Land8 | Frank Varro | Activity https://land8.com/members/frankvarro/activity/ Activity feed for Frank Varro. Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:50:42 +0000 https://buddypress.org/?v=6.0.0 en-US 30 hourly 2 b2d94601cc926e958ba92503b2963f09 Frank Varro replied to the topic wetlands effects on health in the forum SUSTAINABILITY & DESIGN http://land8.com/forums/topic/wetlands-effects-on-health/#post-156466 Fri, 07 Sep 2012 20:24:28 +0000 To over generalize, as long as it drains, within around 12 hours, or has enough flow to the water, mosquitos cannot breed, and malaria etc is uneffected.  Essentially, created wetlands need to have some flow pattern, and detention basins need to drain.

]]> 0 5d656bdd76e78dbb18862a309fb66c86 Frank Varro replied to the topic Workstation build and Software in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION http://land8.com/forums/topic/workstation-build-and-software/#post-157674 Tue, 01 May 2012 13:33:27 +0000 I would look at tomshardware.com. Tons of great advice there, and they do system builds every few months in three price brackets.  What is your total budget looking like? In march they build a $650, a $1250, and a $2600 machine. 

The productivity comparison (between each and their January builds) is here: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/overcl…[Read more]

]]> 0 d564fa593a4cd50c3e54b658bfcf3adb Frank Varro replied to the topic Sketchup acquired by Trimble in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION http://land8.com/forums/topic/sketchup-acquired-by-trimble/#post-157684 Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:07:11 +0000 Maybe Trimble will take over where @Last left off and, unlike Google has, start fixing some bugs again.

]]> 0 35f8cd939153a3fd157e620662ae102c Frank Varro replied to the topic Somebody really needs to check for the pulse. in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION http://land8.com/forums/topic/somebody-really-needs-to-check-for-the-pulse/#post-157746 Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:14:18 +0000 LEED and Sustainable sites has almost 0 overlap with RLA testing.  Sure LEED is important, but only important for someone who has already proven they are skilled in the things RLA testing tests.  Plus, LEED, realistically, is much more architecture focused right now.  If they pull a sustainable sites portion in more, that’ll change the story SL…[Read more]

]]> 0 6eb88ac026fed69d69c395f3d603fbcd Frank Varro replied to the topic Somebody really needs to check for the pulse. in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION http://land8.com/forums/topic/somebody-really-needs-to-check-for-the-pulse/page/2/#post-157751 Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:09:33 +0000 If you don’t value things ASLA has done, like title/licensure acts in most states, then fine, don’t be a member. Personally, I like supporting the group that has the power to lobby for me, and telling them about issues that matter to me as a professional.  In NYC recently the city Dept of Building has stopped accepting some LA stamps for things…[Read more]

]]> 0 13b4c163cf412cfa79bfec8b4fb17452 Frank Varro replied to the topic Somebody really needs to check for the pulse. in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION http://land8.com/forums/topic/somebody-really-needs-to-check-for-the-pulse/page/2/#post-157754 Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:30:09 +0000 So, instead of looking at the ASLA as a group to promote the career path you are in, that you think needs some new guidance, as a resource, you look at it as evil and run away? Why not become active in your chapter or on the national level? It isn’t hard, within a few years of graduating I sat on two different national commitees, and now am…[Read more]

]]> 0 83e11e061cc6fabd4aed02804226c27a Frank Varro replied to the topic monochrome graphic presentation in the forum GRAPHICS http://land8.com/forums/topic/monochrome-graphic-presentation/#post-158102 Tue, 27 Mar 2012 19:51:04 +0000 Are you thinking just black inkline type work, or something where everything is in shades of green, or blue?  I think either can work, but its not an easy thing to pull off.  I have tried it in the past and while it never went terrible, I’m not sure it was worth the extra effort for me with my graphic design sensibility.

]]> 0 effe0258f5fdbe29032f743badb3dbc2 Frank Varro replied to the topic What can an LA do that an architect cannot, and vice versa? in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION http://land8.com/forums/topic/what-can-an-la-do-that-an-architect-cannot-and-vice-versa/#post-158365 Tue, 20 Mar 2012 13:33:06 +0000 I was there for my first semester of LA undergrad, its a good, competitive program, and I think it’ll be a great place for someone who wants to explore the different fields a bit before locking themselves in (My friend got his Arch degree from ISU as well).  The only trick is you won’t do much real design in that first year, so you’re going to…[Read more]

]]> 0 71fae139374a262cb15066b5ac68ca74 Frank Varro replied to the topic What can an LA do that an architect cannot, and vice versa? in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION http://land8.com/forums/topic/what-can-an-la-do-that-an-architect-cannot-and-vice-versa/#post-158370 Mon, 19 Mar 2012 11:39:48 +0000 The long and short of it is: Architects design buildings, Landscape architects design everywhere people are not inside a building (including placing those buildings in theory), Planners design regulations to ensure the multiple designs (buildings and non-buildings) work together to create a functional neighborhood, city, or region.

