What is CAD/3-D modeling?
Computer Aided Design (CAD) is a tool used in the process of conceptual design, and utilized in the fields of architecture, engineering and landscape contracting. AutoCAD and Google SketchUp are two widely used CAD based programs in the Landscape Contracting industry. They are both powerful programs that can be used for 3-D design. AutoCAD contains a complex set of commands which requires specific and intensive training. However, SketchUp is a program that has a more simplified learning curve. SketchUp’s user-friendly functions and tutorials eliminate the need for professional training. 3-D modeling programs allow professionals to give clients a life-like view of their project, such as a scale model of their house with a surrounding landscape plan. AutoCAD is used more often in 2-D drawings intended for construction purposes, whereas 3-D modeling enables the designer and client to visualize what the finished project will look like.
What are the implications for the Landscape Contracting Industry?
Since the beginning of existence on earth, man has been fascinated by his environment. Specific tastes in landscapes have constantly shifted from highly structured, highly individualized designs to those of innate natural beauty. Currently, with many technological advances such as the advent of computer technologies and an increasing availability of diverse plant materials, it becomes easy to cater to the customers’ individual needs. Computer programming allows an instantaneous addition and subtraction of foliage and hardscapes. Newly aided AutoCAD / SketchUp/ and other 3-D modeling devices create drawings that depict the finished product. Computer drafting offers many more benefits than hand drawing due to the ability to change plans almost instantaneously. Computer drafting is becomes easier with practice.
What are the downsides of CAD/3-D modeling?
CAD can be very useful but may have several downsides. Downsides include: price, time to learn the software, and lack of structural elements.
Even though the programs produce realistic models, they may not be as good as a real model. Not having a tangible model can be a problem when the client is reviewing the design. 2-D CAD programs in the landscape industry make designs hard to visualize for clients, while 3-D CAD programs help designers relate the plan to the client more effectively.
Prices of CAD programs can range from free downloadable software to thousands of dollars. Some programs are so costly that they may not be cost-effective for smaller companies. In addition to the initial price, many programs may include purchasable upgrade packages and add-ons/plugins. For example, Analyse 3D is an add-on/plugin for AutoCAD. These packages can include extra structural elements, environmental modification tools, and/or additional model presentations. One reason upgrades can be expensive is because they are not always developed by the original program developer. For example, Render Plus is a third-party developer that specializes in add-ons and plugins for Google SketchUp. As of September 11, 2007, one of their products, RpReports, sells for $1,500. Here is a link for the current price of AutoCad 2009.
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=8446723
Learning various CAD programs takes time, effort, and is rather expensive to purchase. As previously mentioned, AutoCAD is harder to learn than SketchUp. Some programs are easier to learn than others and may save companies money. However, some programs have complex commands which costs companies extra time and money to train their employees.
What technologies are involved with CAD/3-D modeling? Software, Hardware, Services?
A variety of Computer Aided Design software exists today. Some are very field specific, while others are very general. AutoCAD, BonZai 3D by AutodesSys (soon to be released), Design Workshop Lite by Artifice, SketchUp by Google, Cybermotion by Reinhard Epp Software, and Solidworks by Solidworks Corporation are all examples of general software for this technology. Such products offer the user a wide variety of tools to aid in design. Architecture, Engineering, Industrial Design, and Landscape Design are only a few of the professions that utilize these programs. Pro Landscape by Drafix Software Inc., Instant Landscape Design by Topics, Total 3-D Landscape Deluxe by Individual Software, Total 3-D Home and Landscape Design Suite by Individual Software, and Master Landscape Pro and Home Design by Punch! Software are all examples of software specific to the landscape industry. Some offer realistic tools that translate a landscape design idea into a visual model. Such products, if used correctly, can make it easier for clients to understand the designer’s vision. For more information on general modeling software, links and even a free downloads, you can visit
http://www.freebyte.com/cad/cad.htm#2D3DCADSystems. For more information on Landscape Industry specific software, links, and a comparison of multiple programs you can visit
http://landscaping-software-review.toptenreviews.com/.
AutoCAD System Requirements: (AutoCAD System Requirements)
For 32-bit AutoCAD 2009: 1)
For Microsoft Windows XP SP2:
For Microsoft Windows Vista or 3D modeling:
Intel Pentium 4 processor or AMD Athlon, 3.0
GHz or greater or Intel or AMD Dual Core processor, 2.0
GHz or greater
-
2
GB free hard disk available not including installation
1,280 x 1,024 32-bit color video display adapter (true color) 128
MB or greater, OpenGL®, or Direct3D® capable workstation class graphics card. For Windows Vista, a Direct3D capable workstation class graphics card with 128
MB or greater is required.
For 64-bit AutoCAD 2009:
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition or Windows Vista 64-bit
AMD® 64 or Intel EM64T processor
-
750
MB free disk space for installation
AutoCAD 64-bit cannot be installed on a 32-bit Windows operating system
For additional information and specifics on CAD 2009 please refer to http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=2704278.
