Free Landscaping Design Software Programs
For those who only want to dabble or for those wanting to try their hand in a free option, getting a good free landscaping program can be hard. Many of the big-name home and landscape software providers provide a trial period, but there's not lots of completely free packages. Below is really great post to read on the free landscape design software packages available around the Internet.
1. Google SketchUp
Most landscaping professionals consider Google SketchUp being the top free option. You can use this program free as long as you would like. They do provide an upgrade option (Google SketchUp Pro) that amounted to $495. However, its not necessary the pro version to become able to create some amazing landscape designs. The power on this free tool is unmatched by one of the other free options.
The one issue with the Google SketchUp free version could be the learning curve you may face. Don't be prepared to download the free version and have an amazing landscape design carried out eventually.
2. Better Homes and Garden Plan-a-Garden
Better Homes and Garden (BHG) includes a free software tool called Plan-a-Garden. This software tool is a piece of cake to utilize yet it's inside a different class (a significantly lower class) than Google SketchUp. If you are merely wanting to development (in 2D) a smaller, vegetable-less garden then this is the option for you. You can produce simple designs inside of a couple of minutes.
The a very important factor that really annoyed me relating to this tool is that it doesn't offer any vegetables. You are tied to flowers, bushes, trees, and structures.
3. BBC Virtual Garden Free Tool
A lots of people mention using a free landscape design tool given by the BBC. Getting BBC's garden tool to operate correctly is difficult. The program has a good crashing and BBC is not really providing any form of support about the tool (it's tough to provide customer service on the free tool).
If you do understand this free landscape design software to be effective, then supposedly it has 3D capabilities.
4. PlanGarden
This tool would be about the other end from the spectrum from Google SketchUp. PlanGarden has few capabilities in terms of landscape design. This software program was designed to help you design and manage a garden. If that's all you desire, then PlanGarden may well be a wise decision to suit your needs. PlanGarden is simply exactly the same tool as BHG's Plan-A-Garden software, but it comes with vegetables! Note that this tool is no longer free. They do offer a 45 day trial though.
5. The ShowOff Visualizer
The free landscaping software provided by ShowOff is one in the better free options out there. It features a feature that lets you upload a photo of your landscape or house and then you can produce your design with the addition of objects for the picture. Unfortunately that's about the place that the usefulness of this software ends.
The software packages are useful, however it still acts like free software. There are a great deal of bugs and annoyances. For example, it logs people out at random times and useful work. You can't rotate the objects you insert. There is no 3D mode. The user-interface isn't very intuitive and it is difficult to find the objects you are looking for to insert in your design. This software doesn't match up against the paid programs about.
Overall ShowOff may perhaps be not your your first best option after Google SketchUp free of charge landscaping software. You can accomplish some pretty good designs inside a matter of minutes. You can add trees, private pools, and lawn ornaments.