Читать книгу Landscaping For Dummies - Lance Walheim - Страница 59

Did you think professional landscape designers only use computer technology? Not so! Many start with penciled drawings. True, they do have special software programs at their disposal (such as Autocad, Vectorworks, and Dynascape) as projects advance. But these programs are pricey and, frankly, figuring out how to use them is a rather steep learning curve. Of course, using them is an investment in their business and something they’ll use again and again, whereas you’re a one-time user. In other words, you don’t need to go out and buy those programs to draw your own landscape plan.

The phone or tablet landscape-planning apps are more accessible and affordable, but they do have their limitations. Some restrict you to built-in elements, and they can be time-consuming to master to your satisfaction. Deciding to use them really depends on how tech-savvy you are.

To find options, search online for “best landscape design software,” and you’ll find up-to-date reviews pretty easily. Here are a few popular ones you can try:

 Home Outside (https://homeoutside.com/mobile-app/) is an iOS app developed by celebrated landscape architect Julie Moir Messervy’s studio. It offers simple and attractive graphics, an easy interface, the ability to draw elements, a photo import, and even layers so you can try different design ideas on the same base plan.

 Morpholio Trace (www.morpholioapps.com) is an elegant app developed for iOS that is great for any level of user. You can start with a sketch of your own, or import a photo or a base plan and then add layers of virtual trace paper to experiment with different ideas. It can be as sophisticated as you want it to be, with tutorials to help you learn how to use its many features. Although it’s not specifically for landscape design, it’s perfectly suited to that use and includes a gallery of tree and plant graphic icons.

 Concepts App (https://concepts.app/en/) is the next level of technical drawing for people who really want to develop accurate plans. Concepts enables its users to progress from rough sketches to measured details in one app. It’s available for multiple operating systems.