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[lisa mallory]

It has been full time family these last 12 years. Now, ready to work again and cad is required skill: what is landscape architect's best approach to learn? Classes not nearby...the right reference book, tutorial, software...help! I have invested in Autocad Lt 2004, perhaps prematurely...and have been thru several lessons in the accompanying documentation. Where are the tutorials that relate to landscape architecture? site plans, planting plans?

[gcp310]

Welcome to the forum. You will no doubt want a package that can handle files from architects and surveyors,so autocad is a good start. autocad LT would be fine to start with but there are many features in the full blown version that is not supported in the LT version. Mainly the LISP routines and customisable menus and commands.

You will also want a nice program like coreldraw or illustrator to dress up your presentation drawings.

A great person to PM is F7,his background and knowledge would come handy to a person like you. hes right up on the presentation skills too.

goodluck

G

[lisa mallory]

Thank you gcp, will follow-up on your tips.

[f700es]

Hello Lisa, LT can be a great starting point for some good landscape designs. The only drawback I have with LT is that when AutoCAD 2004 (full version) came out with gradient fills it did not come in LT. I see this as a terrible mistake. Having gradient fills as hatches could have put LT at the top of 2D design software. Now I know that LT2004 did not have it and I guess that LT2005 does not either. Having this could just about remove the need of using an illustration program such as Illustrator or Corel Draw to add that finish look of a color presentation. One option is that on the cover of the current Computer Arts magazine (UK) there is a free copy of Canvas 7. Corel Draw can also be had for much of nothing if you look enough. I got a copy of Draw 8 for about $10 USD shipped.

Here is a link for Corel Draw 9 for under $40 USD
http://www.buycheapsoftware.com/details.asp?productID=62


Or if one wants an older version to play with, here is Corel Draw 7 for $5 USD..
http://www.5dollarsoftware.com/codr7se.html

I was working on a Landscape example for some one but never finished it but let me see if I can dig it up and show how I was using different gradients to give a nice color to a pretty plain plan. Cheers.

F7

[gcp310]

See, i told you F7 would come thru with the goods. :D

G

[lisa mallory]

You guys are tops. Thank you, F7. It's good to know the limitations of Lt2004. Look forward to checking those sites. I'm sure to have more questions; it's good to know you are out there. Ta!

[hyposmurf]

Youll find though that although your use of LISP isnt possible,you can actually use some macro's and diesel commands,to speed your drawing process up.Heres a link to some macro customising. macros (http://www.flatmtn.com/cad/tutorial-tbmacros.html)
Also 2K4 LT features (http://www.cadshop.co.uk/files/2543086_AutoCAD_LT_2004_FB.pdf)

[f700es]

You guys are tops. Thank you, F7. It's good to know the limitations of Lt2004. Look forward to checking those sites. I'm sure to have more questions; it's good to know you are out there. Ta!

Another site to look at and I post this one often is an add on site for LT utilities.
http://www.drcauto.com/products/index.html
This site sells add-ons to allow LT to have 3D Solids, LISP, Bonus Tools, Gradient Fills, Rendering and Image (Raster file) Capabilities.

Here is one of their free image tools for LT
http://www.drcauto.com/download/slingshot/setup.exe

Cheers :)

[hyposmurf]

A member called Kate M has discovered the many delights of LT version,I'm sure youll see her pop up,should you require help.

[f700es]

A member called Kate M has discovered the many delights of LT version,I'm sure youll see her pop up,should you require help.

Good call, she would be in the know on the newer versions. Last one I have is r2002 and I only had it to help train a few users.

[lisa mallory]

Time to get started! Y'all are a big help in cad-land. I need to walk down the road a bit further. Thanks for the map.