Virtual Presentations Using the Internet to Showcase Designs By Michael Risso SoftCAD International Over the past few years the Internet has changed the way many companies do business. User-friendly Web page programs have made it easy for persons such as myself to create numerous Web sites with relative ease. In 1999, I uploaded www.designedspaces.com as a marketing tool to attract clientele to my Landscape design business. Little did I know that this small Web site would completely change the way I approach the design process. The Web site was designed as an online portfolio with the typical gallery of completed work and examples of 3D Modeling and 2D CAD drawings. As the site took shape, I added a client resource section with printable PDF Files of commonly used plant material and hardscape types. I also added a "Getting Started" button which empowers my clients to gather the appropriate information before our first scheduled meeting. In the back of my mind, I thought this site would be a good opportunity to experiment with the benefits of making online presentations. In some respects, this goes against many of the philosophies I learned in college regarding the client-designer relationship. Yet, I have found distinct advantages to online presentation that I did not expect. The Online Process After my initial interview and property take-off, I begin to design in the usual method using CAD software. At that point, I upload the first set of design concepts to the Web site. Each client receives a personal Web page in the "Client" section under "View Projects". Next I send a detailed e-mail methodically explaining my ideas behind the concept, included in this e-mail is a direct link to this client?EUR??,,????'???s personal Web page. Within the personal Web page, I post JPG images of the 2D Plans, Elevations and rendered 3D Perspective views. These images are viewed as thumbnails, which can be enlarged and printed. The next step is typically a follow-up phone call with the client to discuss the plan in detail and to make sure they understand the concept. Many of my clients will reply back to me with detailed e-mails suggesting plan changes. This type of interaction with the client is invaluable. Not only do I have an electronic record of suggested changes, but it also provides a better way of sharing information. When people take the time to write their ideas, the communication channel is usually much clearer. One of the biggest advantages with Internet presentations is the ability to save valuable time. Virtual presentations allow me to work in my office, rather than having to fight traffic in order to meet with my clients in person to physically present the first design concepts. Of course, there is also savings in the cost of travel and printing. Another interesting advantage to online presentation is that other family members and landscape contractors can also view the design. I can safely say that in most cases the actual design process was hastened because of the efficiency of Virtual Presentation combined with detailed correspondence. A big part of the online design process is using 3D modeling software, which allows me to create accurate detailed 3D renderings of the proposed landscape. Being able to portray the design in plan, elevation and rendered perspective views is essential for this process to be a success. In one project, I can also link PDF type plant descriptions to the 2D drawings. When the client clicked on the 2D plant symbol, a color photo and description of the plant would pop-up in Acrobat Reader. This enables the client to have a better understanding of the actual appearance of the plant material within the design. It takes a variety of software applications to make this whole process succeed. For the 3D Modeling I use both ArchiTECH.PC 3.0 and SoftCAD.3D, both products are published by SoftCAD International. I finish the 2D drawings in AutoCAD with the LANDCADD Add-on. I also use Photoshop, PageMaker and Net Objects Fusion as my Web page publisher. I have also experimented with some of the DWF viewers (drawing web format) for AutoCAD with little success; this requires the client to download an application in order to view a 2D drawing. Simple image files are adequate, they are easy to handle and can be readily printed, edited, and then faxed back. Landscape Architects should look beyond the traditional methods of presenting their design ideas and concepts to clients. The Internet offers another method for communicating landscape plans in a visually interesting and precise manner. Also, purchasing Web space and domain names is relatively inexpensive considering the market exposure that is received with very little effort. In this day and age of incredibly busy work schedules, using Virtual Presentations adds another tool to deliver powerful detailed presentations. LASN Michael Risso is the owner of Design Spaces (www.designedspaces.com), a Web site design and consulting firm in Concord, California. Mr. Risso is also the Director of Marketing for SoftCAD International (www.softcad.com).