There is some…[Read more]

]]> 0 20d45dd9dddddabf5053f9c912ea8cbe Frank Varro replied to the topic What is the most beautiful street in the world? in the forum PLACES & SPACES http://land8.com/forums/topic/what-is-the-most-beautiful-street-in-the-world/#post-158712 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:31:16 +0000 I have to say, whatever road it is that leads to Villa Lante from Viberbo is pretty mind blowing.  Huge trees growing through the pavement in the street. A horror show, but amazing.

]]> 0 6776ca50addb42d02ebe6393f36d2b38 Frank Varro replied to the topic Best mobile workstation for Autocad2012 and SketchUp? in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION http://land8.com/forums/topic/best-mobile-workstation-for-autocad2012-and-sketchup/#post-159502 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:07:03 +0000 I’d go PC over Mac (I know at least last years CAD for Mac was apparently fairly badly disabled in some features), and I’m a PC, not a Mac in general…
For good PC laptops, brand wise look at Toshiba, HP, and Alienware. 
HP just announced that they have decided NOT to be idiots and sell off the only profitable part of their company, which is…[Read more]

]]> 0 5f045c6c2a67382ee805bdd5990b05c5 Frank Varro posted an update in the group SketchUp: I can attest to newer Geforce cards.  I have a 470 from […] https://land8.com/activity/p/17661/ Tue, 20 Sep 2011 21:29:17 +0000 I can attest to newer Geforce cards.  I have a 470 from last year, and it runs like a champ.  MIGHT end up going to a dual card setup, but that’s caused more by “Battlefield 3” than work…

]]> 0 16c6f5da18c1f8cfdda63b96e831fa6c Frank Varro replied to the topic Large Trees in Small Spaces in the forum PLANTS & HORTICULTURE http://land8.com/forums/topic/large-trees-in-small-spaces/#post-161103 Fri, 05 Aug 2011 16:27:26 +0000 closest images I have found are these:


  None of which are great/exactly what it sounds like you are looking for.  Do you need a photo, or would a 3D rendering work?  Send me a plan sketch, I’ll see what I can put together.

]]> 0 f51f02ba6fe6682a51dd2ba895ac3090 Frank Varro replied to the topic Opinion on Which Core i7 Processor? in the forum TECHNOLOGY http://land8.com/forums/topic/opinion-on-which-core-i7-processor/#post-161315 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 16:40:49 +0000 It all depends on what level of graphic work you are looking at doing.  If its CAD and basic photoshop, you’ll be fine with about anything.  If your planning on doing 3D, large and multilayer photoshop, then you need more of a workhorse.  I built my own system with an i7 940 processor (quad core 2.97 Ghz) 6 Gigs of DDR3 ram, and a GeForce 470 Gr…[Read more]

]]> 0 8d947942fca1f7e5e2b3b13a87f76ce5 Frank Varro replied to the topic Is it just me... or do we need to rethink our illustrative quality of figures in the landscape? in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION http://land8.com/forums/topic/is-it-just-me-or-do-we-need-to-rethink-our-illustrative-quality-of-figures-in-the-landscape/#post-173318 Tue, 19 Jul 2011 18:06:12 +0000 Quick link: the uncanny valley I mentioned get explored in some new research: http://gizmodo.com/5822648/why-brains-get-creeped-out-by-androids

]]> 0 b05e2f07ca88b6d43c5d1d7ada9b772c Frank Varro replied to the topic Is it just me... or do we need to rethink our illustrative quality of figures in the landscape? in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/is-it-just-me-or-do-we-need-to-rethink-our-illustrative-quality-of-figures-in-the-landscape/page/2/#post-173325 Tue, 19 Jul 2011 01:51:52 +0000 I think its in part due to the fact that as programs get better, people find themselves falling into the “uncanny valley”, where things looks ALMOST photorealistic, but just enough not real to REALLY throw people off.  That means to get a good looking photorealistic rendering more work has to be done on the front end with good materials, and with…[Read more]

]]> 0 6e35c8c35d3a6068121959f1ca0a8674 Frank Varro replied to the topic Student looking for unique ways to indicate grasslands, meadows and prairies in the forum GRAPHICS https://land8.com/forums/topic/student-looking-for-unique-ways-to-indicate-grasslands-meadows-and-prairies/page/2/#post-161521 Sun, 17 Jul 2011 22:23:03 +0000 I started a series of Photoshop tutorials a ways back, I didn’t get to prairie type areas, but the same techniques I used for turf-grass and dirt should work.
 
