Sponsor Spotlight: VectorWorks Landmark by Nemetschek, N. A.
Part of Nemetschek North America, a global leader in designtechnologies, VectorWorks creates software products to meet the needs of designers in the fields of AEC, entertainment, and landscape design. VectorWorks is also a generous sponsor of the ASLA Cybercafé at the 2007 ASLA Annual Meeting & EXPO.

With more than 20 years of experience in developing software, VectorWorks offers cost-effective, easy-to-use design solutions for landscape architects, planners, and other AEC professionals. Its fully integrated, industry-specific alternatives offer more flexibility and creativity than the traditional engineering-based computer aided design (CAD) programs.

Based on research of design industry users of the engineering packages, VectorWorks developed its programs to help landscape architects and related field practitioners create drawings quickly and efficiently, automating the routine tasks and offering improved features specific to their profession. VectorWorks’ premier product is Landmark—a cross-platform product that works with Mac- or Windows-based environments—which offers CAD tools enhanced by real-world design components. For example, in traditional design programs, plants are usually shown as a circle; however, with Landmark, plant objects can be defined with the exact species from a vast plant database. And since the program is fully integrated, the data about the plant selection automatically downloads into the plant schedules and materials tracking lists.

One of Landmark’s distinctive features includes the ability to work in either 2-D or 3-D, a feature not found in other programs. Users can also engage the hand sketch technology to create the look of hand-drawn renderings and presentation materials. Comprehensive cost and materials tracking features are linked to the drawings so that design changes automatically update the related schedules and reports. And with RenderWorks, an add-on package, professionals can apply hundreds of textures and materials to create photo-realistic images that look hand drawn. Landmark can even help landscape architects and other design professionals create more sustainable projects. The software has the ability to perform an analysis of project ideas and test the performance of green initiatives. For example, the software can evaluate the flow of water off a site or perform a 3-D sun study and evaluate shadows in order to maximize the solar gain from a particular design.

Landmark offers a greater degree of design file compatibility than engineering-based programs. The program is compatible with many of the products used by landscape architects and other design professionals, such as Adobe, GIS, ArcView, AutoCAD, Google, and others. In addition to the compatibility, Landmark offers diverse graphic options not found in engineering-based programs, which is one of the primary reasons that landscape architecture professionals choose VectorWorks. Drawings have a more artistic look and benefit from graphic features such as object transparency and a dynamic color palette, including Pantone® colors. The compatibility and graphic options are intentional software enhancements, resulting from the deep graphic heritage that has always influenced VectorWorks’ program development strategies.

As a returning sponsor, VectorWorks is proud to support an industry that is so essential to its core business. For years, design professionals such as landscape architects have struggled with tools created for another industry and purpose. With VectorWorks, landscape architecture professionals have access to design- and graphic-friendly alternatives. Through its straightforward and simple- to-use products, VectorWorks’ design series can help any landscape architecture professional be more creative and more sustainable while saving time. VectorWorks provides the tools that help designers design. And with the release of Landmark 2008—with even more features and enhancements—in mid-September, that task will become even easier.

For more information about VectorWorks by Nemetschek, N.A. and Landmark 2008, visit the website, stop by booth 1457 at the 2007 ASLA Annual Meeting & EXPO for a demonstration, or visit the Cybercafé.