What To Look For In A Landscape Design Software

The main objective of this article is to help you find the best landscape design software for your specific needs whether you are a professional designer or a DIY homeowner. The following are some factors that you may want to consider when looking for a landscaping program.

1. Features

A professional landscaper needs a program that has advanced features that will make landscape design easy. If you are an average homeowner, a program with basic features will do. Most landscaping programs have thousands of features so, be sure to find one that has all the features that you may need. Complicated software programs should only be used by professionals. Beginners should try to find simple programs for their personal use.

2. Simplicity

A programs that is easy to understand and simple to use is desirable. An intuitive program will come in handy especially if you are new to landscaping. The best programs are easy to use and the average user can run the program and explore its features and capabilities without any problem. A program that does not have a steep learning curve is desirable for users of every level.

Look for programs that have intuitive graphical user interface. This will make it easy for you to find the features you need to finish your design project quickly.

3. Price

Compare different products that have similar functions and choose the most affordable one. The quality and features of the program should match its price.

4. Support

Every good thing has its downside. When it comes to landscape design software, you will often encounter bugs when using the program. In such cases, you may need technical support. Therefore, you should buy a program that comes with good technical support.

Look for a software firm that offers support in terms of training materials, telephone support, online forums, live chat, FAQ page and email support. If you experience any problem when using the program, you can refer to these materials or call the company's technical support team.

5. Performance

There is nothing as annoying as having to wait for 5 to 10 minutes for the software to respond to a simple click. Look for programs that have a quick response.

However, you should know that apart from the software itself, response time is also influenced by the speed of your computer among other factors.

Conclusion

These are the main factors to consider when looking for landscape design software. Good luck on your search.

Landscape Design Software That You May Want To Use

Finding free landscape design software can be very challenging. The following are some of the free landscape design software programs that can be found online.




Landscape Designing

 Google SketchUp         


This is the best free option according to landscaping professionals. You can use the program without paying anything for as long as you wish. However, you will have to pay 495 dollars if you wish to upgrade to the more advanced Google SketchUp Pro. The Pro version of the software has advanced features and can create amazing designs.


The only shortcoming of the free version of Google SketchUp is that it has a steep learning curve. This means that you will not be able to utilize the program fully once you download it. You will have to spend a few days exploring its features before you can create any design.




Landscape Design Software can make your job easy

 Better Homes and Gardens    


The free version of BHG or Better Homes and Garden is known as Plan-a-garden. This program is very easy to use. However, it is still outranked by Google SketchUp in almost every other aspect. If you only need a simple garden design, this program will do the trick.


The only disadvantage is that the designs created using this software have structures, trees, bushes and flowers but no vegetables.


BBC's Virtual Garden


Many people use the free landscaping tool provided by the BBC. Getting this garden tool to work properly can be challenging at times. The company does not offer customer support and the program is known to crash frequently.


If you are able to get it to work, then you can come up with 3D designs using this software program.


PlanGarden


Compared to Google SketchUp, this program belongs to the other end of the spectrum. It was designed to help homeowners design and manage their gardens.

 The SnowOff Visualizer


Compared to many free design tools, this program is very useful. The software allows users to incorporate pictures of objects onto the final design.


Like most free offers, the program has many bugs and has no 3D capabilities.


All said and done, this software comes second after Google SketchUp when it comes to landscaping.


Free CAD programs


There are several computer aided design (CAD) programs that you can use to come up with landscape designs.


While these programs may not have been created for landscaping, they can do the trick. Apart from 2D designs, these programs can also be used for 3D landscaping.


Conclusion


There are some limitations of using free software, so they are not necessarily free. For instance, you will have to make due with basic features and lots of bugs. Both professional and individual homeowners should use paid landscape design software for all their landscaping needs.

Exploring the Pros and Cons of Landscape Design Software

As with anything else, there are Pros  and Cons of Landscape Design Software. Software programs have made the creation of visualizing potential landscapes possible for the first time. Depending on which type of software is used, there are different likes and dislikes among users of these programs. Before deciding on which one to use, check out Design Software Reviews and read the information as to the specifications of the software and what it will and will not do. Following are features and information to consider concerning the various programs.

Pros and Cons of Landscape Designing Software

Pros:
Design software allows the creation of landscaping from anywhere a person happens to work, and no-one is limited to a specific worksite area. One of the most convenient uses is having the opportunity to try new theories in design. This enables the designer to try working out the particulars while creating the design. In other words, before actually implementing a plan, the designer can explore the concept more thoroughly without worrying about making a mistake that would be hard to correct if it were actually carried out.

Potential problems can be worked out before starting to do the work if landscaping software is used beforehand. Since landscapers put a lot of work into any project, they know that tools that help in the planning stage are a valuable asset. A landscaper can create a design and show it to the client before starting the work. In this way, if there is something the customer does not like, it can be changed immediately. It is naturally much easier to change items in the planning stages than after work has begun.

Cons:
Since landscapers have a hands-on job, they feel one disadvantage of landscaping software is in not being able to get the feel of the design he or she is creating. Software may not give the same inspiration to a designer as the feel and smell of the plants, rocks, soil and so on, and it may feel as though something is missing.

There may be limits in what the software allows the landscaper to accomplish, as well. If the software is not the right choice for the project, the features may not be available to make the necessary changes in case something unexpected develops. Another concern is if the landscaper is working offsite and has only the software program to highlight the work, the relationship with the client may not be the same.