Free 14 month trial, you must download AutoCAD Civil 3D.
http://students8.autodesk.com/?nd=public_signup_V2
First, click on the link.
After the page has opened up, you will need to fill out the new user registration form. This form requires you to insert your school email address, confirm your school email address, your first and last name, you must select your time zone from the drop down list, your school name, you must choose your discipline/interest from the drop down menu, your education status, and then your expected year of graduation. After this, you may choose a preferred email, if you want to have information sent to it versus your school email, you must also choose a username, and choose a password. Then you need to verify your password and select your date of birth from the drop down menus. Next click on the English tab, and finally check the box that you have read and agree with the Terms and Conditions. Then click submit.
BonZai 3D
BonZai 3D is a new 3D modeler published by AudesSys Inc. and designed to meet the requirements of those who want an easy, quick and simple geometrically approach to 3D.
Its goal is to be a very complete but most importantly an affordable program that can support the conceptual and sketching stages of design in an easy, quick, and accurate way to make models that can be used for construction purposes.
Anatomy of BonZai 3D
BonZai 3D promises to be the new generation of easy-to-use modeling that offers all the basic tools a designer needs to express one’s thoughts graphically in 3D.
Some of the individual features in BonZai 3D are: (some indidividual features in BonZai 3D are:)2)
Fluid, powerful, and smart interface.
All the classic modeling tools (extrusions, sweeps, transformations, etc.)
Real time Booleans
NURBS curves and surfaces
Smart 3D drawing
Dynamic graphic editing
Push/Pull tool for easy sculpting and shape editing
Advanced OpenGL rendering with shadows, transparencies, and textures
Graphic texture map editing
Over 200 free materials (texture maps)
Content library for trees, furniture, entourage elements
Support of 3D Warehouse
Files can be imported from the 3D Warehouse. A very useful and important feature that allows to use the already made 3D models posted on the Google 3D Warehouse. This feature can help save lots of time.
Files can be imported directly from Google Earth and SketchUp into BonZai 3D and vice versa. Also, Google Earth views can be created as textured objects directly in BonZai 3D, after they have been taken from Google Earth.
(.dae, .kmz, .skp, .zpr, etc.)
For additional information please visit http://www.autodessys.com/
BonZai 3D is a program not yet released to the public but AutoDesSys expects to start public Beta testing soon (a beta release is the release of a software that is still being developed)
To be notified when BonZai 3D beta becomes available
http://www.bonzai3d.com/
First, click on the link.
Once you have clicked on the link and have the BonZai 3D homepage open, all you have to do is to scroll down to the bottom of the page, once there all you have to do is type your email address in the clear box and then just hit the “submit” button and that’s it!
Now you will be notified through e-mail whenever BonZai 3D public beta becomes available.
Which technologies are you going to use and why?
As a group we have chosen to use both AutoCAD and SketchUp. In Both AutoCAD and SketchUp you can show a three dimensional model of an object. There are free trial versions for both AutoCAD and SketchUp.
SketchUp demands a great deal of power from a PC. Google’s recommended system requirements for this program is a 2.0
GHz Pentium 4 processor or higher, 512
MB of RAM, 80
MB of available hard disk space, and a graphics card that is OpenGL-capable. SketchUp is relatively inexpensive compared to other CAD software. In addition, it has a selection of online tutorials for users to learn basic and more advanced tool functions. This program allows designers to give clients a life-like view of their project, transforming a 2-D design into a 3-D model. AutoCAD's recommended system requirements are very similar to SketchUp, for specific information refer to
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=2704278.
-What are the resources for learning it?
There is a wide array of resources available online, but many other resources are also available, such as books, podcasts, training workshops, and even one-on-one training sessions. The following is a list of resources that are available to learn these programs.
SketchUp
http://download.sketchup.com/downloads/training/tutorials50/Sketchup%20Video%20Tutorials.html
http://sketchup.google.com/training/videos/new_to_gsu.html
The books are for sale here: http://www.f1help.biz/ccp51/cgi-bin/cp-app.cgi
AutoCAD
*There are open source programs available for download. Some of the better programs are progeCAD 2008, BRL-CAD, and QCad.
BRL-CAD (Ballistics Research Laboratory-Computer Aided Design) is an open source solid modeling system. The program claims to be good especially in the areas of solid model rendering as well as geometric representation. It is available for free download here:
http://brlcad.org/
QCad is software for 2D drawing and designing. It is available on many platforms which encourages collaboration on projects, even on varied platforms. It is available for download as a trial or as the full single user version which only costs $37.00 USD. These are available here:
http://www.qcad.org/qcad.html
-How does it work?
SketchUp
AutoCAD
AutoCAD - Layer Properties
AutoCAD - Scale Raster Image Reference
SketchUp - Move / Copy Tool
SketchUp - Creating Animations
