LANDSCAPE MODELLING FROM SITE TO PLAN MANUAL?

[Bunbun]

I have made some forays into making a site model using various webinars and you tube tutorials but as a landscape designer, want to 1. Create site model from topographical information  2. Apply a 2D landscape plan to this. It all seems rather complicated compared to sketch up and different tutorials sometimes overlap or have slightly different approaches. 

Is there a definitive guide for landscape designers from topo to finished 3D design in written form? I know there's one about stand alone 3D object modelling but at the moment I'm trying to work out how that fits together with a site model. Some of the sites I have to design are large and not small gardens although I suppose the principles are the same. Anyone have any advice?

 

 

[Jeff Prince]

There’s one on the Vectorworks university page that is pretty good.  It grades a parking lot and uses retaining walls.  Between that and having a good understanding of hardscapes, you should have most of the tools you need covered.