[schleng]

Most of the time I use the Surveyor's CAD files for my drawings. However, there are times when I only have the client's survey. In that case I scan and bring it into Bricscad as a raster image. I trace over it and then delete the image. I then measure two points and do the math in relationship to what the real measurement is....then scale it right in Bricscad.

I never said it, but I guess I don't want to spend over $1000 right now on AutoCAD....so, Agla, your thinking was rather correct. Maybe one day....

Susan

[PLC-Landscape]

Sas, in my opinion AutoCad is a crap program. The way you're doing it makes much nicer designs. Unless you're going to autocad out of necessity, like it's required for work, I wouldn't switch. I've used autocad and vectorworks for mac, but totally prefer a freehand look any day over the autocad look....

[sumski]

AutoCAD is one hell of a program. Works and project are great but you really have to know how to use it (not to mention how many different ways of doing same thing exist).

I use CAD when I"m cooperating with architect, or someone who work with dwg and leading the project (where I am a co-operant) and do all the work in CAD.

[saslandscape]

I haven't really been wanting to do AutoCAD, but it seems like the industry is demanding it, especially since I'm finding out the landscape companies I'm trying to do designs for think it's a pretty nifty program and are asking me if I can switch from hand graphics. Hand graphics are a dying art, and are being replaced by CAD, and anyone not using CAD in this area is considered "old school."

There's something almost generic about AutoCAD drawings that bothers me, but like I said, landscape companies really like the program, and I have to keep myself marketable. And yes, I was once a student in Landscape Architecture, so I know of the frustrations you're talking about tfld.

The reason I go all out in coloring the designs, is I find that it makes the client extremely excited about getting the project started. They tell me they can visualize it because it's in color instead of black and white. If I do AutoCAD, I guess I'll still try to color it as though I had hand-drawn the project.

[tfld]

Most of the above posts indicate AutoCAD as a "design" program or a tool to replace hand-drawing. Typically, in larger landscape architecture offices (and even smaller ones) autocad is used only as a drafting tool later in the submittal process to convey hard data about the design or for drafting highly-accurate developmental drawings like sections. Hand-drawing will never die. I suppose how and to what capacity you use the software depends on the application. Still, I hate to see work where it appears the designer went straight to dropping plant symbols over a survey or plat in CAD. It's a very poor way of design, IMO.

What competition?

[papercutter]

Originally Posted by tfld

What competition?

I like the attitude! Want a job in VA when you graduate?

Not quite getting where the argument is. I assume I use the same workflow thousands of other CAD users do: basemap the site in AutoCAD using the plat, measure the site and field-verify elements of the plat, enter the additional data in CAD, plot a basemap, work it all out on trace, and draft the final in AutoCAD and create presentation drawings appropriate to the client and the job. I often prefer the look of hand-drawn graphics, IF they're done well, but I love the convenience and efficiency of doing takeoffs and construction plans in AutoCAD. and there's no ammonia smell like with the diazo machine!

[tfld]

Originally Posted by papercutter

I like the attitude! Want a job in VA when you graduate?

Not quite getting where the argument is. I assume I use the same workflow thousands of other CAD users do: basemap the site in AutoCAD using the plat, measure the site and field-verify elements of the plat, enter the additional data in CAD, plot a basemap, work it all out on trace, and draft the final in AutoCAD and create presentation drawings appropriate to the client and the job. I often prefer the look of hand-drawn graphics, IF they're done well, but I love the convenience and efficiency of doing takeoffs and construction plans in AutoCAD. and there's no ammonia smell like with the diazo machine!

No worry. I was just trying to sound like I knew what I was talking about but I dont. Thanks for the kind gesture, but I already work for these guys...

[saslandscape]

You work for them?? I remember back in college, they came to my school, and I remember how hard it was to get a job with them, and how they get so many applications (especially their Aspen & Lake Tahoe locations). They had students sending the most creative portfolios just to be noticed for the job. Good work tfld

[tfld]

I worked in the Denver office until just recently. I also worked for EDAW in Fort Collins two years ago. Since I no longer have a car I took a job here and commute 5 miles back and forth on my bike everyday. One more year til graduation so I can compete with papercutter. For now, I work with a bunch of Civils mostly and try to understand what theyre talking about...maybe this is why I was trying to make the point here about CAD, seeing daily as how the civil types use CAD.

Just ignore me...I'll be in the corner, drawing.

[papercutter]

Nick, if I thought for a second you took me seriously, I'd find someone in your area to check in and make sure you were ok.

That's a heck of a resume you're building. I'd love to see what your portfolio looks like.

[tfld]

Originally Posted by papercutter

Nick, if I thought for a second you took me seriously, I'd find someone in your area to check in and make sure you were ok.

That's a heck of a resume you're building. I'd love to see what your portfolio looks like.

I need to learn to love using the emoticons...I couldn't even tell what this guy was doing. I thought he had a lice infestation.

and one of these...