15+ best programs for landscape design

The construction of any house begins with proper planning of the site. This is necessary so that the building is located as conveniently as possible, does not block its own adjacent territory from sunlight and receives a sufficient amount of solar energy. In addition, an initially drawn up site diagram will greatly facilitate landscaping work.

Program interface for site planning

Previously, all drawings and diagrams were drawn up manually, with a pencil on a sheet of paper, and could not fully present a complete picture.

Today, a site planning program can significantly facilitate and simplify the work process. Using a computer, you can not only correctly position all the necessary zones on the territory, but also visualize the idea using the 3D function.

An alternative to site planning programs

If you need to design a house that will not occupy the entire area of a small summer cottage, use the Interior Design 3D editor. It is suitable for novice users and is completely Russified.

It will help you draw a typical room and a house with non-standard dimensions, create several floors and arrange them separately. You can:

✓ change the finish to materials from the built-in collection;
✓ take your own textures from your PC;
✓ arrange furniture and equipment from the catalog;
✓ add columns, stairs, doors and windows.

The result can be printed or saved as a photorealistic image, and you can also export the drawing and 3D layout as a PDF, JPG, PNG, BMP file. The scheduler can be downloaded for free and installed on Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP. It is not demanding on system resources and works smoothly on weak PCs and laptops.

Interior Design 3D

The buildings

1 – House. As I already said, the house on the site is two-story. Initially it was square 10 x 10 m, but I expanded it with a terrace (5 x 2.5 m). 2 – Barn. I inherited a fairly spacious outbuilding 5 x 3.5 m from the previous owners. 3 – Toilet (1.2 x 1.5 m). 4 – Bathhouse (5 x 3 m). 5 – Outdoor shower (1.2 x 1.5 m). It’s not very convenient to heat water and carry it to the bathhouse, so I decided to build a summer shower with a solar panel on the roof on the property. During the season there will always be hot water in the cabin! 6 – Greenhouse (4 x 3.5 m).

Computer programs

To choose the best computer software, we took into account the following criteria:

✓ availability of a user-friendly interface;
✓ built-in collection of plants, verandas, gazebos;
✓ ability to adjust light, climate, temperature, etc.;
✓ tools for hand drawing.

Here is a ranking of paid and free computer software:

Garden Planner

OS:

Windows

License:

shareware

A simple planner allows you to draw fences and paths, add a pool and pond, and arrange outbuildings. It contains a catalog of plants and garden pavilions, buildings and decking. Each element can be moved to a suitable location, adjusted in size and rotated.

Garden Planner provides an English-language interface. The software can only be downloaded from third-party resources, since the developer has stopped supporting the designer.

Main features:

✓ development of a schematic landscape plan;
✓ changing the surface covering;
✓ catalog of furniture, equipment, etc.;
✓ collecting a personal gallery of items;
✓ saving content in JPEG, PNG;
✓ compiling a list of used objects in CSV and TXT format.

If you're looking for a simple planner for dummies, download Garden Planner. With its help, anyone can schematically draw the surrounding area.

SketchUp

OS:

Windows, MacOS

License:

shareware

Suitable for drawing, modeling interiors, landscapes and architectural structures. In SketchUp, you can draw freehand, adjust lighting, add media from your library, and view your design in 3D that shows shadows.

The designer can be downloaded to your PC and installed for a 30-day trial period. Then you need to pay an annual subscription costing $299.

Main features:

✓ storage of media of other users;
✓ manual drawing of objects and houses;
✓ changing the plane and slope of the earth;
✓ library of building materials.

SketchUp is used by specialists as media content is drawn manually. The software also has a confusing interface and high cost.

VizTerra

OS:

Windows

License:

shareware

Allows you to create two-dimensional landscape drawings and convert them into three-dimensional models. Using this planner, you can manually draw the space, adjust textures and lighting.

VizTerra does not provide tools for creating pools. The application can be downloaded for a trial period on devices with Windows 8 and 10. Then you can use the software by subscription for $97 per month.

Main features:

✓ working with layers;
✓ collection with 1700+ items;
✓ changing the surface covering;
✓ adding a fence and railings;
✓ photorealistic pictures in high resolution;
✓ creation of MP4 videos with exterior presentation.

VizTerra is designed for professional editing. Beginners will find it difficult to navigate the software's confusing tools.

Our garden

OS:

Windows

License:

paid

Planner for modeling a vegetable garden, terrace, etc. In it you can manually draw an area of up to 500 square meters, place vegetation, gazebos, a garage, a pond, a fountain and other elements. You can also customize the terrain, adjust building materials and change the size of objects.

The software can be installed on devices running Windows. The license costs 4,000 rubles.

Main features:

✓ encyclopedia with information about flowers and trees;
✓ designing a layout based on a photo;
✓ editing fence and stairs;
✓ design of simple rooms with windows, doors, roof;
✓ calculation of estimates;
✓ setting lighting, month of year, time of day.

