Instructor:
John Radke

Lecture (CCN: 48539) TT 12:30 – 2:00 P 315A Wurster
Discussion (see website for labs) TBA 212 Wurster

Units: 4

This course introduces students to the use of computers in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design. Its central focus is the development of applied skills for computer-aided design (CAD) while examining the role that geographic information systems can play in the design process. This course provides students with 'hands-on' experience using and integrating the Internet, the World Wide Web, image processing, computer-aided design and geographic information systems in design. The course will emphasize 2D graphics in the first half of the semester, followed by 3D representations, rendering, 'fly-through' and solar studies in the latter half. In addition, the course introduces the student to global positioning systems, geographic information systems, surface modeling and the integration of raster images with CAD.

The course consists of both a lecture and a 'hands-on' laboratory session each week. The lecture is structured as a seminar in which the instructor and students discuss problems and CAD solutions in landscape design. The laboratory provides a practical introduction to some tools for spatial data manipulation in CAD.

Enrollment
Enrollment is limited to 20 students. If a student is enrolled in the course but fails to attend the first class (and has not previously notified the instructor), they will be dropped from the course!

Prerequisites
Prior experience with computers is helpful, but not required.

Topics Covered
Basic Skills: Hardware - client/server architectures, the network, file structures, and peripherals (printers, plotters, scanners and digitizers). Operating Systems - WindowsNT and UNIX. The Network - The World Wide Web,
HTML, File Transfer Protocol, remote login and X-term. Software - office utilities, image processing utilities and communication programs.

2D Modeling: 2D CAD Software - Introduction to CAD, MicroStationNT, MicroStation UNIX, 2D Modeling, cell libraries, Geo-reference, projections, digitizing in 2D, digital ortho photos, image integration and dimensioning.

3D Modeling and Rendering: 3D CAD Software - Basic concepts in 3D graphics, dynamic rotation, precision placement, material assignments and image rendering. Creating a contoured base-map, developing a surface model, visualizing designs using 3D Mock Ups, generating 3D rendered views and fly-through, and solar studies.

GIS: ArcView GIS Software - Basic concepts in GIS and CAD/GIS data
interchange techniques.

GPS: Trimble Navigation Software - Basic concepts in GPS, data download, differential correction and data interchange techniques.

Assignments and Evaluation
There is a mid-term exam that will cover the theory presented in the lectures. A variety of short laboratory assignments will be used to evaluate each student's progress. Finally, a small demonstration assignment will be undertaken and applied to a design problem at the Blake Garden.

Lab Assignments: 40%
Mid-term examination: 40%
Assigned project: 20%

References
Due to the nature of the subject matter, several books that address the material covered in the course will be suggested as references on the first day of class. These will be available in the library, in the computer labs, or on-line via hypertext.

Help menus
All documentation and online help for the software used in the course will be online and accessible by all students.

Click here to access the material