Turf: http://land8lounge.com/profiles/blogs/tuesday-tutorial-turf-and
Dirt: http://land8lounge.com/profiles/blogs/tuesday-tutorial-time-to-get
 
I did do a phase of this design with p…[Read more]

]]> 0 81ff47cfa95c98b344a47f0d8cb29709 Frank Varro replied to the topic Help! Making Sketchup more realistic in the forum GRAPHICS https://land8.com/forums/topic/help-making-sketchup-more-realistic/page/2/#post-163086 Mon, 27 Jun 2011 18:25:21 +0000 Sketchup is a tricky thing.  You CAN get decent results with careful material work in sketchup itself, but its hard, and without bump/displacement mapping and reflections, its limited.  Daniel Tal is a big fan of the ShaderLight plugin.  It gives him some really good work, with the ease of modeling of SketchUp.
 
I am using a program called The…[Read more]

]]> 0 059595feb56028043ae413e931dc2810 Frank Varro replied to the topic Macs Vs PCs in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/macs-vs-pcs/page/6/#post-161873 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:03:30 +0000 It really does come down to preference.  At this point, almost all software available on PC is available on MAC, even without doing a windows boot on a Mac (Which is also a viable option in the event you find yourself in need of, say, full ArcGIS).  What it really comes down to is this:
PCs offer easier upgrade-ability if you are looking for a d…[Read more]

]]> 0 5b91fd49a54fff5d90da8241d0ad83c9 Frank Varro replied to the topic Macs Vs PCs in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/macs-vs-pcs/page/6/#post-161874 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 15:40:46 +0000 “A current Mac laptop would still be in use 100 years from now…with no upgrades and virus free.”
Now you are just being a fanboy and silly.
http://www.networkworld.com/community/blog/mac-defender-did-you-really-think-apple-macs-
Have fun being virus free…

]]> 0 1370d6d5777c7eb875c5ffb806696713 Frank Varro replied to the topic Macs Vs PCs in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/macs-vs-pcs/page/6/#post-161875 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 15:37:26 +0000 When was the last time you saw a Blue Screen? I can tell you I’ve had a Mac freeze up more recently than either my fiance’s or my laptop, or my desktop have blue screened.

]]> 0 01e62731edd25a70722749b757436927 Frank Varro replied to the topic Macs Vs PCs in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/macs-vs-pcs/page/7/#post-161876 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 15:33:40 +0000 To be fair, you should be getting antivirus for MACS as well. Macs are far from virus proof, its just that in general no one bothers since its still only around 15% of the install base. (http://www.infoworld.com/d/security/security-expert-mac-os-x-more-vulnerable-windows-in-some-ways-286)

]]> 0 c358a3ea5a46f4cbd8e2be801ddece37 Frank Varro posted an update in the group SketchUp: Looking good as always Daniel! My only complaint is the […] https://land8.com/activity/p/17672/ Tue, 21 Jun 2011 16:41:28 +0000 Looking good as always Daniel! My only complaint is the people, in that I hate them, in that I don’t have them. I’ll send you some of my newer stuff today to see what you think.

]]> 0 67bdfdebc4648e738f497fbe335b06b0 Frank Varro replied to the topic What can be done to improve the ASLA... in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/what-can-be-done-to-improve-the-asla/#post-162454 Fri, 03 Jun 2011 14:25:48 +0000 It could also be that they realize what many here do not: this is an internet forum and, as of now, is treated by the users like one.  This topic has been on the front page for a little over a day, with a decent number of responses.  Of them, Tanya is the only person to give any actual feedback in terms of what AIA does that makes it seem like a b…[Read more]

]]> 0 f1b1e68b7e062160ede14e5e31ab6a62 Frank Varro replied to the topic ASLA-- Relevant? or Exists only to sustain itself? in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/asla-relevant-or-exists-only-to-sustain-itself/#post-162616 Thu, 02 Jun 2011 21:32:18 +0000 As far as I know this is practiced by all ASLA chapters.  And in terms of national, anyone who serves on the ASLA awards advisory committee has their firm ineligible for all awards while they serve, including public agencies.

