[James Sipes]

Very cool.

[James Sipes]

… 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.

[James Sipes]

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.

[James Sipes]

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 much as I had hoped we would, but that is based primarily on projects being put on hold. Like it or not, we will have to work in the BIM world.

[James Sipes]

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.

[James Sipes]

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 info from one program to another

and maybe a fourth … Google earth is great for viewing 3D terrain and dropping in base plans and simple 3D shapes … and it is amazingly easy

RFox, are you doing any BIM projects now? Got any good examples?

[James Sipes]

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 very good ones out there.

I used to use Rhino and FormZ, but for some reason have dropped both. I think bottom line you just can’t be good at all of them. You have to pick one or two and then concentrate on that particular program.

[James Sipes]

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 it helps.

[James Sipes]

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 with a small, local firm doing what I consider to be mundane work. And he is happy. Good for him.

I won’t judge others based upon my definition of success.

[James Sipes]

Are you sure that is correct? I always assumed “ASLA” simply meant you were a member of ASLA. It does not refer to licensure.

[James Sipes]

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. The more people see you and hear your name, the more likely they are to hire you.

I like “Guerrila Marketing Handbook” a lot.

[James Sipes]

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 up potential misunderstandings.

[James Sipes]

Sorry, that is the problem with referring to apps … they change so quickly.

[James Sipes]

No, just because an image is on the Internet does NOT make it public domain.

[James Sipes]

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

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