[Deborah Christman]

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 about $3300. Plus the parallels. If it is easy to use, then the extra $1000 over the cost Vectorworks may be worth it for exchanging dwgs with other designers.

[Deborah Christman]

Thank you both! I have mined the forum site and there is a lot of good stuff there that I have already put to use.

I am trying to combine my Landscape Architecure certificate and 38 years of teaching into something where I can help the local average SF Bay Area school district make better playgrounds for children. We can do so much better, but there seem to be many hurdles…tradition, money, litigation, lack of understanding of childhood development by facilities people…  I am open to any strategies for jumping those hurdles.

The information I have so far is a start. Perhaps I need more data showing the benefits in terms of the bottom line for schools (playground behavior, classroom behavior, test score improvements, comparative costs of giant plastic structures and maintenance vs. a bunch of tree cookies and some moveable components…)?

[Deborah Christman]

I just went through the wordpress pack. Wonderful! I had seen several of the playground examples in LAM, but it is so nice to have it all in one place.  I can use some of it to inspire my colleagues and the head of grounds and facilities at my school district. Thank you. 

[Deborah Christman]

I really enjoyed looking at your sketches. Nice style!

[Deborah Christman]

When you conduct a POE, what is the most important thing you look for? 

[Deborah Christman]

A void in our confidence. Another in our hearts. The effect works for me. Looking forward to seeing it.

[Deborah Christman]

Have you tried Kerkythea? It is free and the results are realistic. A bit of a learning curve, but there is a network of people to help.

[Deborah Christman]

I used Permaloc aluminum edging 2 yrs ago to keep DG in my path and the dirt and mulch from my berms out. I called asalesman at Permaloc and he was very helpful specifying what I needed. They then sent  CAD dwgs to show how it needs to be installed.  I was very careful to put in geotextile, then gravel then another layer of geotextile before the DG. 

 

So today that path still looks as good as the first day. Permaloc bends nicely for a sepentine path, and the connections are subtle. Very clean look. 

[Deborah Christman]

This may be a little dated, BUT it has always informed how I look at sites (real ones and the ones that we played with in classes) and what I design for them. Right now I am applying it to some proposals for my elementary school where I have my real job. Thanks for putting it on Land 8.

[Deborah Christman]

I have used perspective charts a lot more lately. The ones I got were from Arch in San Francisco for $50. There were 8 of them. Mike Lynn sells a good one for $64. It is a tighter version which is good for interiors as well as landscapes, but restricted view angles. I found that once I had some instruction in constructing my own perspectives (Mike Lynn workshop in my case) UCB ext. perspective class for friends of mine, the charts became super handy. After awhile people say that you don’t need them as much; you just “see” the perspectives.

[Deborah Christman]

I am a second career person, so computer programs are like learning a foreign language. However, I own a Bamboo tablet and am learning the benefits of computer aided design. Two down, a dozen to go. It is fun!

On the other hand, when I am drawing there is a total focus on the object or space at hand. My mind goes into a different sort of zone. Every line is noticed. The eye must guide the brain and the hand. Perhaps that is the “heart and soul” you are discussing. It feels different from the computer work. I thought this brain shift was due to my being a different generation than most using the computer. However, the book Drawing/Thinking edited by Mark Treib has a number of essays validating this mind shift. You can’t miss it in the bookstore; it is neon pink!

[Deborah Christman]

Thanks, Bob. I ended up ordering from a clearance house and got some De Witt at a reasonable price. We’ll see how well it works. You are right about product reps. I ordered some Permaloc for edging and the the reps were really helpful.

[Deborah Christman]

I will have completed my course work for a certificate in landscape architecture next month, so I will have more time to look at other people’s work, contribute to discussions, and even post my work. With Land8, the learning never ends. Thanks for your efforts Andrew! Deborah Christman

[Deborah Christman]

This was great book! I loved the layered diagrams. Helped me recall info from my history of L.A. classes.

[Deborah Christman]

Thank you for your insight. The class was to teach us how to put together a strong first portfolio for interviews. We didn’t so much of that. I can definitely understand how working with the variety of groups to bring a project to fruition can be creative and satisfying. And finding ways to do good work within those restrictions might be the most satisfying.

I am looking forward to my planning class next semester.

He didn’t name any projects he has worked on.

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