The latest version of VectorWorks LANDMARK 10 offers a variety of new features for landscape projects and operates on both Windows and Macintosh platforms. Last April, Landscape Communications examined LANDMARK 9.5, an update that offered dramatic improvements in speed and reliability - especially with the Mac OS X. While 9.5 was an update focusing on fixes and updates, LANDMARK 10 builds on the foundation, delivering a number of new features. The latest release boasts a streamlined interface, productivity improvements, presentation enhancements, better compatibility, an integrated 3D Power Pack, as well as new landscape and site design technology. ?EUR??,,????'??We concentrated on making LANDMARK even easier to use by consolidating many of the original commands,?EUR??,,????'?? noted Robert Anderson, Vice President for Nemetschek North America (manufacturers of VectorWorks). The Planting Key A key element to LANDMARK 10 is an expanded plant database - more than 1,200 plant records are stored for user interface. Also, a newly designed tool allows designers flexibility in the placement and replacement of plants, which gives contractors a better idea of how the final project should look. The new placement options make it simple to place plants at corner points of a polygon, along the edges of lines, or in rectangular or triangular layouts. Additionally, new clustering options are accessible for the creation of planting beds. Interface Improvements Multiple interface changes have come to be in the latest release. Version 10 introduces an interactive zoom that allows for mouse zooming and scrolling. There are customizable context menus and the keyboard shortcuts are available to any of the program?EUR??,,????'???s tools. Other interface alterations were made to the Resource Browser, the Workspace Editor, and the Object Info Palette. All the additions and changes were made with the intent of enhancing and improving LANDMARK. Other Changes, Improvements, Additions A number of alterations have taken place in an effort to improve productivity. Among these changes are a 3D polygonal solid modeling engine, batch file conversion, improved auto-saving functionality and a redline function. In regards to presentation, LANDMARK 10 gradient fills, image fills and the capability for renderings to display curves more accurately. A number of import/export options give the user more flexibility. Models created with the 3D Power Pack can be exported as .stl files (stereo lithography) for rapid prototyping. 3D IGES files can be read by other CAD or CAM programs, and IGES files can be imported into LANDMARK. Full dimension translation is now offered to and from DXF/DWG files and there are other features to ensure easy translation from VectorWorks into AutoCAD. About Nemetschek Nemetschek North America (formerly Diehl Graphsoft) is owned by European software company Nemetschek AG. Nemetschek North America has been developing CAD software since 1985 and VectorWorks is their flagship product, sold in over 85 countries and available in 14 languages. To find out more about VectorWorks LANDMARK 10, visit Nemetschek North America on the web at: www.nemetschek.net.