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Design Dilemma Landscape Design

Best design/landscaping computer program/app?

4 years ago

Hi Designers!
I'm in the beginning stages of redesigning our home. I prefer to do most of the work myself, but I've come to a roadblock. Some of my work sounds good in my head but turn out to be disasters once implemented. I've decided to plan on paper/app/program as well as in my brain.
There are so many out there and I would like to know your honest assessment of the planning tools you use!

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Comments (4)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
4 years ago
Speaking as a landscape designer, all I can contribute is that computer applications are just that........just a tool that helps with visualization. They are not a substitute for an understanding or background in design. Unless you have some basic design skills under your belt, computerized design programs are just an electronic form of paper and pencil.

The best planning tool I can suggest - with regards to landscape design - is to acquire and study a text book (or a very detailed website) that takes you through the basic design process. That will at least provide you with the basic principles and the elements you need to apply to your computer program in order to generate a viable working design plan.

I would assume interior design has similar requirements.
PRO
Yardvaark
4 years ago
There is definitely an advantage to CAD as one can create objects, as opposed to just drawing pictures comprised of lines. Sketchup is the free or low cost CAD program, but it has a high enough learning curve to be discouraging to many. Though there are tutorials online. It might be one of those things that if you grasp some of the basics, it will begin to "flow." I don't know; I've never made it that far.

Though it is just drawing, I like using MS Paint for plan and visualization, as it is simple ... good for anyone who understands perspective drawing. A simple base plan, since it is mainly lines, can be drawn on it with any computer, using the line and shape tools. The app has a built-in grid and measuring guide that can be toggled on and off. (The default scale is 1"=10', but it doesn't tell you that.) Compared to pencil and paper, it saves a lot of time if needing to erase, or when copying elements. And it is much cleaner. Since it's just drawing, it is not as precise as cad.

For visualization, you can open any landscape photograph in Paint and draw over it, and copy and paste elements within it. However, since that process is not just drawing straight lines, it requires a touchscreen and stylus in order to use the program well.
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Comments (3)
I do something similar to v1rtu0s1ty, in Microsoft Paint (if you have Windows, you'll find Paint in Programs -- Accessories). Paint is just like using graph paper except you can have lots of colors and everything erases -- and you can clone a plan, change it, enlarge it, etc. I also print out the plans, draw changes on the print-outs, then put those final changes in the computer. The way my brain works, I only use the plans to figure out what fits where, and also to keep track of where things are, like where in the front lawn I planted crocus bulbs or how far the shade tree canopies extend). I haven't tried to photograph the front of the house, then alter the photograph in Paint: for instance, draw green blobs on the front of the house to see what the new shrubs will look like. When I want to imagine what something will look like, I stand in the yard and stare at the area in question and try to picture in my mind the proposed change. I do a lot of standing in the yard and staring. (Part of my function in life is to keep the neighbors entertained. "What is that crazy woman doing now?"). Paint.Net is a similar program, and supposedly better; it's free. I've forgotten why I don't use it (probably my OS is too old; I need a new computer). http://www.getpaint.net/ For past discussions of landscape design software, go to the Landscape Design forum page and search "software" at the bottom of the page. Here's a thread where pls8xx discusses how to go about making a landscape plan: http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/design/msg0820393221024.html He uses Microsoft's Paint. The symbols he uses for plants and objects look like things he's created himself, but you can also use graphic elements from picture you scan, photograph, or copy from the Internet. (Store the pictures in My Pictures [or whatever the newer versions of Windows call it], then open them in Paint.) These are some links I have; I'm not sure if you'd find them helpful or not. Some are software and others may be sample garden plans. They're free, but most require registration. http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/design/virtualgarden_index.shtml http://www.bhg.com/bhg/category.jsp?categoryid=/templatedata/bhg/category/data/gardenplans.xml Lowe's used to have a similar planning page on their website, but my link doesn't work, and if the page still exists, I can't locate it.
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Thanks for your response! I actually just purchase Realtime Landscape Pro. It was only $100. I purchased it because the deck design portion got great ratings, and I hope to do a lot of that, but it also seems to have lots of nice features for the price. I'll probably move up to the "Architect" version of Realtime if I really like this. The Architect version is compatible with Sketchup, so I feel like having the basic, free Sketchup, Realtime, and (still have) Smartdraw will cover all my bases. I'm still a very small landscaper/remodeler, so this should be fine for a while. To answer your questions, I'd like to spend as little time as possible learning the software. I like Realtime because, for instance, it adds up the deck dimensions and tells you how much of everything you need. It's automatic whereas Smartdraw and Sketchup seem very manual. Realtime also has leaps and bounds more plant/tree options to choose from than Smartdraw and the Architect version will list all of the characteristics of each plant if you want as well, along with many other nice features.
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SketchUp for sure. You can get a 31 day trial for free. Download the pro version. Autocad yes. I'm not sure I'd suggest Autocad. I use it because I have it. These days you don't "have" anything in the software world; you rent it. There have been other recommendations in Houzz forums for residential design software. Do a search or maybe someone will chime in here.
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Comments (2)
Whatever software you find, a computer monitor will not accurately display colors, especially true for light wall colors.
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PRO
Revolutionary Gardens
4 years ago
I wouldn't rush into a computer program. I've been using AutoCAD since 2004, and we also use Sketchup and some other 3D and rendering software here at Rev G World HQ. But our workflow is typically hand drafting on trace paper -> then AutoCAD -> then 3D or visualization software once the hard parts are worked out. Everyone's time is finite, doing a course on hand drafting through Udemy (or even finding some YouTube videos) will give you more bang for your buck vs the the time for the learning curve for a program.
PRO
Dig Doug's Designs
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
The lower priced options of this software will be very helpful to you:https://www.ideaspectrum.com/professional-landscape-software/

As GG mentions, these tools still require a knowledge of plants & design principals in order to get the best finished product. However, trial & error on a computer versus trial & error installing plants pays for the software immediately.

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