Drawing Instruments Used in Landscaping

Computer Design

• The most modern drawing instrument in landscape design is the computer and the software programs developed specifically for landscape planning. This type of computer and large-scale printer system can be quite expensive, and the programs may require several years of classes to perfect. Benefits of computer drafting programs are the mobility of files and the ability to make some types of changes quickly. The resulting plans are also easy to read because they use formal typographic fonts.

Drafting Paper

• Traditional landscape design uses vellum drafting paper with lines executed in mechanical pencil or ink. Often the early versions of the plan are worked up in pencil on tracing paper before being executed more formally on a drafting table. The drafting table is large enough to hold the largest size of drafting paper with room on all sides. The table usually has a horizontal straight edge that is used to keep all of the lines drawn on the paper straight.

Mechanical Pencils and Tools

• Designers use both mechanical pencils and nonmechanical pencils. Often the selection is due to preference, not a notable difference in quality. A variety of erasers from white block to electric-style are used along with eraser shields and bags. Other tools include a compass, protractor, contractors ruler, templates, ships curves, French curves, triangles, register marks, tape, and sharpening boards. Also on hand are rapidographs, line dividers, drawing weight bags and blueprint measuring tools.

Illustration

• Some designers must also produce presentation boards on hard-board surfaces to sell a client on the design and, ultimately, the cost of the design and installation. To produce the presentation boards, the designer will use colored pencils, pastels, watercolor paint, acrylic paint, paint pens, markers, graphite pencils, films, screens, artist knives and other materials to bring the renderings of the landscape to full color. To facilitate the presentation a projector is also common and sometimes a full-sized light table. which may require a steel T-square, a traditional tool in the industry.