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Buildings and most site features are very easy to model and dont require an obscene amount of computing power. Landscape, particularly plants and trees are extremely complexin geometry requiring enormous computing power to display well.

Additionally, modeling tends to require more time in production that could be spent on design…with limited…[Read more]

Hi Andrew, Thanks for the very thorough response.
Your input has certainly given me a lot more to think about. I definitely agree with you when it comes to 3D visualization as a design tool, it most certainly is not a design tool, this wasn’t my argument at all. I just feel that it’s a very effective way of showcasing and communicating your final…[Read more]

Hi Leslie, thanks for the response.
Unfortunately I didn’t have anything to do with this video, I just thought it was a brilliant example that really backed my point of view. However I have made 3D walk-throughts of my own using a program called Lumion as well as some shorter videos on 3DS Max. They’re on my profile if you are interested.…[Read more]

You are going on the assumption that the “lack of interest” is due to “past programs being extremely ineffective and basically not really catering for the needs of landscape architects”.
I don’t think this is the reason that 3D visualization is not as widely used as you would expect. I know that it is not the reason that I seldom use it. I can…[Read more]

Deborah,
My practice is centered around a Mac as we’ll and I’m a former AutoCad devote and convert to Vectorworks Landmark and I can personally attest to the superiority of the later. I would be happy to expound on the advantages and even provide support if you plan to transition to Vectorworks Landmark.

For references you can contact Jon Fitch…[Read more]

Like anything you have to weigh cost with increased productivity. In addition it is an investment and if you go with the subscription the cost decreases dramatically over the initial investment. Yes we run paralles to run Autocad for the platform and loaded up Irrigation F/X onto that. It is very easy to use but there like anything there is a…[Read more]

Thanks. I am glad to hear you say it is worth every penny ’cause it is a LOT of pennies. So I assume you use Parallels to run run the F/X Cad on the Mac?

My first question probably was not very clear. To run LandF/X, it seems as though I need to purchase Land F/X PLUS F/X Cad since I don’t have AutoCAD on my Mac. The AutoCAD LT does not work. So…[Read more]

I am not sure about your first question. 2 years ago we moved our office from PC’s to Mac running Autocad with Irrigation F/X. We also have Adobe CS6 and sketch up. Works very well. If you have not already take a look at some of Land F/X’s webinars specifically they have 1-2 on running land fx on a mac. 
I have not had much experience with…[Read more]

With fees being as tight as it is, it’s not very common to see so much time-off or perks.  A lot of the ‘platinum package’ benefits are ways for financial and dot-com companies to provide a larger compensation package but keep within specific tax brackets, etc.
That being said, some larger design firms do provide gym memberships (usually offset…[Read more]

The small design-build firm I was an employee of didn’t do anything for health/wellness.  As an employee, I worked way to much, cared way too much about things I couldn’t change, and gave way too much control over my life to people who didn’t spend much time thinking about my well being.  So I quit.  Well, sort of.  I carefully found a wor…[Read more]

As the principal of a one person firm, I provide three-martini lunches as part of our wellness program. Seriously though, my favorite way of being “taken care of physically, mentally, and socially”, when I worked for someone else was to be given time off (usually paid but unpaid was welcome too) to use as I pleased. Gym memberships, massages, etc…[Read more]

I agree on the 75% size for trees; depending in growth rate, I show shrubs at 75% (slow) or 100%. I also make notes on plans to use (and a list of which and qty) annuals as “cover crops” for first three years to accommodate the installation size. When a bed will move from sun to shade and the ground layer perennials will eventually be shade, I…[Read more]

Hire a good real estate attorney, subdivide the land, and place restrictive covenants on the lots to suit your goals. 

Depending on whether the parcel is located inside a city limits or not, if the land falls under zoning controls, and what the particular laws are in your state, something like a Planned Development District, or PDD, may provide some of the controls you are looking for.  A PDD is something like a development agreement with a municipality that sets…[Read more]

I have used 75% actual size for 15 years. exception to this is when there is a specimen tree or when trying to show multiple sizes of the same plant

You should always show at mature sizes and if needed, show pics of actual sizes at planting.  Contractors may want show installed sizes, that is ok, but to show the client the end result, always show mature sizes.  Throughout Asia, firms show smaller than mature sizes for no reason at all, it is very frustrating trying to teach and show younger st…[Read more]

Hi Jinal,
Where are you on your project? Please keep me up to date on it? Sounds interesting!
Franklin Po 
franklinpo@yahoo.com
http://www.tierradesign.com.sg

i second geofoam, just account for uplift.

Agree.  The best firm should be which is hiring right now.  As a entry-level, I found it’s so hard to find a firm hiring.  I been through my resume to a lot of them, and basically no reply at all, this is too depressed.