Chad Danos

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]

Jeffrey, This has been the case with the exam for some time… even when we had to draw planting plans in one section. They would still ask questions in the multiple choice sections about plants and planting design. One thing you can be sure about the exam…you will be asked to show that you know the content in more than one way in many of the…[Read more]

Jeffrey, For about 12 years I used AutoCAD, and would have to say when I switched over to Vectorworks Landmark, I wished I had done so sooner. Specifically for the use of 3D. If you want to keep your project in one program from beginning to end and have high quality 3D rendered presentations, you should evaluate Vectorworks Landmark. A benefit of…[Read more]

Bill,
Many that I have talked to (not from the West Coast) have said they haven’t even heard of the Sunset Zones, or if they did, they recognize that Sunset usually has more to say about Western States interests. But they all are captivated by the way Sunset derives these zones by incorporating “length of growing season, timing and amount of…[Read more]

Brandon (and others), You are probably not going to be shocked to know that CLARB has heard all of these complaints, and ASLA’s Committee on LARE Prep is aware of these, too. It never hurts to submit them, since they have asked for them with the survey, after your redlines.
Recognizing that CLARB is the creator, (in some areas) the administrator,…[Read more]

Welcome to CLARB LAND, as I tell my review session candidates. Key thing to remember is that CLARB (and your state) wants to see proof through the exam that you are minimally competent to protect the public’s Health Safety and Welfare (HSW). And you cannot get around it, so as Greg mentioned, you have to adopt it, because it is your virtual design…[Read more]

Sheldon, I worked with them, as a consultant, on a few projects probably about 10 (more?) years ago. The projects were “big box” stores, in which planting, hardscapes, and irrigation design were involved. Company has been around for quite some time, and has branch offices, too. Not sure if this helps much…let me know if you have some specific…[Read more]

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…[Read more]