Hello plking, If you haven't already, check out the forum for some previous threads on design software. There are quite a few which may not be what you're looking for, but there are also some which have some very helpful info. I hasten to add that design software designs as much as pens, pencils, and paper do. -Audric

Hi there, BBC has a VERY basic tool on their gardening website. You can download a free 30 day trial of conceptdraw, which is a professional grade software - steep learning curve, but great capabilities. I also picked up a good program called MasterLandscape PRO for $50 CDN and it's very good. You do have to spend some time learning how it works, like anything, but seems to have a lot of good features. Great plant library, hardscaping options, etc. You can build your plan in layers, eg. property lines, then foundation plan for house/garage, etc, then your landscaping plan on top. So you can view things all together or just the layer you want. Hope that helps.

I mean: I draw on board and take photos in project place.but clients demand to feel every suggests include small leaf,small flower,tree prune shape,exact colour and change...draw board don't work well. I have to continue to work.I use software improve to draw board: I import draw pics,project photos into CAD system,get arc,wide,long,height data,handman,DIYer need them.do it,other software not work well. I put cad pics into 3dsmax,change 2ds pics into 3ds mock up. import 3dsmax system file into maya soft ware,improve 3ds small leafs,small flower... dimension.it is important that many clients need to feel designer' suggests before project.here,some people often misunderstand a same tree different size,different distance decide it. import maya file into photoshop, there is a wrong about photoshop,think it can do everything.photoshop is just 2ds software than 3ds.I master it.but I only use it to improve everything color and light.creating mock up,leaf,flower shape...it don't work well. I am searching a software it to work well do everything,but I never successful This forum is a venue.but it is a online designer too.some members tell me,they get their designing from me here.I know many member get their designing from other member's suggests,ideas too.

He needs to find SOFTWARE that does what he needs, and then buy whatever it runs on ... because Murphy's law of finding the ideal speciality software is that it always runs on any computer except the one you bought just before you spotted the software of your dreams. If he buys the MacBook Pro, the software he loves will require Windows 95. :) What does he want software to do for him that his current process is lacking? What sort of work process does he envision? He does landscape design and currently uses a drawing board and traces over a photograph of the garden to make the design I do that, but with digital photos and graphics editing software. It's a good way to get a sketch for the client of what needs to be removed and what will be installed. I can do multiple layers and make a slide show presentation of "what we have" in an area, "where we want to go" and the intermediate steps. I don't do it in the field - I take a series of photos with a good camera on a tripod and edit in the comfort of my office with my over-powered computer and humongous screen. Then I can make a scaled drawing in almost any software (what I use is not specific for landscaping, it's open source compatible with AutoCAD) to use to talk to the contractors. ======= Be warned that it takes serious effort and time to get up to speed on full-blown professional level design software - layers, object defining for use and reuse, bills of materials. It's l;ike learning to drive a fighter jet compared to a passenger car. And serious money to buy it or license it. He should try some of the ones with a free version, or a free 30-day trial, to see what he's getting into. He might realize that it's not going to do much for him, he might kick himself for not doing it years ago. His needs might be simple enough that "My First Landscape" is good enough or he might be doing things that need "SUPER-Pro Landscaper Deluxe" models.