Paper and pencil just aren't cutting it

January 25, 2006 1:56 PM

Does anyone have any recommendations for free, Win98-compatible software that will help me design a community garden for my non-profit organization? Am I looking for a CAD program? If so, which of the thousands out there should I use?

I've long since given up hope on finding a gardening-specific design program, so I'm settling on anything that will help me easily create a to-scale drawing. I'd like to be able to modify the diagram once it's created and print it out (sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised at the trouble I've been having with the programs I've tried out). Dia crashes at startup, Grids isn't what I'm looking for, and the free trial of Sketchup is unfortunately not compatible with Windows 98. Gardeners/landscapers, what do you use?

Thanks!

posted by schroedinger to computers & internet (6 comments total)

I have used GIMP for windows to create mock layouts of my bedroom to visualize rearranging the floorspace. Just substitute pixels for inches, put each thing in its own layer, and fill layers with patterns/colors. It's pretty easy once you have created all the elements, but this would work for a 2d layout only
posted by psychobum at 2:31 PM on January 25, 2006

I'm not so sure you should have given up on the idea of Win98-compatible garden design software. It's a free trial, but if you need and like it beyond the trial time, it's only $20. CNET gives it 4 of 5 stars, in a review, for whatever that might be worth. There's also an online version at the site.
posted by mdevore at 2:35 PM on January 25, 2006

Inkscape for Windows

Eve (I use Linux, haven't used Eve before).
posted by holloway at 2:40 PM on January 25, 2006

Not free (but not expensive either): I have used Xara very successfully for many garden designs. It is a vector based art package, along the lines of Adobe Illustrator, but very intuative to use, and remarkably powerful given its limited pallet of tools.

The current version is Xara Xtreme v2 and you can read about it and download a trial version HERE
posted by Ampa at 5:14 PM on January 25, 2006

Map Maker Gratis could do this easily.
posted by bigmusic at 6:24 PM on January 25, 2006

RoomArranger is 9x compatible and has objects for creating gardens (there are a few examples in their gallery page). The current version is shareware ($20), but though it's no longer linked, the old 3.26 freeware version is still available for download.

If you want to view your creations in 3D, you'll need a VRML viewer. Recommended viewers are linked at the bottom of the site's front page.
posted by nikzhowz at 3:53 AM on January 26, 2006