by Ed Fenzl, ASLA, Taos, N.M. freelance landscape designer

Figure 1, 1A, 1B: The first phase plans involved gathering the data from the initial site analysis.

This month?EUR??,,????'???s 3D development involves an outdoor recreational area with existing hardscape and plant materials, which are ?EUR??,,????'??fixed?EUR??,,????'?? elements. There is a large back door step pad framed by railroad ties, a basketball court and attractive mature shade trees. There is also an extended driveway to accommodate emergency access to five additional casitas, which were built as part of an expansion project to this residential treatment facility.

Figure 2: The next step was coming up with an AutoCAD 2D plan showing existing and proposed garden features. A lawn, decking, low retaining walls, benches and soft-edge perimeter planters are the unifying design elements.

The first phase plans involved gathering the data from the initial site analysis (including digital photos ?EUR??,,????'??+see Fig. 1, 1a, 1b) and coming up with an AutoCAD 2D plan showing existing and proposed garden features (Fig. 2). This stage of development presented some unique challenges because of unfinished grade changes and the mixed-use sport court vs. casual dining deck. Fortunately, the unifying design elements of lawn, decking, low retaining walls, benches and soft-edge perimeter planters contribute to the harmony among all of the recreational users of this outdoor space.

Figure 3, 3A: The second phase plans began with digital site photos opened in Design Imaging Group?EUR??,,????'???s Landscape Program from several different camera angles to create the elevation view.

The second phase plans for this project began with digital site photos opened in Design Imaging Group?EUR??,,????'???s Landscape Program from several different camera angles to create the elevation view (Fig. 3, 3a). Photographic hardscape and landscape images from program?EUR??,,????'???s libraries were brought in and adjusted to create a conceptual picture of what the backyard might look like after landscaping. When the client and I agreed upon the concept, 3D CAD and SketchUp drawings were able to take this design to the next level.

Figure 4, 4A: I used AutoCAD to build and extrude into 3D the 2D elements?EUR??,,????'??+paths, paved surfaces, three dimensional walls, fences, railroad ties, decking and benches.

The third phase plans begin with removal of all extraneous elements and symbols in the 2D drawing: text, dimensions, notes labels, hatch patterns and drafting conventions related to utilities, survey bearings, environmental conditions and topo information all need to be turned off in the layer fields. The decision to build 3D symbols and scenes in either AutoCAD or SketchUp will be based on your personal preference. The use of pre-built models for site furnishing and landscape items in .dxf and .3ds format is an option if you have the time to browse internet web sites offering such resources.

Figure 5, 5A, 5B: I then imported the preliminary drawing file (*.dwg) into SketchUp and completed the 3D items (buildings, windows, doors and roofs; picnic table, BBQ grill, people, vehicles, lighting, trees, shrubs and groundcover) using tools and component libraries.

Insertion of modeling objects into the standard design programs is usually listed in a ?EUR??,,????'??File-import?EUR??,,????'?? menu pick. For this project, I used AutoCAD to build and extrude into 3D the following 2D elements: paths, paved surfaces, three dimensional walls, fences, railroad ties, decking and benches (see Fig. 4 and 4a). I then imported the preliminary drawing file (*.dwg) into SketchUp and completed the following 3D items using tools and component libraries: all buildings, windows, doors and roofs; picnic table, BBQ grill, people, vehicles, lighting, trees, shrubs and groundcover (Fig. 5, 5a, and 5b). The scene with models was finally completed by applying basic materials, textures, lighting and shadows (Fig. 6, 6a, and 6b). The referenced computer generated graphic files listed above are shown in perspective mode. One of the most outstanding advantages of the 3D scene generated in SketchUp is the ability to view front, back, top, right and left side view angles at the click of a mouse. With SketchUp, Autodesk VIZ and several readily available rendering programs, landscape conceptual and presentation drawings are finally readily available to the landscape architecture and design community.

Figure 6, 6A, 6B: The scene with models was finally completed by applying basic materials, textures, lighting and shadows.