Brandon Reed, CVO, ASLA / Rooftop and Urban Designer / Landscape Architect

Noah brings up a great point about mixed media in our 3D models. Having photorealistic textures on your proposed features is essential to make the photorealistic props look like they belong, and vice versa…you would not want to bring photorealistic props into a model you are purposely trying to look sketchy.

One program that imports and exports…[Read more]

John, I saw your post when you first placed it and was very curious to see where the discussion went. I transitioned from AutoCAD almost 3 years ago (after 12 years of using it), and began using Vectorworks. One thing which I think makes the effort of transitioning from one method of CAD to another worthwhile is the training. Everyone has a…[Read more]

I would echo Frank. After getting this book, not only I use it, but several coworkers borrow it for their needs too.

In looking for 3D, site specific solutions, you may also want to take a look at Vectorworks Landmark. With the BIM functionality of the architect module, you have the power of designing 2D and 3D at the same time, and with intelligent objects…a plant is 2D/3D and reports the data associated to it…a hardscape (patio) knows the total area it…[Read more]

Jennifer, I’m really glad you shared this link. I hope everyone has a chance to see this.
As a landscape architect and landscape designer, I’m frustrated that the landscape architects of California actually let language such as this exist, virtually forcing landscape designers to only get specific about planting plans. Does it not seem a bit…[Read more]

Andrew G, You seem to have some good points made but this comment of Landscape Design being a “task or occupation”, while Landscape Architecture is a “profession” is a bit offending. I know thousands would tell you that they practice landscape design and do so for a livelihood and and many actually have a more professional practice than do some…[Read more]

Kelli, As a student you would qualify for a free license of Vectorworks Designer, which is a standalone 2D/3D CAD program, which would allow you to work in both the 2D and 3D space interactively. The package includes all of the modules which Vectorworks offers and the landscape specific module, Landmark provides the opportunity to model and modify…[Read more]

Andrew, In talking to more and more landscape architects each day who have similar years of experience in AutoCAD or other general CAD programs, the idea of switching is definitely a pain point…though the pain of the expense in maintaining AutoCAD and any other add-ons are causing them to weigh the pain points…to switch or to stay put. Smaller…[Read more]

Brenden, Welcome to the Lounge! If I can be of some assistance in your efforts to get to know the program, I’d be glad to help. I might also recommend visiting the community board on the Vectorworks website, as many of the users there are ready to help with advice and resources as well. http://techboard.nemetschek.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=…[Read more]

Daryn, I think most suppliers who manufacture or distribute “green” products are very forthright about this with the demand now being made in many communities to gain LEED ratings, and other communities who had already been requiring more sustainable, or environmentally conscious solutions. I would suggest reviewing the documents that USGBC and…[Read more]

Nick, it is amazing what you can do with the shapefiles once they are in Vw. In working with a county’s planning department, we were able to take their buildings “footprint” shapefile into Landmark, then with the help of a vectorscript, it took the data imbedded in each building outline and extruded it to the height specified by each polygon. So…[Read more]

Being on a Mac, what software are you currently using? One program that works well on both Mac and PC is Vectorworks Landmark, and I have recently been using Vectorworks Landmark for GIS mapping that I will then use as I continue on in the rest of my design phases, still in Landmark. I am able to import Shapefiles that carry the data I need to do…[Read more]

I have used the USA Jobs site a couple years ago in a job search. I did apply, but was not hired, for two jobs with the Forest Service. The application process is very weighty, including the need to acquire and include college transcripts and even some essays about your qualifications and experience and how they apply towards fulfilling the…[Read more]

I agree that the number of landscape architects and designers using 3D is lower than we might expect. Vectorworks Landmark allows the designer to work both 2Dand 3D at the same time, in the same workspace. There is no export/import needed to do this. With just a click on an iso or perspective view, or set a 3D view, or even use the flyover feature…[Read more]

Edward, Marc is right that those topics were no longer in section C and E, but now they are in section D, which is multiple choice. Though you would not need to study them for the June or December exams, you would need to study them as you prepare to take section D…same goes for q=cia. Also…though you would not be asked to size pipe for…[Read more]

Edward, ASLA Chapters provide LARE Review Sessions fairly regularly, and depending where you live, there may be one close to you. In fact, I am about to conduct one in Omaha, Nebraska, in conjunction with the Central States ASLA Conference. These LARE Review Sessions are immensely valuable, because they not only go over the ways to prepare for the…[Read more]

Jay, I too provide LARE Review Sessions and am about to do another one next week in Omaha, Nebraska. In the almost 10 years which I have been conducting review sessions, I have found that each candidate has a different hardest section that they just can’t get past. Traditionally they have a better chance at passing A & B their first time…though…[Read more]

Robert, Kudos for the research to do something other than standard protocol!
From my experience I would suggest the following…
1. Vectorworks Landmark, for the biggest reason…efficient use of time. Utilizing data rich 2D/3D hybrid objects and modeling features means less time in production, since while you are creating 2D plans, you can also…[Read more]

Having switched over to Vectorworks after using AutoCAD for many years, I was impressed to know that many have been using Vectorworks Landmark in performing SIM (Site Information Modeling) for some time now. The plant symbols are actually data objects that have the ability to be hybridized to be both 2D & 3D, so a landscape architect/designer…[Read more]