Land8 | James Sipes | Activity https://land8.com/members/jamessipes/activity/ Activity feed for James Sipes. Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:50:42 +0000 https://buddypress.org/?v=6.0.0 en-US 30 hourly 2 c55c8a9e124237886ff358a14107bde9 James Sipes 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-169044 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:54:11 +0000 Very cool.

]]> 0 c05bef59ae60ee1d3f8a2748fc9bca0e James Sipes replied to the topic Advice in getting a teaching position in the forum EDUCATION https://land8.com/forums/topic/advice-in-getting-a-teaching-position/#post-169473 Mon, 28 Jun 2010 20:28:20 +0000 … also, I hate to say this, but even in landscape architecture a PhD is required for many teaching positions. If you want to teach, you may want to seriously consider that route, especially in this day and age where jobs are few and far between.

]]> 0 58f61fdedfdecffb37da6c500799feef James Sipes 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/page/2/#post-169007 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 20:23:43 +0000 Frankly, I don’t know if many … if any … that ask for an MLA for an entry position. Of those who have an MLA and are going into an entry, most have no experience and the MLA is their first design degree.

]]> 0 3668a1cdb34a0895c5028a49bf91b029 James Sipes 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-169053 Tue, 22 Jun 2010 13:06:32 +0000 RFox, I think most SketchUp users have no need for working with rendering or animation programs. SketchUp is great for conceptual models, but serious animators use max or maya. For most on this board, mastering 25% of what SketchUp will do is more than what they need from the 3D world.

Good luck with your BIM project. We don’t use Revit nearly as…[Read more]

]]> 0 75c464755a2cc15131956c91886862f7 James Sipes 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/page/2/#post-169056 Mon, 21 Jun 2010 17:05:46 +0000 Vectorworks is a great program to consider. I always think of it more for its 2D features and ability to work with geospatial data (another discussion – working with 3D geospatial data), but I do like it’s 3D capabilities, and the interconnectivity with SketchUp is very nice.

]]> 0 618bac6a59a37b63104ecbd79d122a03 James Sipes 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/page/2/#post-169058 Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:04:06 +0000 I just don’t see landscape architects using Catia or DP … and given the existing tool set in Revit and ArchiCad, most won’t we using those either.

My advice …
(1) learn SketchUp
(2) figure out what program you want to import your SketcUp models into for rendering
(3) gain a better understanding of 3D data in order to know how to move this…[Read more]

]]> 0 7675b4b9ea11a9849636842eb9235aa9 James Sipes 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/page/2/#post-169060 Mon, 21 Jun 2010 04:36:58 +0000 Digital Project is VERY expensive … the last time I looked it was around $10K a pop, and is one of the most difficult/frustrating programs I have worked with. I don’t see landscape architects using DP unless a client demands it … or unless you are a sub on a big project to Frank Gehry!

I am a big fan of translator programs … there are some…[Read more]

]]> 0 b68398f9c53d176c1260994e55003bfb James Sipes 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/page/2/#post-169062 Sun, 20 Jun 2010 23:53:35 +0000 We may want to add Revit and ArchiCad to that list. Not enough LA firms are using BIM software, but there are reasons for moving that way.

Personally, I prefer SketchUp and 3ds Max.

I think the most important thing is how to move 3D data from one program to another. I have an article in the LAM august issue that seeks to address that issue. Hope…[Read more]

]]> 0 ac24b29739d5cae6090880f98f762900 James Sipes replied to the topic Start-up Company in the forum PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE https://land8.com/forums/topic/start-up-company/#post-169199 Sat, 12 Jun 2010 03:13:55 +0000 This made me just shake my head. I 100% disagree with your comments.

There are many roads to success … and many definitions of success.

I chose the path where I moved around a lot, worked on cool projects world-wide, worked with top firms, and won more awards than anyone should ever win.

My son just graduated, and he made the decision to work…[Read more]

]]> 0 8a5aed621044ccaa2641c88777c32631 James Sipes replied to the topic Start-up Company in the forum PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE https://land8.com/forums/topic/start-up-company/page/2/#post-169209 Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:34:43 +0000 Are you sure that is correct? I always assumed “ASLA” simply meant you were a member of ASLA. It does not refer to licensure.

]]> 0 48d3dc2a6bbc40f78c370a180a5a4abb James Sipes replied to the topic Start-up Company in the forum PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE https://land8.com/forums/topic/start-up-company/page/2/#post-169216 Thu, 10 Jun 2010 16:01:48 +0000 Good advice, Glenn. For most, the hard part is getting the project, not doing the work. Barbara Faga always says “you get work from your friends.” I think that is very true. Word of mouth is essential, especially with residential work. One of the best things you can do is be involved with neighborhood groups, “beautification” groups, and the like.…[Read more]

]]> 0 b740170b3f6744b98b450aa287c24803 James Sipes replied to the topic Start-up Company in the forum PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE https://land8.com/forums/topic/start-up-company/page/3/#post-169220 Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:29:46 +0000 Become “official” … when I formed my company I decided on an LLC.
Get professional liability insurance immediately. There is a reason all firms have it. In addition, if you are a sub to another firm they will most likely require it. Any design/build firm should be insured.
And always use a written contract, even if it is a one pager. It clears…[Read more]

]]> 0 98ae0c234febbfaf59f60979fe2c1a16 James Sipes replied to the topic Iphone apps for landscape architects in the forum TECHNOLOGY https://land8.com/forums/topic/iphone-apps-for-landscape-architects/#post-170367 Thu, 10 Jun 2010 01:03:45 +0000 Sorry, that is the problem with referring to apps … they change so quickly.

]]> 0 c421a35c7369edb7fcc73ff5abe10b54 James Sipes replied to the topic Best Image Bank for Landscape Architects? in the forum TECHNOLOGY https://land8.com/forums/topic/best-image-bank-for-landscape-architects/#post-170297 Wed, 09 Jun 2010 23:49:23 +0000 No, just because an image is on the Internet does NOT make it public domain.

]]> 0 58ebcc0fb22d48201f85ca746a9aee61 James Sipes replied to the topic Science or Fiction? in the forum SUSTAINABILITY & DESIGN https://land8.com/forums/topic/science-or-fiction/#post-169322 Wed, 09 Jun 2010 23:45:50 +0000 We recently won an LID Design Competition sponspored by the Houston Land and Water Sustainability Forum, and a big part of our entry talks about removing contaminants from stormwater runoff. Let me know if you are interested in getting a copy.

j

]]> 0 a25f6b9bd2a67ad907679cf1d497e56b James Sipes replied to the topic Advice in getting a teaching position in the forum EDUCATION https://land8.com/forums/topic/advice-in-getting-a-teaching-position/#post-169476 Wed, 09 Jun 2010 23:43:55 +0000 There are three things to do … (1) be active in local LA chapters, volunter, and get to know professionals in the area. For univerisities, volunteer to be a guest juror, or to help coordinate an event. The key is for people to get to know you. (2) Go to local universities and meet the professors and admin. Let them know you are interested. Have…[Read more]

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