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This month, I had the chance to learn more about LANDWorksCAD by CAD International. My interview was conducted with Nigel Varley, CEO of the company in Avalon, New South Wales, Australia proving again the remarkable globalization of our industry.  Landworkscad gives us the ability to quickly generate high-quality conceptual designs and get them to clients early in the design process.”—Tin Tuppa Horticultural LASN: Describe your company/product in your own words? NV: (We) are a world leading developer of computer aided design (CAD) software and support services, focusing on providing leading edge solutions to a broad base of design related clientele. Our slogan, “Design Better Faster Funner,” encompasses our philosophy toward the software we develop, typically exceeding the needs of industries as diverse as landscape design, landscape architecture, architecture, mechanical design, structural drafting, product design and general drafting, as well as individual corporate needs in fields such as shipping, construction, manufacturing, storage, space management, national power supply and telecommunications. All levels of landscape and environmental design and management fields use this software from landscape architects doing civic projects to small landscape design firms doing domestic back yards to government agencies managing large tracts of national land areas. Commencing as the CAD division of a small drafting supply company in 1982, the company grew and developed frontier design software for major corporations and SMEs globally. These products surpassed existing products in the market and brought intelligent design into areas unexplored by conventional software of the time. LANDWorksCAD is our flagship application for landscape architects and designers, bringing the power and accuracy of conventional CAD software together with artistic graphic ability and significant ease of use characteristics. The landscape industry has never before had this combination of flexibility and ability in a purpose built software solution.  ABOVE & BELOW: “I do a lot of vegetation management plans, and in LandworksCAD the ability to put in an existing species table, document spatially accurately where the weeds and the natives are, and record the densities is very useful. Overlaying the grid tool for easy reference on the location of items is also a very valuable tool. I must say that LandworksCAD is really flexible simple and fast.”—Anne Harrison, Landscape Architect  LASN: What are some of the advantages to using the software? NV: Other than the price, the greatest benefit designers find is it is significantly easier to learn and is easier and faster to use with tools specifically designed to get the most tedious aspects of the job completed quickly. Its ability to work with traditional CAD files, scanned drawings, Google maps and aerial photographs and seamlessly moving from 2D to 3D make it a very flexible tool indeed. The customizable Excel plant database also means that users are not locked in to any pre-configured plant list, and can add and edit the data so their drawings not only have the plants they desire but the images to represent those plants can be individualized. No two designers need have the same looking drawings. Concept plans can be converted into working plans and 2D drawings can be converted into 3D CAD models at the click of a button. LASN: That sounds pretty flexible in terms of a CAD program. I can appreciate the easier learning curve and the word “fun” in your motto. How does the software compare to the competitors? NV: It’s difficult to compare directly with competitors, as there is no other package available that offers everything that is available in our package for the same price. It is simple to learn, simple to use, faster to use and therefore gets designs completed. In general we find that our customers actually enjoy using the product more than the alternatives they have tried. Beyond that, a notable difference is that if you purchase the software you get a full set of training manuals and videos included. We do also supply online training courses, but if you purchase the software, you should be able to learn to use the product with the tools that are included with the package. Our more in-depth training and product support options are also considerably less expensive than our competitors.  Online certificate courses—CAD level 1, 2 and 3—take you through the software step by step and also let you watch someone else working with the software. PDF and video manuals explain every command. LASN: How does the product work with other popular computer applications such as SketchUp or Photoshop? NV: It operates seamlessly with image editing software such as PhotoImpact and Photoshop in two ways. Users can insert images created in these applications as part of their drawing, including the use of photographs of plants and aerial photos, etc., and can also export the entire CAD drawing into formats that you can brush up using these image editors. A simple CAD line drawing can be made to look like a watercolor or pantone pen hand drawn masterpiece in a few simple clicks. We love using SketchUp with our software and find many users prefer to do initial sketch designs in 3D and add them to their LANDWorksCAD drawings. The current version will use SketchUp Pro DXF or DWG file import and export ability or can use any image snapshot from SketchUp to adorn a drawing. V6 of the software will introduce the ability to use models from the 3D warehouse or ones you may have created locally. V6 will, however, provide 3D modeling tools that will probably see most users never need to use SketchUp at all. LASN: Will you provide more information on what kind of training is offered for learning your product or for receiving help? NV: After years of delivering face-to-face classroom training we have converted what has been done in these to more easily recalled and less expensive online training courses. The online certificate courses (there are 3: CAD level 1, 2 and 3) take you through every step of the way and allow you to not only watch and hear someone else working with the software, but also complete simple step-by-step exercises you can submit for marking. The software comes with printable PDF manuals and video manuals for every command. The company also provides direct hotline support via email and phone. LASN: What is the 2009 price list and do you offer a trial version on line? NV: There are currently two versions: Pro—a full 3D CAD program, and LT—a 2D version. The U.S. list prices are as follows: LANDWorksCAD Pro – $1,999 There is a trial version online (or we can send trial CDs) that is also provided with a short introductory free training tutorial. The trial software and the commercial version both include a full video assistant training tool and training manuals. To find out more information on the products and services at CAD Int’l go to: www.cad.com.au or www.land8lounge.com |
