Landscape Design Software | 2D and 3D Design | Autodesk (2024)

FAQs

What is 3D landscape design? ›

A 3D landscape design illustrates all features—including fabricated structures and plants—in a realistic digital image. Instead of viewing the project from an overhead perspective, a three-dimensional view offers a comprehensive, lifelike visualization.

CAD Software

CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software is used to create detailed, technical drawings. Engineers and architects use CAD programs—as do landscape designers. CAD software enables users to quickly create, modify and share designs in 2D or 3D formats.

CAD for Landscape Design – Create Accurate Site Plans with the Easiest-to-Use CAD Available. PRO Landscape has been built from the ground up for one purpose – to help you create stunning, accurate site plans with the shortest learning curve possible.

Landscape designers and landscape architects can use Autodesk software to create 2D drawings or 3D models that save time, cost and materials.

One significant factor contributing to the expense of 3D printing services is the cost of materials. High-quality materials used in the process, such as specialized resins and filaments, can significantly drive up the overall cost of production.

Plan-a-Garden creates design plans to visualize and structure your garden. Its drag-and-drop functionality allows you to pick plants and add them to your design so you see how their shapes and colors work together. The free application supports experimentation with multiple trees, shrubs, and perennials for landscape.

Differences Between AutoCAD and SketchUp

AutoCAD is mainly for 2D drawing, while SketchUp was always designed to be a high-quality 3D modeling program. Because of this, AutoCAD has a student version, but SketchUp does not.

SketchUp models can be designed to be as accurate as models in CAD. However, SketchUp is not designed for the same type of line-intensive drawings done in CAD software. In your CAD file, clean up or remove any content that you don't need to use after you import the CAD file into SketchUp.

Digital tools can help landscape architects to sketch and model their ideas quickly and easily, using software such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, Rhino, or Revit.

Landscape architect works on more public and larger projects while landscape designer works on residential and smaller projects. Landscape architects deal with complex projects, while landscape designers deal with more transactional projects.

What do landscape architects use? ›

Landscape architects use computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) programs to create representations of their projects. Some also must use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for their designs. Visualization skills. Landscape architects must be able to imagine how an overall outdoor space will look once completed.

3D design refers to using software to create a digital model of a three-dimensional shape or object. Organizations and professionals across industries use 3D design to communicate ideas, create products and customer experiences, teach concepts, and more.

The 2D layout is the traditional form of presenting landscape designs and is the more expeditious option. However, ideas rendered with a 3D design are more precise and fully capture the detail and layout of your landscape design using state of the art technological software.

In 3D computer graphics, 3D modeling is the process of developing a mathematical coordinate-based representation of a surface of an object (inanimate or living) in three dimensions via specialized software by manipulating edges, vertices, and polygons in a simulated 3D space.