Our Garden is suitable for amateur use. It features a convenient Russian-language menu that you can quickly figure out.

FloorPlan 3D

OS:

Windows, MacOS

License:

shareware

Popular software for developing landscape plans. In it you can build cottages, gazebos and garages, add fences and paths, place a swimming pool and garden furniture, bushes and flowers. The unevenness of the ground is also adjustable.

To use, you need to download a 15-day trial version. To do this, order the product on the official website, providing personal information. You can also immediately buy a license package. Prices start at $99.

Main features:

✓ drawing up estimates;
✓ drawing space from scratch;
✓ modeling of external and internal lighting.

FloorPlan 3D will help in developing projects of any level of complexity, which is why it is popular among professional architects and designers.

Punch Home Design

OS:

Windows, MacOS

License:

paid

Cottage and landscape planning software. Provides more than 4 thousand plants, various tools for 2D and 3D rendering of space, functions for editing the parameters of each element. Punch Design also adjusts trim and creates estimates, and offers ready-made deck and patio templates.

The software can only be installed by subscription for $49.99 per year.

Main features:

✓ adding fences;
✓ sorting vegetation by climate and terrain;
✓ several visualization modes to choose from, for example, top view;
✓ import and export of DWG, DXF files.

Software for people who want a full range of landscaping and interior design options. It’s quite simple to use, so it won’t take much time to master.

X-Designer

OS:

Windows

License:

free

Application for landscaping in Russian. With its help, you can adjust the depth of the area and make hills, place a pond, and plant plants. You can also install gazebos, lanterns, benches, etc.

You cannot design items from scratch in X-Designer. In addition, the software is no longer supported by the developer, but it can be downloaded from third-party resources.

Main features:

✓ viewing in 3D mode;
✓ catalog of flowers, flower beds, etc.;
✓ imitation of the time of year and day;
✓ save files in BMP, JPG and PNG.

This is a program for amateurs who do not care about high quality graphics, but need a rough plan of the future site.

Chief Architect Home Designer Suite

OS:

Windows, MacOS

License:

shareware

A complex planner that creates and customizes the landscape of an area, adding topographical features such as hills or water. Using this application, you can “plant” flowers, add a pool, place fences, stairs and terraces, choose garden furniture or street lamps.

Chief Architect Designer Suite has a trial version that is available by application only. After a month of use, you will have to purchase a license for $99.

Main features:

✓ preparation of detailed technical plans;
✓ street decor library;
✓ visualization of 3D content in high resolution;
✓ output data as a 360 degree panorama.

This software is mostly used by professionals because it is difficult to master.

Lands Design

OS:

Windows

License:

shareware

This is a plugin used to expand the capabilities of Rhino and AutoCad editors. It can be used to design gardens and place green spaces. Lands Design allows you to search for and insert different types of plants. There are also functions for automatically drawing plans and drawing up project documentation.

The extension is available for a trial period. The cost of paid packages ranges from 795 to 1695 euros for a perpetual license.

Main features:

✓ installation of different levels of relief;
✓ more than 1800 types of vegetation in the catalog;
✓ options for planning the irrigation system;
✓ creating a layout with layers;
✓ correction of ground coverings;
✓ visualization using filters, animation and suitable light.

Used in a professional environment - architects, technicians, urban planners, gardeners, etc.

Autodesk AutoCAD

OS:

Windows, MacOS

License:

shareware

Autodesk's 3D computer-aided design software is designed for backyard landscaping and cottage construction. AutoCAD is used to produce 3D models and 2D drawings. In two-dimensional mode, you can customize texts, add dimensional styles, and link data from Microsoft Excel tables. When 3D modeling, the function of drawing content from scratch is available.

AutoCAD can be downloaded for a trial period. Then you need to pay a subscription costing 82,774 rubles per year or 10,236 per month.

Main features:

✓ management of the appearance of materials;
✓ adjusting shadows from models;
✓ creating trees, building frames from scratch;
✓ import PDF and DGN files, Navisworks, Bing Maps.

Designed for professional architects, designers, decorators, etc.

Briefly about the main thing

Designing a house in 3D is a visual way to solve many practical issues, from choosing finishes to calculating the budget. Beginners will find it more convenient to work in online constructors, most of which are free.

Virtual house designers have enough tools and functions to draw a detailed house design in real dimensions, select finishing materials and arrange furnishings.

Most programs are Russified; they allow you to create both two and three-dimensional plans. Various catalogs and libraries are available, the result of the work can be saved in the cloud and imported into other formats.

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Online services

If you do not want to install a site planning program on your PC, use the online service. Platforms will help you quickly design a project in a browser. However, they are dependent on network speed, require registration, and have few options for manual configuration.

