of interest to anyone here, drop me a line via the website and I can sort you out with free access for use on a scheme perhaps?

We use Vectorworks and it works well, while keeping is simple to understand. They also offer really good introductory classes all over the country.

Has anyone had issues with submitting ACAD files to clients (municipalities, architects, etc.) when they have used LandFX to prepare a drawing?

No. I just explain to them that there are numerous layers generated by LandFX, and it hasn’t been a problem.