Any good landscaping CAD packages?

[RobertN]

I'm looking for a good landscaping CAD program. My wife and I are looking at drawing our property, and improvements we want to do. Then, we want to be able to do small landscape jobs for others, and want to be able to draw it on a CAD program.

A few years back, I had a very brief intro to AutoCad-LT. But, the group I worked in used it for mechanical drawing.

My wife has a Demo copy of "GrowitME". We're not sure if it's a good package, or???? She is also looking at "Smart Draw 6".

Anybody expierienced with this stuff that could recommend a good software package?

 

[mdbarb]

I'm an architect that uses Autocadd every day. My wife is a Landscape Contractor who leaves anything computer to me. I have been looking for years for a simple landscape program that can do irrigation layout, materila list etc for $500 or less So far I havn't found anything. I recall Eagle Point had a bunch of different modules which got $ quick. All of the really cheap programs are really cheep - (OK if you want to put a level lawn in a rectangle but not much good for the real world) Perhaps this has lit a fire under me to make another pass at seeing what is available

 

[RobertN]

We're not against spending money for a good program. This "Smart Draw-6" seems ok, from the demo. It's about $175. We're just not sure what all is out there, and are still learning what questions to ask/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif I do remember that AutoCad-LT cost a lot more than $175.

I know Auto Sketch used to be able to do it; I played with it a tiny bit a few years back. But, that was at an old employer. I did not have a personal copy.

Thanks!

 

[Hakim]

Pro CAD programs are going to run into a lot of money. If you plan to do this professionally, it may be worth the investment.

If you want to $50 consumer version, you may want to look at Sierra's "Complete LandDesigner."

Some Excerpts from a Software Review...

"For most of us, unless we hire a landscape architect, the home's landscape evolves. You have a general idea of what you want and then you add trees, shrubs, grass, ground covers, etc. Over time you'll add and remove what you think works in your landscape. The premise behind software packages like Complete LandDesigner is you can see a representation of what your landscape will look like before you ever plant a thing.

The Complete LandDesigner two CD package includes:

3D Landscape
Photo LandDesigner (you can import a photo of your home and then landscape around it using drag and drop.)
Garden Encyclopedia
3D Deck and a user manual.

I read most of the manual and ... zeroed in on 3D Landscape to see if I could design my side yard using the program.

... you'll find Complete LandDesigner is quite a package for the money.

The first time through the program offers video and guidance to help you along your way as you draw out your property boundaries and a representation of your home. For me this was the most difficult and I never did quite get my house to look right with its long porch, 8 foot sliding glass doors and sloping property.

You also need to add driveways, patios, walls, walks, etc. The more willing you are to explore the program the easier it'll become. I spent a couple of hours and ... printed out a black & white top view of my proposed landscape that was actually kind of neat; a 3D view that I wouldn't write home about, and a price list for the things I would need to complete my landscape.

There's also a design guide that suggests different garden ideas along with site preparation and more. The program will also connect you with the Sierra Web site so you can download some add ons for the program such as more houses, additional trees and shrubs, fountains and spring flowering plants. "

I'm sure the pro programs run rings around this one, but hey, for 50 bucks... it'll let you get our feet wet pretty cheap.

 

[DavidInNH]

I've got a copy of SmartDraw 6 and it is OK for the 2D drawing that I do at work, but it doesn't have a 3D mode. I have 3D Home Architect for drawing barn plans. I wouldn't use it for landscaping, but it does make me think that I would really want a program with 3D capabilities when designing landscapes. Being able to see the design in 3D and from different angles is really useful.

-david

 

[RichC]

We just purchased "Master Landscape & Home Design" from "Punch Software". It was about $70.00 off the shelf with a $20.00 rebate. We have an older copy of Sierra's Landscape package and found it hard to use. I have not even installed the new software but will let you know.
Autocad LT is way too complex for a layman.
As a rule, I've found that price can be a good indicator for what you get. . .meaning that $175+ will require you to educate yourself a lot! $20.00 for software will require only a little self-education but won't provide all the umph! of a more powerful software package. So, we looked for a happy medium. I'll get back with a review after awhile.