[lorax]

I'm looking for landscape design software and a new computer. What are some of the best programs out there for design of both soft and hardscape?
Thanks!

[agla]

You need to identify what you want to do with it, how much you want to invest in the learning curve that they all have, and how much you want to pay for it. Then you can pick from what is available that meets those criteria.

What is right for me may be wrong for you and vice versa.

[lorax]

Well, I'm doing residential landscaping right now with retaining walls, patios and ponds. I want to be able to "draw" up a design and blueprint to show and give to my customers. I am fairly proficient with computers but don't have any formal training but I'm a quick learn. But my husband who is doing most jobs is not great with computers so I would want it to be easy to learn. One of the wholesale nurseries was selling a version by Design Ware ? For about 1000 bucks. I'm willing to spend that plus some and I need to find one quickly because I'm also buying a new computer and I want to make sure what ever I am using will run smoothly with enough room to spare. Are there any trade magazines out there for landscapers that have various products available including software?
Thanks for your reply!

[trees]

I know that Dynascapes has a presence in this forum. It's a great product.

Personally, I have been using Vectorworks for about 4 years and have found it to be really easy to use, integrates well with my Point-of-Sale program, makes a great looking design & has a pretty reasonable pricetag. It's worth checking out.

[agla]

If you want to get your feet wet with an autocad clone. Check out www.progecad.com. It is Intellicad, not a whole lot different than Autocad lt. It is not landscape specific, but it will give you a chance to get the feel of cad.

Oh, by the way, it is free. You just have to look at 1 pop up ad everytime you use it.

This is very handy for anyone using older autocad because you can open ACAD2004 (2005 is still using the 2004 dwg format) format and save it down to any earlier dwg.

[GLAN]

For me

The best design software is between my ears.

Having said that. I honestly can't offer any advice here.....I bought a program couple years back, still needs to be installed. Just like Gopher software. Bought that almost a year ago and haven't installed yet.

Just a little advice.....what maybe best for some is not what is best for other people. Some are more technicaly savy. I would take a couple evenings do a search on software. There are many out there today......see what strikes your fancy. Also keep in mind that for some price determines the features you get. But I wouldn't buy a $3,000 program just on 1 person recomendation when you can find one that is just as adequate for $700

[lorax]

Thanks for all your replies! I really do appreciate it.
Does anyone know if any of the software companies let you "preview" the software? I would like to see it in action if I'm spending close to 1000 bucks. (if thats possible!)

[Gardenhaus]

No matter what software you purchase, you will also need a plotter to print out your great design. Last year we purchased an hp designjet 100 which prints in color or b&w. We usually print everything in B&W. I believe it was around $1000 which sure beats the old plotters at several thousand dollars.

I have it sitting on one part of my desk and they do sell a base for it which I think is another $200-$300. We have four different hp printers from dedicated pic printers to everyday hp printers and have never had a problem with any of them.

[agla]

Many of the programs have a thirty day free trial period. If you buy it, they authorize it by giving you numbers to plug in that only work on your computer.

EaglePoint Landcadd has a free trial as well as others.

[lorax]

Wow -- A plotter... I'm new to this and was just thinking that kinko's would be able to print it out for me. Not sure if it's in my budget to spend and extra grand on a printer right now. Has anyone used Kinko's or some other printer to print out their designs? And thanks for letting me know about the 30 day trial ... I will make sure I ask for that when I buy.

[GLAN]

I have seen some Designware sites where they do a visual tutorial. Not interactive, rather that you kinda sit through movie clips and they show you what the program will do.

Sorry can't remember site names...

If I were you........type in your search "landscape design software" start from there

[Gardenhaus]

It depends on how big your local kinkos or office max is. At our office max I know I can email them things to print out for me on 81/2x11 and I used to get 24x36 copies made there when I used mylar overlays for my drawings, but I had to physically bring them the overlays to copy. I would check with your local kinkos or offiemax to see if you can email your drawing file to them to print for you.

I usually shop at Staples in person or on line since our local office max is dumpy, but I know our local staples is not geared to even copy large drawings just your typical small stuff but they have a great staff for everything else and we don't have a kinkos...wish we did.

I can also email autocadd files to engineers and architects so we can work on each others plans.

[tfld]

You cannot get a .dwg or .plt file plotted/"printed" at any kinkos as far as I know. They do not have cad software. I use a place in town called "rocky mountain blueprint." I can email them a plt file and they usually dont charge me anything and its done on the spot. Most architectural firms are plotting sheet sets with over 50-100 pages of construction drawings. I can also bring a dwg file right to one of the local art supply/repro graphics shops and have a plot done while I wait for about $2 on vellum. More than likely there is someone in you area, especially if there are architects who can plot for you. I havent researched it too much, but last time I looked a "plotter" was going for over $3k.

-n

[lorax]

Thanks you all so much for the information. It was very kind of you to reply and the info will help greatly in getting my landscape business off and running! I've been too busy to research anything on the software yet but I'll get there.
Thanks again to everyone for their time in replying!

[Charlie Humme]

i use design imaging group software for virtual designs and plots. i got an epson printer which will do 17 X 41 inch prints. sometimes i need to go to kinkos but mostly i tell the client where he can get larger prints if he needs them. the virtuals really sell the job! d.i.g. also has an estimating program which marries into the plot program. i haven't needed to use it so i don't know much about it