Landscape Architect Articles

LASN Technology December 2008: Generation Speed: Part 1: Graphics12-03-08 | Department

Generation Speed: Part 1: Graphics

Ashley Calabria, LASN Technology Editor

The hardscape elements and plant materials of this single-family residence are illustrated in a rendering produced using the Entourage Arts software.
Image: Entourage Arts

After teaching computer graphics for 14 years at The University of Georgia, I have realized that one of the major differences between professionals and students is in taking full advantage of new technologies. Resources are becoming more available as our dependence on computer graphics increases, but due to the hectic pace of the profession, utilizing free or new resources is often too time-consuming to locate.

Students on the other hand, seem to provide, not only an endless amount of energy, but an abundance of technological prowess. They seem to find ways to get end results that are non-traditional utilizing freebies, joining social/networking groups or by trial and error, often considered a luxury of time and a determined fearlessness. The pace of the professional world rarely allows for this type of development. My next several articles will highlight online resources that I?EUR??,,????'?????<

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

Figure 3.
ABOVE: Examples of images available to landscape designers to help speed up workflow include: photorealistic images of trees from Realworld Imagery (figures 1 and 2), and non-photo realistic images from Entourage Arts (figures 3 and 4) and Graphic Sketchbook (figures 5, 6 and 7).

Computer applications for landscape architecture have allowed for faster and more accurate graphics. And within these programs, our profession has built a library of symbols, whether called ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Realworld Imagery

Realworld Imagery, www.realworldimagery.com, offers photorealistic images packaged in bundles according to categories such as; business people, professional trees according to zones, materials, backgrounds and cars (see Figures 1 and 2). High resolution precut images make for quick photomontage production. Discounts apply to multiple disk purchases and multiple user license options are available. Download some free samples by clicking on Samples and then selecting the filename. Insert these TIF?EUR??,,????'?????<

Entourage Arts

Entourage Arts, www.entouragearts.com, offers non-photorealistic (NPR) images packaged in a variety of landscape bundles according to hand graphics mediums such as water color or marker and according to view, plan or elevation (see Figures 3 and 4). As high resolution precut images, they work similarly as the Realworld Imagery images in a variety of common applications. Multiple user license options are available. Download some free samples by clicking on Downloads and add these to your cart. When you checkout, they are free of charge and once you agree to the user license agreement, you can download them immediately to your computer.

Figure 4. Entourage Arts: Marker tree in plan view

Graphic Sketchbook

Graphic Sketchbook, www.graphicsketchbook.com, is a new site which produces individual symbols for sale. What makes this site unique is that users can also sell their own hand graphic symbols. Recent UGA alum, Andrew O?EUR??,,????'?????<Figures 5, 6, and 7).

Figure 5. Graphic Sketchbook: Trees in plan by Gregg Coyle

The program was inspired by a question from it?EUR??,,????'?????<

Out of this question Graphic Sketchbook was born, making traditional graphics digitally available to designers worldwide.

Figure 6. Graphic Sketchbook: Rocks by Gregg Coyle

Starting as a question in the mind of it?EUR??,,????'?????<

Out of this question Graphic Sketchbook was born, making traditional graphics digitally available to designers worldwide.

Launched in October 2008, Graphic Sketchbook primarily targets landscape architects but provides tools and resources for designers across multiple industries. The clip art images of trees, people, cars, and furniture allow a non artist to build ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Figure 7: Graphic Sketchbook: Trees in elevation by Gregg Coyle

There are four simple ways to get involved with Graphic Sketchbook:

Create your profile: It is 100% free and takes just a few minutes

Upload your images: all members are given the opportunity to upload art and sell it in the gallery.

Sell your graphics: once posted in the gallery all member art is available for sale and use by others. All members receive 35% on the dollar of sales of their images.

Contribute to the community: participate in group discussions within the community forums, submit entries to the rendering contests on site for the chance to win cash and prizes.

Graphic Sketchbook hosts monthly architectural rendering contests submitted by architects and developers. Community members are given the opportunity to submit renderings, have their work reviewed by real clients, and build their portfolio. The winning entry receives the cash prize put up by the contest holder.

As usual, I am very interested in other links and sites that promote multi-media representation. Please forward suggestions to Ashley Calabria at calabria@uga.edu.