]]> 0 f04967f83038205d0a93bb98ebe3976b Frank Varro replied to the topic What can be done to improve the ASLA... in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/what-can-be-done-to-improve-the-asla/#post-162455 Thu, 02 Jun 2011 20:17:41 +0000 Echoing others-
Bold idea: Get involved.
 
Either local or national, it doesn’t matter.  Try to get elected to your state ASLA executive committee, or work on one of the local sub-committees if you have some time, but not the name recognition to get elected.  Pick a committee you think will address some of your issues, and… well… address th…[Read more]

]]> 0 3df4d0dac5c0f4c77e020172d1ba364b Frank Varro replied to the topic rendering/design visualization competition in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/renderingdesign-visualization-competition/#post-163649 Sat, 23 Apr 2011 01:27:45 +0000 You know from the discussion on the 3DS board that I am in!

]]> 0 e58c3603998235d7337a4fa1ac94c1c9 Frank Varro replied to the topic Need a new laptop, please weigh in... in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/need-a-new-laptop-please-weigh-in/#post-164505 Sun, 06 Mar 2011 04:23:13 +0000 Asus is a great company, and that looks to be a really nice setup!

]]> 0 5a91bcba82bc056b556231b6d1543903 Frank Varro posted an update in the group 3ds max + landscape architecture: Personally, I would rather see it opened up to other render […] https://land8.com/activity/p/21012/ Fri, 18 Feb 2011 20:53:53 +0000 Personally, I would rather see it opened up to other render engines as well, partially because I use a different one than 3DS now, and also because it would be a good way for people unfamiliar with the strengths of different programs to see what they can do.

]]> 0 d06e741b37ecf48fbb8823d82d5ac56d Frank Varro replied to the topic Android Apps for design, business, and productivity in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/android-apps-for-design-business-and-productivity/#post-165468 Sat, 05 Feb 2011 16:24:35 +0000 Its not that its taken a long time for any company to “certify” the iPhone, its that AT&T had an exclusive contract with apple that only just ran up, and that all companies now know they need a GREAT network to deal with smartphone use.

]]> 0 d045b3ec982529ebbba483dd6db97896 Frank Varro replied to the topic To Trace or Ray Trace-Are we helped or handcuffed by technology? in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/to-trace-or-ray-trace-are-we-helped-or-handcuffed-by-technology/page/2/#post-166695 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 15:34:40 +0000 No, I’m not designing, but I also wasn’t designing when I took Mike Lins Be Loose seminars. Or when I took drawing classes in my undergrad to get my hand graphic skills up. All I’m saying is that these are two sides of the same coin. Sure, hand graphics are faster for most, but one drawing gives you one drawing. With a 3D model, It takes me longer…[Read more]

]]> 0 717edcd8e9d2415e720ec6e5e590a884 Frank Varro replied to the topic To Trace or Ray Trace-Are we helped or handcuffed by technology? in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION http://land8.com/forums/topic/to-trace-or-ray-trace-are-we-helped-or-handcuffed-by-technology/page/2/#post-166696 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 15:26:07 +0000 Bill Belicheck also cheats by taping practices and stealing signals. Sorry, that has NO relevance, I just REALLY hate the Pats! ;-p

]]> 0 c8cc311df299bd71d409172abda5af2e Frank Varro replied to the topic To Trace or Ray Trace-Are we helped or handcuffed by technology? in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/to-trace-or-ray-trace-are-we-helped-or-handcuffed-by-technology/page/3/#post-166702 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 03:24:09 +0000 “Some people really enjoy making the perfect 3d tree. I might argue that those people are probably not landscape architects, that they are probably digital illustrators. If you want to spend days making a tree that’s fine. You should work for Pixar or some other digital imagery studio but I don’t know of any LA firms that are willing to pay people…[Read more]

]]> 0 30a9fdbe63357dbdf4abac8c82e2ea6e Frank Varro replied to the topic To Trace or Ray Trace-Are we helped or handcuffed by technology? in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/to-trace-or-ray-trace-are-we-helped-or-handcuffed-by-technology/page/3/#post-166714 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 14:40:48 +0000 One of the advantages of technology is that it is infinitely repeatable. So yes, right now I could draw a few hand perspectives of the work that, as you put it, doesn’t exist for me right now, or I can perfect a model of a 3D tree. then, when it comes time to make a model for a paying client, I am able to give them a 3D universe that they can not…[Read more]

