Window Layout

The picture below shows the Realtime Landscaping Pro interface with each section of the interface labeled.

Menu Bar

The Menu Bar contains important settings and options, such Program Settings and the ability to save your landscape designs.

Click on a menu to view the options that it contains. For example, click File to expose the saving and loading options.

Object Category Tabs

Every object that can be added to your landscape design is located under one of the Object Category Tabs. Simply click a tab to view the available objects under it; for example, if click the Landscape tab to expose the Add Plant button. Each object category tab is summarized below.

•      Main – The Main tab contains some common file and clipboard commands, such as Save, Copy, and Print.

•      Building – The Building tab contains objects used for construction and hardscaping, such as House, Patio, and Retaining Wall.

•      Terrain – The Terrain tab contains objects used for modifying the topology of the landscape, such as Slope and Area Grader.

•      Landscape – The Landscape tab contains the core landscaping objects, such as Plant, Region, and Path.

•      Water Features – The Water Features tab contains objects used for adding ponds, irrigation systems, fountains, and more.

•      Swimming Pool – The Swimming Pool tab contains objects related to swimming pools and swimming pool accessories.

•      Utilities – The Utilities tab contains useful “helper” objects, such as Text, Overlay, and Lot Boundary.

•      Modeling – The Modeling tab contains objects used to create your own landscaping accessories.

Object Creation Tools

The Object Creation Tools are located directly underneath the Object Category Tabs. To access the object you wish to add to your landscape design, first click the Object Category Tab that contains the object you are interested in, and then click the button of the object you wish to add. To add the object to your landscape, follow the instructions that appear at that very bottom of the program.

If you are uncertain about what a particular object is, just hold your mouse over the object’s button and a quick note will show you the object’s name. If you would like more details about an object, click the object’s button and press the F1 key.

See Adding Objects for more information.

Editing Tools

The Editing Tools are located to the left of the screen and allow you to manipulate objects. For example, using the Scale tool you can shrink or enlarge an object, and using the Move tool objects can be relocated.

View Tools

The View tools are located to the left of the screen and allow you to adjust your view in both the Top-Down and Perspective views. For example, the Orbit tool allows you to rotate your view around the landscape, and the Zoom tool allows you to move your view closer to or farther from your landscape.

For more information, see Adjusting the View.

Grid On/Off

The Grid toggle button is located to the left of the screen and determines whether a square grid is displayed in your landscape design. See Snap Settings for more information.

Snap Tools

The top button, Snap Toggle, turns all snapping on and off at once. The bottom button, Snap Settings, lets you control which snap options are enabled. See Snap Settings for more information.

View Tabs

The View Tabs are located near the bottom-left of the screen, and allow you to switch between the Top-Down and Perspective views. Additionally, the Realtime Walkthrough is also accessed from the View Tabs.

The Top-Down view is a two dimensional view that is useful for adding and editing objects. Many objects can be set to appear differently in the Top-Down view, allowing you to achieve a stylized appearance.

The Perspective view is a three dimensional view that is useful for sculpting the terrain, setting elevations, and adding doors and windows. In the Perspective view, your landscape design can be seen from any angle.

The Realtime Walkthrough is a special viewing mode that allows you to walk through your landscape in 3D. During the walkthrough, special animations and sound effects are available.

Layer Tools

Layers help you organize your landscape design and make it easy to work with groups of related objects. For example, you could put an irrigation design into one layer, planting details into another, and so forth. Another useful technique is to place alternate design ideas into different layers that you can quickly show and hide when presenting to your client. For more information, see Using Layers.

Object Properties

The Object Properties appear to the right of the screen when an object is selected. Object properties are used to make important adjustments and modifications to the objects in your landscape designs, such as changing plant types or adjusting the height of a fence. For more information, see Setting Object Properties.

Dynamic Help

The Dynamic Help provides very useful tips and instructions near the bottom of the screen. For example, while creating an object, a step by step guide is shown in the Dynamic Help bar.