[NTLUG:Discuss] Suggestions for FOSS landscaping CAD

[Hampton Frost]

Hello,
 I'm an architecture grad. student.  Unfortunately, most of the big names,
like AutoDesk, are only released, officially, in windows.  Mac users usually
have to dual boot or run an emulator, like fusion, though the Macs do have a
program called VectorWorks that handles rather well.  A quick search turns
up a couple of groups like this one
http://www.freelists.org/webpage/cad-linux that you might re-post your
question too.  In the mean time I'll ask around if anyone is familiar with
unix/linux CAD programs.  And as another person was suggesting alternatives,
I used adobe illustrator for a year before getting on my CAD feet.  Any
point and vector based system (non-raster) might do enough for you, simply
type in you measurement and then divide by what scale you want it at, i.e.
1/8" = 1' is a common scale, so for a 5' wide path, type in 5 / 8.  Good
luck.

Oh, one last thought.  Programs like SketchUp, although made to do basic 3D,
also, by implication, have to be able to draft.  You might look into Blender
3D or Equinox.  But I think programs listed by the user group, that I posted
a link to above, is probably in the direction of your best solution.



On Sun, Apr 26, 2009 at 1:29 PM, Leroy Tennison
<leroy_tennison at prodigy.net>wrote:

> Russ wrote:
> > My wife is wanting to xeriscape our front yard.  The backyard is next
> > year's project.  The first step in doing this is to create a scale
> > drawing of the yard as exact as possible in order to design the
> > layout, determine the amount of mulch and rock that must be purchased,
> > map the water system (drip, not spray), etc.  Of course, all the
> > drawing and layouts can be done manually but I would like to be able
> > to use my computer.  My search for FOSS landscaping CAD turned up
> > nothing.   Advice is welcome.  I hope someone out there knows of a CAD
> > program that is fairly easy to use.  Thanks.
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > http://www.ntlug.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
> >
> I realize this may not be what you want to hear but I'm going to ask
> "Why a CAD program?" just to make sure you haven't excluded some
> possibilities by narrowing the scope unduly.  Unless there's something
> about a CAD program which you absolutely have to have (or really want)
> then a graphics program such as OpenOffice Draw, InkScape or Skencil
> might suffice.  There's also XFig, Dia and others.  Might want to look
> at the list on http://www.linfo.org/software_artists.html.
>
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