]]> 0 6edf050c18fcc44bac6a53e04af66564 Frank Varro replied to the topic Looking for Rendering Critique in the forum GRAPHICS https://land8.com/forums/topic/looking-for-rendering-critique/#post-166805 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 15:28:37 +0000 My workflow is basically that I model everything short of plants, benches, cars in sketchup, but I include 1′ diameter planes where a tree should go, with a material named for the tree that goes there (So I have 5 circles painted with “Maple”, 6 with “redbud”). I can then jump into Thea, and merge a maple tree model in. I select the maple tree and…[Read more]

]]> 0 d53009ed9cc98d2a89b4b1fe56f997c3 Frank Varro replied to the topic Looking for Rendering Critique in the forum GRAPHICS https://land8.com/forums/topic/looking-for-rendering-critique/#post-166806 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 15:24:20 +0000 Tree[d] allows the same thing. It exports to a 3ds Obj file, I know it opens correctly (with textures) in Thea, but I’ve heard of people having issues in SketchUp. The big reason I’m not using xFrog is that I don’t really have $400 to throw out for the engine, especially when Tree[d] gets such good results for free.

]]> 0 ff516c1b30d9b295e8c1519a66649fa7 Frank Varro replied to the topic Looking for Rendering Critique in the forum GRAPHICS https://land8.com/forums/topic/looking-for-rendering-critique/#post-166807 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 15:20:19 +0000 Rendering time for a single tree isn’t to bad, around 10 mins. I can proxy in Thea, I generally use them for when I have multiple trees, In engine it just shows as giant bounding boxes,then I have to render to get the actual tree to show, but It definitely saves on resources.

I tried some displacement mapping, the only issue is it tender to pull…[Read more]

]]> 0 e39f7e9f15645dd4a25f0d836066be60 Frank Varro replied to the topic No need for streetlights in the future because our trees WILL be streetlights? in the forum SUSTAINABILITY & DESIGN https://land8.com/forums/topic/no-need-for-streetlights-in-the-future-because-our-trees-will-be-streetlights/#post-166913 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 15:11:54 +0000 They aren’t coating the leaves with gold, as at that point the trees would not be able to absorb CO2, and die, and it wouldn’t be any different than putting out gold panels.

They are infusing leaves with a small amount of gold “nanoparticles” (particles of less than 100 nanometers) it behaves differently than gold, and is already used for things…[Read more]

]]> 0 5c36ee47e7f2b8bc040ae70f17b06e5a Frank Varro replied to the topic MLA needed now for an Entry Level Job? in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/mla-needed-now-for-an-entry-level-job/#post-168991 Thu, 21 Oct 2010 19:30:56 +0000 Also, a masters in urban studies does not compare to an MLA. Imagine the paper writing for the masters with the studio work for the BSLA at the same time and you have the fun that is the MLA.

]]> 0 0c719e173fc8e346a14d0e289377bb67 Frank Varro replied to the topic MLA needed now for an Entry Level Job? in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/mla-needed-now-for-an-entry-level-job/#post-168992 Thu, 21 Oct 2010 19:26:20 +0000 An accredited MLA degree for someone with a non-design background is 3 years, not 2, FYI. In which case it compares equally to a BSLA in design training, as most BSLAs are 4 years, and 1 year of that essentially is gen.eds that MLAs do not take.

I think the base attraction for an MLA is that you have someone with the design training of a BSLA,…[Read more]

]]> 0 ea0611deec9a8843df19f0fe2c5331b3 Frank Varro replied to the topic Project in Studio: Expansion of Ping Tom Park in Chicago. in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/project-in-studio-expansion-of-ping-tom-park-in-chicago/#post-167632 Fri, 01 Oct 2010 04:11:01 +0000 The non-shortcut would be to go to the site.

]]> 0 1d6c58a8d37ce383d938bbcf2ec989cc Frank Varro posted an update in the group Portfolios and Resumes - Design Strategies: Christopher- The thing that stood out the most is your […] https://land8.com/activity/p/20014/ Sat, 25 Sep 2010 16:25:27 +0000 Christopher- The thing that stood out the most is your resume. Move your education down towards the bottom- below everything other than maybe affiliations. With it on top, above professional experience, you are making it look like it is more important than your actual work.

