HOW LANDSCAPE DESIGN SOFTWARE SUPPORTS PLANNED DESIGN
22 Nov 2011
Landscape design software is used to plan and plot layouts and hardscape features before actually getting down to landscaping a surface for a client.
Landscape design software is used to plan and plot layouts and hardscape features before actually getting down to landscaping a surface for a client. Landscape design software is used by residential home owners to plan their lawns as well as by professional landscaping firms. The larger firms have the luxury of having big budgets and trained staff to deliver a landscaping design for a client, but independent landscaping professionals would find this virtual planning of their designs very useful before implementation. Landscape design software is an integrated software application that has been specifically put together by experts to help people design a visually appealing landscape.
Landscape design software has been designed with the aim of keeping the features aligned with the mindset of landscaping professionals and allowing them to use flexible features that help them present aesthetic landscape designs to their customers.
Features of Landscape design software
It has a simple uncluttered screen that allows easy navigation to the landscaper.
There are a large number of objects – up to 16,000 to use on your design. You can also download free objects from Google 3D warehouse and customize them for future use by adding those images to the library.
The objects vary from all possible add-ons to any landscape like decks, hedges, fountains, patios, fencing, footpaths and lighting among many others.
There are a complete set of online tools that allow the user to edit, insert or delete objects. Every time you add an object, the shadow also gets automatically generated.
Landscape design software comes with interlinked views like 3D and 2D views that you can connect and manipulate separately. For example, you can have a garden view and a pavement view and simultaneously rotate them or elevate them to get an idea of what your client would want.
3D views and walk-through options offer a more flexible client interface as you can email your plans in a 3D format for the client to view. People tend to understand and appreciate what they will get out of a landscape design when they see it actually before them. Walk-through options allow the designer to take his clients through the garden or lawn as if he were actually taking a stroll there.
Advanced photo features make it possible for you to take photos of the client’s property, importing them, and trying out various designs keeping the photo (or multiple photos) as your base.
The software allows manipulation of soft and hard surfaces as well as handling of different terrains like hilly slopes, flower beds and terraces by adjusting elevation and nature of terrain.
AutoCAD drawings can be incorporated through to Landscape design software if you need the architect’s plans also for your landscape.
Landscape design software offers varied support including plant designs, labeling, photo-realistic design, out door lighting and irrigation systems among others. Most packages are accompanied by an in-built and easy to use help-guide and video tutorials to help landscape professionals explore the maximum potential of the software.