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I agree that paper works fine and that the end result is what is on the ground rather than what is on paper. There is absolutely no reason to switch unless if it is doing everything you need it to do.
A plan is to communicate. As with any communication it is done best when it is at its most efficient. There is no reason to go to extremes learning programs, scaling off of hand drawn field notes, and getting all wrapped up, if all that is necessary is a diagram of the front wall of a house and the location of plants.
If and when you need a higher degree of accuracy, or to communicate to engineers or regulatory bodies, CAD is highly efficient once you are proficient in it.
If you can not draw nicely by hand, as is my case, cad is a great tool. Some hands simply can not put on paper the smooth lines and curves that the mind is telling them to do. I had to learn CAD to get me through my LA degree because my hand drawing would not make the cut. Having to use it got me past the learning curves and comfort curve.
The comfort curve is the hardest to get through. The comfort curve is my words for the ability to feel the drawing. Like Mario said, there is a huge separation between you and the drawing on screen rather than on paper. It takes a lot to overcome that, but you really do. I can honestly say that I can feel the space that I am designing on screen as easily as on paper now.
CAD is not the be all and end all. It does not inherently make for a better landscape or better plan. It is just another tool like a pencil and a pair of hands.
There are huge advantages in certain situations. Almost any plan that I do starts with a CAD file from an engineer or surveyor. I don't have to locate or draw lot lines, houses, contours, or guess about wetlands or other legal issues. In most cases, I hardly have to measure anything on the site and it is very accurate. These CAD files are given with no charge as a professional courtesy. That is hours of time saved on a big project.
Another advantage is that when a project has to go before a regulatory board for zoning compliance or Wetland Protections Act, the plan is accepted with the engineer's plan that it is derived from without the engineer having to get involved again.
There are a ton of other useful things that CAD does that paper can not, but if you don't need any of these than it has no advantage to you.
Bottom line is that it is certainly not necessary for everyone and hand drawn plans are just as professional (more professional in many cases).
I wish I could make beautiful hand drawings, but I can't. I adapted and do the best I can and for me CAD is the answer at this time.
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