Experience with landscape software?
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I'm wondering if anyone out there has experience with Landscape Design Software and has a recommendation for a program. The front of our home has a slight slope and had been covered in smaller rocks, after buying I tore the rocks off the one side and put a temporary garden in until I could find a permanent spot for a much larger one. Now I'm stuck with this ugly area and would like to transform using mulch, perennials, perhaps a water feature and I'm having a creative block. Any help would be helpful. TY
6 answers
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I, too, am wondering about a software program as I have to redesign my back yard landscape. Is there a free download available?
Bonny McDaniel
on Feb 16, 2015
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I tried a few free ones - they were rubbish! Vectorworks - I got it, but I just need a dozen weeks of one to one tuition - not going to happen. Now training on Drawing Express from Trial Systems, much easier but really too expensive and needs more training than a one off use warrants. I have designed gardens professionally for 15 years without a computer, and so can you. Computers help with the presentation and estimating, they are no use at creativity - I still have to do that bit! Get busy with tape measure and pencil and paper and have fun!
Kathy C
on Feb 17, 2015
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Microsoft has one, don't remember the name. It is Photo Shop based. You can take a jpeg image of the area you want landscape, load into program; then go to a library of shrubs, tress, hardscapes etc. You can click and drag the species of plant, boulder etc. you want or are thinking about over the image of your property that you uploaded . I think it is expensive. It might be cheaper to use a landscape designer that has such a program. Often the will deduct the cost of the design process if you purchase XXX number of dollars in stock.
Paddy
on Feb 18, 2015
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I am using Realtime Landscaping Pro 2014 by Idea Spectrum, and I love it! We are completely redoing our 2 acres, and have had several professional landscapers give us ideas. I haven't loved any of them, so I decided to do it myself. I did pay for the software, but I know they have various versions with varying prices. With mine, you can add a picture and use it as a template. I used a top-down photo from Google Earth so I could outline our house, existing trees, etc, and went from there.I'm sure there are directions, but I was able to figure it out on my own. (I'm not sure how computer savvy you are - I'm very proficient and not intimidated by software - I know a lot of people are.) You can set up your landscaping as you like it, then click on the button that gives you a walk-through during any season you choose and see what it will look like. Here's the link to their website: http://www.ideaspectrum.com/index.php Good luck in your search!
Margie
on Feb 18, 2015
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The free versions out there are rubbish like @Kathy C said. I bought a very expensive program ($4K!) when I ran my garden design business, but it was riddled with problems every time there was an update and countless hours spent building my library were wiped out. Not too mention that you are forced to pay an on going annual fee in order to use the software! Honestly, if this is for your personal use, get out there with a measuring tape and draw it out. I have used the Google Earth trick as @Margie has done to get a birds eye view for getting a rough scale of existing trees and structures to place in your drawing. If you are in need of some garden consulting, please feel free to send me a picture of your garden issue and I would be happy to advise :)
Sow and Dipity
on Feb 19, 2015
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all true @Sow and Dipity. Find a straight line as your base line, often the facade of your house and then use a long tape measure and triangulate and measure everything off the base line, and all round the garden. Get busy with paper and compass and watch those little arcs join together! Mind you, a plan is fine as a 'recipe card' but to see what your garden could look like, take photographs of your garden, to and from the doors and windows. Copy to A4 black and white. Draw on with a fat felt pen what you would like to see, simple cloud shapes for bushes, lollipops for trees and so on. Have fun!
Kathy C
on Feb 19, 2015
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