Landscape Architect Articles

LASN computers and CADD February, 198802-01-88 | News

CADD and the Educational Process

by Scott Weinberg

Landscape Architects are beginning to take the first steps necessary to move toward computer literacy. This literacy, however, does not come easily to the masses of practitioners in our field. The first step many offices are taking is that of hiring students with some formal training in computer applications. The number of graduates with computer training today is a fraction of the overall graduate population. This trickle of trained students will become a full flow within the next five to seven years. Many students with a computer background are finding it easier to secure job placement.

The possible applications of the computer in landscape architecture is enormous. Programs (software) are available to the practitioner in areas of engineering, plant selection, geographic information systems (mapping), image processing, cost estimating and computer-aided drafting and design (CADD). Each one of the types of software mentioned has many different authors and selection of a package should be made only after comparison shopping. Each of the programs provide the Landscape Architect with a ?EUR??,,????'??tool.?EUR??,,????'?? This tool works to aid the designer to increase efficiency and accuracy. No programs on the market today take the role of the Landscape Architect out of the design process. The practitioner is the designer. The computer allows the design process to be accelerated, which enables the designer to look at more alternative solutions.

Drafting Board to Computer Screen

With all the software available today, none is as impressive as the CADD programs. This software allows the computer screen to become the drafting board. Mistakes, additions and corrections to plans can be handled in minutes, providing finished drawings with the same high quality as the original.

One of the more popular CADD programs is called LandCadd. This program was written and developed for Landscape Architects by a Landscape Architect. The programs aid in developing designs using standardized symbols provided in the program.

The Side Effects

Along with countless benefits to the practitioner (these will be elaborated on in the next article in this two part series) students of landscape architecture really benefit from some of the ?EUR??,,????'??side effects?EUR??,,????'?? of this technology. As a professor of landscape architecture, I have found that many students have trouble visualizing in a three-dimensional mode. By working with the LandCadd program in two dimensions the students are able to produce a three-dimensional picture on the screen in a matter of seconds. These three-dimensional images provide the missing link to the students and enable them to more fully understand their design images. The following figures were drawn of a county courtyard. The information was compiled and entered as a plan view (figure 1) and brought back to the screen in two different three-dimensional views (figures 2 and 3). The three-dimensional views possible from this type of program are infinite.

Along with the benefits that are found in helping students to better visualize their design work the computer-aided drafting and design packages offer other advantages for the student. In the LandCadd program, once you have set the size of the screen that would take on the dimensions of the site, all amenities are scaled to their correct size automatically. The program has, for example, sports-related court activities that are available to you at the touch of a button. Basketball, tennis courts, soccer fields and other sports activities can be ?EUR??,,????'??dragged?EUR??,,????'?? across the screen and ?EUR??,,????'??planted?EUR??,,????'?? in their correct locations for your design. Figure 4 is an example of one hour of work. The program was to provide a conceptual park design using active sports on a given site. Figure 5 is an example of a slope analysis may prepared as part of a site analysis package.

Greater Efficiency and Quality

y utilizing this type of program, students are able to conceptualize, design and visualize their design work with a better understanding. Enabling the student to better understand the design usually accelerates the rate of speed in the design process and also produces a better product. Working with students during the past two years it becomes evident that the new CADD technology has them excited about their future within their field. Many students realize that they are on the cutting edge of the CADD era and see themselves making a highly productive contribution, immediately, in the offices where they will be employed. Unlike students in the past, spending the first months drafting and grading parking lots, the computer literate graduates will provide their employers with needed services during the first days on the job.

No one answer to working with computers and design will solve all the problems. Each person working within the process develops and matures at different rates. The use of computers seems to stimulate the students to work harder, longer and in more detail compared to working on the ?EUR??,,????'??traditional?EUR??,,????'?? boards. In the end it is still up to the individual to work out the design. The computers serves only as a tool in the overall process.

Scott Weinberg is a professor of landscape architecture at the University of Georgia?EUR??,,????'???s School of Environmental Design in Athens, Georgia. He is also head of the computer workshops for ASLA National Conventions and in charge of ASLA CADD professional practice seminars. Weinberg (in conjunction with colleague Professor Roger Moore) is also a certified trainer for the LandCad Company Training Center at the University of Georgia.