SmartDraw

OS:

Windows, MacOS, Linux

License:

shareware

A web platform for planning and landscaping, in which ready-made templates are divided into different categories. You can also start work from scratch and mark the territory with schematic pictures.

To use you must register. Access to all service functions is valid for 7 days. Then you need to buy a subscription for $119.40 per year.

Main features:

✓ collection of templates;
✓ working with layers;
✓ changing the size of elements;
✓ export data to PDF, SVG, PNG, JPEG.

SmartDraw creates a well-structured two-dimensional drawing and is easy to use, making it suitable for amateur use.

Gardena myGarden

OS:

Windows, MacOS, Linux

License:

free

A website that sells gardening products and offers an online editor for exterior landscaping. In his own project, the user uses products from the store’s assortment. In Gardena myGarden you can draw the surrounding area, mark buildings, and place a pond.

Main features:

✓ templates of plots with buildings, trees, paths;
✓ placement of an irrigation system;
✓ changing the size of each part;
✓ the material can be printed or saved as PDF.

Recommended for a basic hobbyist layout, as the catalog is limited to items from a single brand. You cannot add your own objects and textures to the database.

Yardzen

OS:

Windows, MacOS, Linux

License:

paid

Web platform for ordering a project from professionals. To start modeling, you need to specify the address of the house or import photos of the place. Then set a budget, select the proposed style, configure the parameters and send a request to the service specialists.

The Yardzen resource does not allow you to draw a drawing yourself. You send an application, and then the project designers work. Their services start at $649.

Main features:

✓ selection of a wide variety of design styles;
✓ analysis of the local area based on images;
✓ selection of vegetation suitable for the climate.

The portal is suitable for people who do not want to design and arrange the space themselves.

Video description

About choosing a program for designing a house in the following video:

Envisioneer Express

The editor is equipped with a set of tools with which it is easy to draw a house, carry out a layout and arrange furniture. The program has many convenient features:

Rendering using real dimensions.
Project details: adding partitions, doors and windows, stairs.
Landscaping of the local area.
Adjusting textures of finishing materials, changing furniture parameters.

Choosing a camera location in Envisioneer Express Source sftcdn.net

Mobile applications

Using a smartphone or tablet, you can edit the layout on the go, upload photos of the location, and draw on top of the photo.

iScape

OS:

iOS

License:

shareware

Landscape design platform for iPhone. Connects to the camera and shows on the screen how objects will look in reality. Here you can place plants from the built-in library, and then save the plan to your smartphone.

You can expand the functionality of the editor and get access to all the program's libraries by subscription for $29.99 per month.

Main features:

✓ AR design;
✓ collection of vegetation and textures.

The visualizer is a universal solution and is used by professional designers and ordinary homeowners.

Home Design 3D Outdoor/Garden

OS:

Android, iOS

License:

shareware

Lightweight mobile software for arranging an open space with a large gallery of elements. You will be able to place garden furniture, trees, swimming pools, greenhouses, fences, etc. Each item can have a custom finish. The result will be displayed in 3D and 2D modes.

Main features:

✓ more than 100 three-dimensional objects;
✓ dragging buildings on the touchscreen;
✓ regulation of terrain texture.

Suitable for amateur use as it does not allow precise editing of the layout. And the graphics here seem a little realistic.

Home Outside

OS:

iOS

License:

paid

A visualizer for iOS that offers tools for arranging your flower garden and backyard. It contains more than 700 elements, options for designing sketches, adding buildings, paths and fences.

Home Outside can be downloaded from the App Store for $2.99. The platform also has versions for Android and MacOS, but they are not available at the time of writing.

Main features:

✓ support for layers;
✓ uploading photos from your phone;
✓ linking content to the grid;
✓ resize and rotate each part;
✓ library of animated figures.

It is not used in a professional environment, as it has limited functionality and creates projects with low detail.

SweetHome, great option

Easy construction and simplified import. And also the opportunity to make a presentation or video series. That is, not only create an interesting sketch, but also show it in all its glory. Of course, working not only with three-dimensional elements, but also with standard two-dimensional drawings. Moreover, inside there is documentation, instructions and even a number of training videos.

It becomes clear that SweetHome is designed primarily for new users, for those who have not yet managed to adapt well to the industry. That’s right, because you don’t need to pay for this pleasure. Distribution is free, without any complex installations or hacks.

Perhaps one of the best options for a beginner. Moreover, you do not lose money if you try to use such an application. If you like it or find it too simple, you can always use analogues.

House-3D

The simplest possible interface. If in the previous paragraphs we often noted that both beginners and real experts can use it, this principle does not work here. There is nothing a specialist can do in such an application. This is the most simplified version, where norms, legislation, and sometimes even the laws of physics are completely ignored. So to speak, an ordinary cheat sheet for the future owner, so that he could delve into it, build several options and understand what he wants to ask for in the end.

