[John Palasek]

I recently recieved my trial version of Landscape Illustrator from LSI Software.

I am currently using Designware software for imaging and Planscape for site planning, both from DIG Software.

The LSI software has some interesting features regarding site planning tools and, of course, the pastel renderings seem far superior to what I could produce with Planscape, which is why I sent away for the trial version.

However, does anyone know if it's possible to scan in a survey in Landscape Illustrator and trace the footprint of the house?
I can do this in Planscape and it's a real time saver as I do not have to spend any time taking site measurements and then transferring those measurements into the software as I apparently have to do with Illustrator.

Also, Illustrator apparently lacks a "Cloning" tool in its imaging software as well.

These may seem like minor issues, but in my opinion, both of those features are very helpful. It seems like Illustrator requires many steps - many "clicks", to accomplish what I can now do in DesignWare and Planscape in half the time. Like I said, the rendering ability of Illustrator is phenomenal, but without those other features, I can't see spending the money on a permanent version.

Solutions?

Opinions?



Thanks in advance!



-JP

[ianc]

Hi John

I can address your questions, do you want me to PM you or reply directly to this post

~ian

[agla]

Why not share it with everyone?

[ianc]

Hi John

My response to your questions:

-------question---------
However, does anyone know if it's possible to scan in a survey in Landscape Illustrator and trace the footprint of the house?
I can do this in Planscape and it's a real time saver as I do not have to spend any time taking site measurements and then transferring those measurements into the software as I apparently have to do with Illustrator.

-------reply---------
The same principal applies to scanning a lot survey as does the imaging view, the difference being that when you scan your lot survey you require a known measurement (tick strip) such as the longest measurement possible a property boundary line clearly noted on the lot survey.

-Scan your lot survey and save as a BMP file – insert into the C:/LSI Software Inc/Drawings dir
-Enter the DRAW COMPONENT – choose any size paper
-Click on WORK IMAGE – IMPORT BITMAP and choose YES when asked if you want the paper size adjusted to the BMP image
-the paper size will be adjusted to fit the lot survey image
-Using the MEASURE tool drag the two points to the beginning/end of your known measurement, the image will be adjusted to the length value you enter
NOTE: the above item is a ver 06 release and not available on the 05 Trial (in the 05 Trial you have to resize the image to suit the required value)

In the latest 06 release we have streamlined the scanning + scaling of a lot survey and I agree in the 05 Trial the process does involve extra steps

Video: Importing a Picture into the Imaging View
http://www.lsisoft.ca/video/lesson-d.exe
One of my files: (large estate displaying the lot survey + completed landscape)
http://www.sunderland.ca/gtx_sample.zip
it contains one file gtx_sample.lsi
-Open up the object list and uncheck ITEM (2) PASTE this will make the lot survey invisible and you can see the traced house footprint and associated landscape

-------question---------
Also, Illustrator apparently lacks a "Cloning" tool in its imaging software as well.

-------reply---------
Your correct we do not have a CLONING tool most of out users have used the cut n paste to cover undesirable elements on the image before imaging. I am the software support person for LSI and there has not been to much call for a cloning tool, I will talk it over with my business partner about the possibility.

A great deal of our development has been geared towards Plan View functionality and new clipart themes, The Pastel clipart has been well received and a majority of user prefer those items of clipart over the photographic or cad style images

Any questions you can contact me at lsi@lsisoft.com

[John Palasek]

Ian,


Thanks for the info.

No cloning tool?

That all by itself is probably a deal breaker. I've been using DesignWare for a long time for imaging and I don't know what I'd do without a cloning tool.
It has more uses than a Swiss Army knife and I use it in ways which many folks might not even think of.

Cutting and pasting always leaves a "seam" or a variation in color value, not to mention the "Xerox" effect which to me is a no-no. And yes, I know there's a "Blend" tool, but that's just another extra step and it's still not as good as a cloning tool.

As far as the survey scanning goes, well, that's another issue. The first that it isn't available in the '05 version, and secondly that it still doesn't seem to be as user friendly as what I'm used to.

With Planscape, all I do is scan in the survey and then click on an icon that looks like a tape measure. I find a whole-number dimension on the survey, like a garage wall or whatever. Then I click once on the start point, once on the end point and then a dialogue box pops up and I simply type in the dimension from the survey like, say, 21'.

I click "OK" and now the entire plan has been scaled. I can now trace over the house footprint, property lines, easements and outline existing extras like swimming pools, sheds, or whatever else is relevant to the design and it's all done to scale. When I'm ready to start my design, I simply click on a command which reads: "Back Image" and the scanned survey disappears and I'm left with a scaled, traced, ready to go outline.

I can do this either as a simple line drawing or with a "trace" pen which will do the same thing but will also allow me to figure the square footage and line weights can be varied as well.

Like I said, the graphic presentation capability of LSI is very impressive. But I'm afraid that without the survey scan, and especially without a cloning tool, I think I'll stick with what I have until I can find something else.

Don't get me wrong, I like what I'm using, especially the imaging program, but it's just that PlanScape's site plan graphics leave much to be desired.



The search continues...



Thanks anyway!

-JP

[sdinenno]

If you need to do image editing with a cloning tool, you can download the GIMP which is open source (free) software similar to Adobe PhotoShop. Then you can edit your image before importing it into Landscape Illustrator.

The Gimp

[georgiehopper]

I am checking out LSI even as we speak. I have trialed this program I think for the last 4 years... and I always run out of time before I've figured out how to work with it properly.

I love the drawings that can be produced with it... I don't really care about the photo imaging because my Earthscapes software does an excellent job with that.

I wish there were a way to purchase LSI without the photo imaging option included.

I'm on my 2nd day with it... I am doing the tutorial and stoopid ol me can't even get past drawing the base plan. ..I still havent figured out how one can "drag" the nodes .... If I could get past this, I would consider finally purchasing this program.

[ianc]

Hi georgiehopper

the 06 trial version is up for download as of last week,

you can PM me with any particular questions

~ian

[HRLand]

I tried the 05 version but didn't get far because of the survey scanning and tracing issue that john had. I also use planscape, mainly for hardscape designs and smaller planting jobs if
it's not worth going to the designer. The feature I like best is being able to trace or draw as a closed polygon and then get instant calculations for square footage. Does the 06 LSI do this or could it be incorporated?

[georgiehopper]

06 version does the trace thing too