Activity

The BIM portion you are referring to is done in SketchUp, and can be exported to open file formats (IFC, Cobie, etc.).
I am well aware of the capabilities of the software you keep referring to, yet you are apparently ignorant of the capabilities of our software.  So I don’t see where this discussion can lead.
–J

So it’s not BIM, because operating with information modeling implies building with objects that are able to interact. As we know, AutoCAD does not operate with intelligent objects, it operates with geometry that can be given descriptions. And of course, the whole point with information modeling is to use an open format to allow collaborative…[Read more]

Set aside the semantics of whether there is or is not BIM for landscape architecture I believe that the real answer you are looking for is what design package works well for our profession and integrates with Revit. The answer to that is Vectorworks Landmark.
I consult for a firm in Washington DC and we moved to VW Landmark over two years ago and…[Read more]

Again, from the UK BIM Task Force directly:
“little of direct relevance to landscape yet”.
And actually, rootball clashes is the number one request from our users in terms of clash detection.
I get that you like BIM, that’s great.  Let’s just agree to disagree on how well it works for LA.  Right now I have to get back to work.
–J

I am always up for a good discussion. But I think you’ve missed the mark on the entirety of scope for landscape architecture. Yes, plant material is a large portion of it, but there is also so much more that could be provided by manufacturers: furniture, lighting, signs, storm structures, etc.
While an owner does not usually need a permit for…[Read more]

@SS27 The 3% in science, ( if you understand the scientific method, which you should!) are NOT marginalized, they are welcomed with open arms, their data looked at and questioned  ad infinitum. It is FOX news that does not allow the 97% to have their say, and the big money for the status quo is behind the global warming deniers – the oil…[Read more]

We stick with standard AutoCAD objects, so the resultant dwg file can be opened by anybody, does not require additional libraries to view, modify, print, etc.
This is called Event-driven development, in contrast to Object-driven.  So only when using our tools do the “objects” in the drawing have intelligence.  Our object types are Plants (Tree, S…[Read more]

“The scientific method always allows for questioning, for new data. Always. I am sure you know how it works, right? And the science on global warming is overwhelming.”
But that’s not how it works, Trace. Science is comprised of people, and people are not infallible, or more importantly immune from funding pressures and political influence. Science…[Read more]

Because I have issues with software that was not initially designed for our profession. With addons, one attempts to better the situation, but the unescapable fact is that one simply builds on a broken model in order to make it up to par. Now, to make ends meet, every landscape architect I know of use a patchwork of different software, often by…[Read more]

I don’t want to get drawn into an argument on the subject, but I feel pretty strongly that “BIM” as it is thrown around doesn’t fit very well at all for Landscape Architecture.  Consider particularly:
– a database of Manufacturers and Model numbers, with warranty information, fire code validation, etc. — this does not apply to landscape at all,…[Read more]

You are right that that is what Moore states, but you are wrong about global warming being non-existent. Aside from Al Gore (who cares about him?) 97% of the scientific community has measured and tested global warming for years.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming
It’s just wikipedia, but it has tons of links. “NO scientific body disagrees…[Read more]

Actually, BIM is an internationally accepted term that applies to more than just “buildings”. The word “building” is often referred to as a verb and not a noun, while the “modeling” part is also interchanged with “management”. So I would argue that BIM does apply to landscape architecture.

Why don’t you try out Land F/X? 😉
We’ve been doing BIM for Landscape Architects for eight years now.
We personally don’t like the term “BIM”, as it by definition doesn’t apply to Landscape Architecture.
–J

First things first: Civil 3D is not, by definition, a BIM-tool. It attempts to be through use of some intelligent objects (road elements, corridors etc), but the fact of the matter is that it is not in essence centered around information modeling; more so on computation and analysis of geometry. It is nevertheless one of the very few options…[Read more]

and as for the original question how well does Civil 3D integrate with Revit. The answer is, that depends, you need to define methodologies very carefully, because it’s very easy to break the link if each file isn’t submitted in a style that the other ‘likes’.

If you go for Vectorworks, for the love of god retool and use apple macs, it’s still very buggy on PCs. (Despite Nemetschek being technically the oldest company, Vectorworks has only really been about on PC for 8 years which makes it the youngest and least mature software) 

I am currently a second year at the Spitzer School of Architecture at City College. We are a small community within the school with extremely devoted professors and we get a lot of attention from them. The program is based on the studio environment but we have many classes that supports the studio environment.  There is a lot of stress put on the…[Read more]

Depending on the application . . .
http://www.lolldesigns.com/ (the website is limited re: sizes, contact a sales rep for the full range, some are up to 96″)
http://www.barkmansitefurnishings.com/ (we have specified these on a project that required very large planters)

Reuse and recycle.