How to Find the Right Landscape Design Software and What to Look For.

There are many types of landscape design software available. It is important to find the right one depending on professional status or just being a novice. Here are things to think about before buying one. Click here Landscape Design Software to read more.

Ideally, landscape design software would do everything that is needed. It would not contain bugs and would install simply and without a lot of time needed. There will be circumstances where support may be necessary. Possibly, something will not be able to be deleted or the program will freeze up. Other times, the design will be unprintable or the layering will be incorrect. For these times, it will be easy if the company offers good support.

Search for a company that has various forms of support like live chat, training materials, telephone support, and email support. Many people like the fact that they can get answers on the internet or talk to someone in cases of extreme difficulties.

5. Software Performance

It can be quite annoying when a person has to use software that takes time to load. Software with quick reaction is essential.

The above mentioned features are just general things to consider when buying new landscape design software. If a person takes the time and does a bit of research, they are sure to find a product that will serve them well. Both professionals and regular homeowners will find landscaping to be much easier when they use the correct software.

Landscape Design Software can be quite helpful when trying to draw up landscape plans that are just right. The Pros and Cons of Landscape Design Software can vary depending on what software is being used. Each software program will allow for different tools and abilities. This is why much consideration should go into choosing the right software for your specific needs.

Pros of Landscape Design Software

Being able to create your landscaping dream or the dream of your client is one of the great advantages of using this type of software. This software allows you to add and delete certain elements in the planning stages before you start the actual project saving both time and money. This also allows you to be able to have a visual record of what the expected outcome is going to be.

The use of landscaping software also allows you to see potential design flaws and make changes accordingly. Because of the intense labor that goes into a landscaping project, it is quite beneficial to have whatever planning tools you can to save time and effort later. Landscapers are also able to display their plans to the client and make the desired changes. This software can be a great tool for communication between the landscaper and client as they will have a visual aid to ensure that they are on the same page.

Cons of Landscape Design Software

One disadvantage that landscape designers have found with using this type of software is that while they can see the design, they cannot get a "feel" for it. This is because landscapers gain a lot of their design inspiration from getting their hands dirty while working on the project. This makes working with software a much different experience for the landscaper. While some aspects of the project may be simplified for the designer by using landscaping software, that is not true for every aspect of the project.

Although a landscaper can add and delete elements on a software program, there is a limit of what they can accomplish. This problem is greater if the wrong software program is chosen because it may limit the types of tools that they have available to them.

While the software allows the landscaper to work off site, this can hamper the relationship they have with the client. The landscaper may not be as available to the client as they would be if they were working hands on the premises.

Free landscaping packages can be hard to come by if you just want to have a go at redesigning your yard, and seeing how well you do. A few of the better known Landscape Design Software packages offer you a trial period but with a limited package. As far as truly free and complete packages go, there are not that many available. Here is a short list of landscaping packages that are freely downloadable for those willing to put up with the limitations.

1. Google Sketchup

This package has great reviews and is considered by many landscaping professionals to be the best free software landscaping package. The free version is not limited in how long you can use it, but there is an upgrade available with Google SketchUp Pro for $495. The pro version has a few more functions for the more professional landscaper, but it is still possible to create some pretty stunning designs with the free package.

The free version is relatively unmatched by any of the other free landscaping packages but there is a downside to this complexity. The learning curve is pretty steep, so you will need a few days to get familiar with the software in order to use it effectively.

2. Plan-a-Garden From Better Homes And Gardens

This piece of software is designed so anybody can get in and use it, but as a result it is fairly simple in its capabilities. It is perfect for laying out simple designs, which only takes a few minutes to learn.

One feature sorely missed is the inclusion of vegetables, so it can be somewhat problematic to lay out the veggie garden. For a garden limited to flowers, bushes, trees, and shrubs however, you are all set.

3. BBC Virtual Garden Free Tool

BBC have stopped support for this software, and it was buggy to begin with. Many users have expressed difficulty in getting it to work properly, and find that it crashes with alarming regularity. For the few who have managed to get it to work, there is mention of it being able to render the garden in 3D.

4. PlanGarden

PlanGarden is a very simplistic garden designer when put up against the likes of Google SketchUp. If you are looking for something that can also help you manage your garden once you have finalised the design, then it might show some usefulness. It is basically the same as BHGs Plan-A-Garden software, but with the inclusion of vegetables. Unfortunately it is no longer free as it now comes with a 45 day trial.

5. The ShowOff Visualizer

This software works by allowing you to upload a picture of your garden as a backdrop for your designs. It is buggy software that has a lot of limitations. Its usefulness is very limited without the ability to rotate objects once imported, and the fact that there is no 3D mode available.

A difficult to navigate interface along with regular crashes, makes this software’s usefulness very limited. It is however, your second best option compared to Google SketchUp due to its semi advanced landscaping capabilities. Once you learn the ropes it is possible to come up with some nice designs in a relatively short time.

Conclusion

So that is it for free versions of landscape design software, unless you want to try learning the intricacies of some of the free versions of CAD software on the market. Even free programs come with a cost, such as having to put up with bugs, imposed limitations, and the time spent learning to operate them. For simple projects though, the free versions can be an excellent starting point.