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During a recent presentation by four Landscape Architects, all from different types of practices, it was interesting to hear how poorly informed they were about the potential of a computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) system and how it could be used in their office. One of the presenters went so far as to state, in front of approximately 85 students, that ?EUR??,,????'??it could take at least 18 months before anyone in my office could produce a drawing that would be fit for a client to see.?EUR??,,????'?? The others nodded in agreement.
These Landscape Architects are typical of the way many practitioners view the role of the computer. A great many Landscape Architects misunderstand the potential power of CADD because they have never been exposed to the computer as a tool during their college studies or as a practitioner. Today?EUR??,,????'???s students are being introduced to the computer as a tool, away to increase both speed and accuracy. This increase in speed and accuracy can also result in better quality designs.
In today?EUR??,,????'???s office, CADD is no longer a luxury. The office of today needs the flexibility that a CADD system can bring into an office. Feasibility studies, quick graphic techniques, three-dimensional imaging and topographic reproductions are just a few areas where CADD can benefit an office.
Feasibility studies can be done on the computer with enormous speed. As an example, we will take a figure which represents a 1 0-acre parcel of land.
Originally the parcel was low-income housing built on a landfill. The landfill had begun to settle and the homes were moved, resulting in a 10-acre area surrounded by residential lots. At first, the city?EUR??,,????'???s idea was to construct five to six baseball diamonds on the parcel. By utilizing the computer it was easy to visualize that five to six baseball diamonds would cover most of the area, leaving virtually no space for tennis, basketball or other park amenities. Figure 1 was generated in less than 90 seconds. Once it was shown that the program elements needed to change, a number of quick alternatives were generated. In figure 2 it becomes evident that a number of different types of activities can be arranged to produce a park that would benefit the entire neighborhood.
After working out the feasibility of a program and once the initial concept is complete, it can be shown to a client both in plan view and in perspective (figure 3). Along with being able to produce quick graphics and three-dimensional views, the programs available can also produce finished drawings with as much detail as desired (figure 4).
Most of the software available has the capability to import topographic information. This information is transported from the surveyor or engineering firm in the form of a computer disk. Within seconds the information can be transferred to the CADD system. Depending on the size of the site and complexity of the topographic, this could save hours or sometimes even days of tedious drawing time. Imagine the time saved by not having to reproduce a topographic map of a 1,000-acre site with one-foot contour intervals.
Other possible uses for a CADD system would involve cost estimating, where information on the plan is transferred directly into the portion of the program that does cost accounting. As you draw and label each plant, grass area, brick paving area, etc., the computer stores sizes, numbers and other important information needed to produce a cost estimate.
Growth simulators are also available with CADD systems. This program allows you to see how plants will progress over 5, 10 and 15 years. The growth simulator is an important addition to CADD since it not only aids the novice designer in visualizing a project through a certain period of time, but it works well to communicate with the client how the landscape will change and mature over time. Cost estimating and growth simulators are available with LANDCADD software.
Purchasing the software and the hardware is the first step in entering the age of CADD. Although it would not take you 18 months to learn the software and its applications, it is possible that it could take you more time than you wish to spend working on it. Several software manufacturers can provide training sessions to help you become proficient in hours or days, rather than weeks or months.
In these training sessions you are introduced to the program and what it can do for you. Once you can visualize what can be done, the commands, inputs and output data become much easier to understand. With some of the programs, LANDCADD for example, in one eight-hour session you can be trained to a level sufficient to complete a simple working design.
If you are not working with a CADD system today, you will be within the next five years. It is not magical and will not answer all the questions to every problem. It is a cost-effective tool that increases speed, accuracy and can help in generating better quality work.
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 LANDCADD Company Training Center at me University of Georgia.
Francisco Uviña, University of New Mexico
Hardscape Oasis in Litchfield Park
Ash Nochian, Ph.D. Landscape Architect
November 12th, 2025
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