]]> 0 0aa8e2c836d8454e76400324a504bbcc Frank Varro replied to the topic Modernist Landscape Design in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/modernist-landscape-design/#post-167806 Wed, 15 Sep 2010 05:54:42 +0000 Yeah, I’d look at Kiley, Rose, and Eckbo, as they really spearheaded the movement. A former professor of mine, Dean Cardasis, is the director of the James Rose Center, and has done excellent work as well.

Most modernist designs use lawn to a large extent, however, that is mostly for the reason that it is the most common groundplane to use for…[Read more]

]]> 0 782762394dedd926b576022284b5cff8 Frank Varro replied to the topic New Technology in LA? in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/new-technology-in-la/#post-167878 Sat, 04 Sep 2010 15:14:02 +0000 The possibilities and difficulties of using BIM in LA
SketchUp is around 7 years old, but still very much in development and growing use in LA.

]]> 0 06082c8b1765977cd6f94bfc5913cd48 Frank Varro replied to the topic Is CLARB's redline review really worth it? in the forum PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE http://land8.com/forums/topic/is-clarbs-redline-review-really-worth-it/page/3/#post-167985 Sat, 04 Sep 2010 13:40:18 +0000 The issue is, you shouldn’t HAVE to pay to make sure your test was graded correctly, or even to see what you did wrong. It should be all or nothing. Either no one gets to see the tests, or everyone does, for free.

No, life is not fair, but life shouldn’t be made unfair because the people giving the licensing test I need to take want to make cash…[Read more]

]]> 0 c3a6d9382403faa1ded41b6fcc696f83 Frank Varro replied to the topic Is CLARB's redline review really worth it? in the forum PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE https://land8.com/forums/topic/is-clarbs-redline-review-really-worth-it/page/3/#post-167998 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 10:53:11 +0000 The problem is, if a test is hard because the questions are difficult, thats one thing. If the questions are hard because you might make what they deem to be an error, but no practicing person would, and you have no way to find out other than by paying them, thats where it enters the realm of BS. If there is only one correct way to grade it, fine.…[Read more]

]]> 0 43a7fd37229e6f497d3ef4b9532fad02 Frank Varro replied to the topic Slope stabilization in the forum PLANTS & HORTICULTURE https://land8.com/forums/topic/slope-stabilization/#post-167951 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:26:02 +0000 In working on reclaimation projects in my undergrad, I know Coconut fiber matting is a popular choice, as it will hold the soil, let grasses etc grow through it, and break down and fertilize the soil in the long run.

]]> 0 f2c384c1f5f741051fc3ae7d221cf6f5 Frank Varro replied to the topic Is CLARB's redline review really worth it? in the forum PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE https://land8.com/forums/topic/is-clarbs-redline-review-really-worth-it/page/4/#post-168000 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 03:39:05 +0000 Jebus, I hope someone fixes this BS before I have to take this test.

I understand you can’t have everyone pass or it doesn’t maintain the appearance of a qualifying exam, but really? Charging to see what you did wrong? If its not “hard enough” to pass a test where you see what is wrong after failing, they need to make new questions, not…[Read more]

]]> 0 2001286d4e7e8a584034fb2a363dca05 Frank Varro replied to the topic Are (or were) 3ds Max and Rhino a part of your LA curriculum? in the forum TECHNOLOGY https://land8.com/forums/topic/are-or-were-3ds-max-and-rhino-a-part-of-your-la-curriculum/page/2/#post-167938 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 03:31:08 +0000 I TA’ed an undergrad course in Computer Tech, and most of the 3D time was spent on SketchUp, as that seems like the hands-down industry leader when it comes to ease of use and quick turn around.

When I was in undergrad I took a computer graphics course at Iowa State that involved Form-Z, and I taught myself 3DS Max, and am starting to teach…[Read more]

]]> 0 c13f469bd002b9ffbe4578597778b872 Frank Varro replied to the topic what the mainly software used to make 3d? in the forum TECHNOLOGY https://land8.com/forums/topic/what-the-mainly-software-used-to-make-3d/#post-169043 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:01:53 +0000 My thesis 3D models were all modeled in SketchUp (Except the seating bowl of the stadium, which was done in 3DS Max), and then rendered in 3DS Max.

The Plans are all either Cad or Hand Lines with photoshop rendered color fills. I changed how I do plan renders significantly while working on the project, so there isn’t a total consistent look tot…[Read more]

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