This is an example of basic CAD line work.

 

The default ''wiggle pen stroke'' is shown here. Individual styles are applied to each layer in Autodesk Impressions; line weight can be adjusted by layer. Line weights and pen stroke wiggle or ''roughen'' effect can be adjusted by double clicking the layer in the ''Current Layer's Style'' window and adjusting the settings. ''Treble'' and ''bass'' settings will modify the amount of wiggle on the line work.




The Autodesk Impressions ''wiggle pen stroke'' allows you to modify the ''treble'' and ''bass'' settings for line work.




In Autodesk Impressions go to Edit>Define brush preset. Name the brush ''groundcover1.'' Photoshop will add it to the brush palette. Select the brush, then, on a new layer, use the brush tool (keyboard shortcut B) to draw in the groundcover. Use the eraser tool (keyboard shortcut E) to clean up the edges as needed. Other hatches, such as stone patterns, may be created using the same method.




The black and white version in Figure 4 can be used for an illustrative plan, however, color may be now be easily added in Photoshop. Double click the layer to bring up the blending options. This allows you to add shadow, color and pattern.

Many landscape architects use AutoCAD to draft technical plans, but using CAD to provide basic line work for loose, conceptual drawings often ends up looking flat and lifeless. This does not have to be the case. While there is no substitute for hand-drawn graphics, some situations require a digital approach. To loosen up line work for presentation purposes, or to provide a base upon which to render, AutoCAD may be quickly and effectively augmented with programs such as the obscure but useful Autodesk Impressions, Cadsketch (www.CADsketch.com), or M-color (www.m-color.com). Combining these loosened digital files with quick hand-drawn and computer-rendered techniques can result in drawings with character and life, without having to spend the time to draft by hand.

This tutorial will illustrate how to "loosen up" a CAD drawing in Autodesk Impressions, then refined in Photoshop. This tutorial requires basic to intermediate skills in CAD and Photoshop. Those new to Autodesk Impressions should be able to complete the steps outlined in this tutorial.

If you have already started a design in CAD, but you need to provide a rendering that has a more illustrative appearance than a plain CAD file, you can use Impressions to wiggle the lines. Autodesk Impressions is included in the CAD subscription, and although it has other capabilities it is used here to loosen or wiggle the line work. This imparts a hand-drawn effect that provides a great base for some quick Photoshop renderings. Save a copy of the original file, and simplify the line work, putting everything on as few layers as possible. It is helpful to purge the drawing after this is done. Do your best to simplify the file and get everything on as few layers as possible.

Start Autodesk Impressions, then navigate to File>open. Using the DWG Import wizard you will be prompted to select a .dwg file. For style assignments use your default office or personal pen setting and select "Wiggle pen stroke" for stroke type. For "Import Options" set 1 imported unit to equal 1 inch. For "File Clean-up" check all boxes. Leave "Pack all layers" selected.

The default "wiggle pen stroke" is shown in Figure 2. Individual styles are applied to each layer in Autodesk Impressions, so line weight can be adjusted by layer. Line weights and pen stroke wiggle, or "roughen" effect can be adjusted by double clicking the layer in the "Current Layer's Style" window and adjusting the settings. "Treble" and "bass" settings will modify the amount of wiggle on the line work. Adjusted settings are shown in Figure 3.

If you need to modify anything in CAD after you've begun working in Autodesk Impressions, modify the CAD file as needed, then click File>Update CAD geometry in Autodesk Impressions, and voil?'?N????e'?N,A+ – if the program doesn't crash, your revised linework should appear on screen.

Save the file as a .jpeg (you should have already saved the Impressions file). Now open the .jpeg in Photoshop, adjust your resolution and canvas size accordingly (I use 200 dpi for print), and create a new layer called trees. Spend a few minutes drawing a few loose tree, shrub and groundcover symbols on trace. Landscape Graphics by Grant Reid is a classic reference for tasteful hand-drawn graphics. Scan your symbols, and save them to your files – you may end up using these a lot if these techniques prove useful.

From the scan, using the circular marquee tool (keyboard shortcut M), select a tree symbol and Edit>copy (ctrl+c or cmd+c) from your symbol drawing, then Edit>paste (ctrl+v or cmd+v) into your saved .jpeg from the Impressions file. Continue to paste as many symbols as needed. If you are accumulating too many layers, make a folder in the layers palette for better organization. Using the same method, select, copy and paste shrub symbols. For the groundcover, creating a brush is a very effective method for quick results. Using your square marquee, select an area of the groundcover hatch you scanned earlier. Go to Edit>Define brush preset. Name the brush "groundcover1"; Photoshop will add it to the brush palette. Select the brush, then, on a new layer, use the brush tool (keyboard shortcut B) to draw in the groundcover. Use the eraser tool (keyboard shortcut E) to clean up the edges as needed. Other hatches, such as stone patterns, may be created using the same method. See Figure 4.

The black and white version in Figure 4 could be used for an illustrative plan. However, color may be now be easily added in Photoshop. Create a new layer (or layers) as needed for the brush work. Using a round brush, choose the color and size of your brush tip so you can color a tree or shrub in one click. Double click the layer to bring up the blending options. This allows you to add shadow, color and pattern. For the groundcover layer (using the brush you created) double click the layer to bring up blending options, then apply an "outer glow" style in a normal blend mode, adjusting the spread and size to control the glow. Change the opacity to 35% for the outer glow and for the brush color. See Figure 5.

To finish the plan you can add labels and title block information in Photoshop, or save the file and add text in adobe Illustrator or Indesign. This process is a quick, efficient, and effective method for imparting life and color to an otherwise bland digital drawing.