As you can see, if you need to design country houses, a construction program is the simplest, fastest and most accurate way to solve the problem. Which, as practice shows, is suitable for all categories of the population.

This information is not an official recommendation and is taken from open sources. The material in the article is not a guide to the legal rules for registering land, property, erecting and finishing walls, or conducting construction. The manufacturer is not responsible for legal advice, as well as for defects in the structure or its elements that arise during or after completion of construction work based on this information. To carry out such work, use the services of certified specialists in the field of law and construction.

What is the plan

Depending on your own skills, the layout of a land plot can be a primitive sketch on a paper sheet, a clear drawing on graph paper, maintaining scale, or a full-fledged sketch, drawn by hand or created in a graphics editor. The correct plan displays all future objects on the site - a house and auxiliary buildings, small forms, paving, landscaping, engineering structures (well, borehole, septic tank). It is not a fact that the site is able to accommodate all the “wants”, so first they create a “skeleton”.

They display the exact shape of the yard, the lengths of all sides, schematically the neighboring buildings and fence (if any), nearby objects (forest, road, street, pond, etc.) and distances to them.
Indicate the orientation of the site to the cardinal points.
If there are trees or shrubs on the site that it was decided to leave, they are also marked on the plan.

It will not be possible to build up and plant a plot of land solely according to your own understanding - there are building rules that regulate not only the distances to neighboring objects, but also between your own. Therefore, when choosing a place for a house, outbuildings and vegetation, you will have to take into account the cardinal directions, insolation and wind rose, plus take into account current standards.

In one of the thematic materials they were discussed in detail.

Autodesk 3ds Max, room for creativity

This is where it will turn out to the fullest. The necessary architectural designer program on a PC for designing the facade of a house - here it is. If you want to add real animation to your model, introduce moving objects - no problem. If you want to create a lot of related elements, combine communication systems, foundation, external design in one file - nothing is simpler.

But the disadvantages lie on the surface. The first is high complexity. The second is the unfriendly price.

VisiCon

The main purpose is design. With such software it will not be possible to calculate the slope of the landscape, determine the degree of flooding of the foundation or the route of communications. Everything is simpler here: arrangement of furniture, decoration, arrangement of rooms relative to each other. There are various elements to add decoration, but that's all. Accordingly, it becomes clear that the main calculation is for an inexperienced user.

Arcon, the golden mean

An excellent choice for high-level professionals, as well as for a specialist who is just starting his career. But the average person will definitely not be able to cope here. There are a lot of different features that will be practically useless without specialized education. Separately, I would like to add that there is the possibility of complex work on one task.

There are, as usual, two versions. But unexpectedly, both of them are paid. One is more expensive, and the other is cheaper, but with reduced operating conditions.

HouseCreator

More and more different software is appearing that has a very narrow specificity. There are a lot of techniques here, but all of them are aimed only at the timber.

But the program also has its advantages. For example, in addition to creating a general drawing, there is an option for numbering logs. To avoid confusion, you can simply place a basic large log above your opponent. But it is precisely on the plan that this point is often not taken into account and quite impressive confusion arises.

Google SketchUp for pros

The software has two levels. The first is free, the second is paid and professional. It is already used by specialists working in design companies. Of course, if you don’t have the appropriate knowledge, then it’s better not to spend money on an advanced version. You still won’t be able to implement all its capabilities.

And if at first we talked about a variation for a beginner, here we will put a mode for professionals on this line of our review. For those who have already become familiar with the basic version and have studied a couple of similar applications, this is an excellent choice. It will literally give you a free hand, allowing you to create real masterpieces.

KZ-cottage

A very narrow application aimed specifically at working with buildings made of timber logs: log houses and wooden houses. Unusual, but given the demand in this area of construction, it is quite justified. There are many different tools, you can choose the type of logs, beams, boards. And what’s most convenient is that an estimate is immediately drawn up. You can throw together a few quick options and see which one ends up being cheaper or doesn't put too much of a dent in your overall budget.

Chief Architect

Essentially, the meaning is similar to the previous paragraph. Only here the orientation specifically lies on frame models. If you are planning just such a construction, then this application will not be superfluous. And just for the amateur. Professionals don't usually use these. They will work better in more functional general software. But future residents will be able to look at the desired option.

If you plan to use frame technology and you need a computer program to independently design the layout of a country house, here is an excellent solution.

LIRA-SAPR 2013

Drawing software. The main task is for the engineer to quickly determine what maximum pressure the structure can withstand at a particular level. Very narrow functionality, but it has no equal.

Are you looking for high-quality building materials at reasonable prices for a country house? Receive a discount code from the manufacturer and use it during the home checkout process. Get a discount on building materials »

It is noteworthy that it is distributed freely. Yes, there is a paid version, but it is not much superior to its free counterpart. So, most likely, there is no point in focusing on it.