On your home computer Sketch-up, AutoCAD and if you can get a copy photoshop (note student discount).
If not loaded already get a copy asap.
From Capability CAD to remind you about what is needed.
Digital Basics
Hi All,
First of all some links for software.
David Watson is a tutor at Greenwich University and has created some extensive web sites for the student community. A resources for you to use. Loads of tutorials and links.
Cadtutor is a site to help all with Autodesk, Adobe and other digital products. A massive resource. Take some time to have a look around.
Coursestuff is a more specific site for Greenwich and Hadlow students. Again with tutorials and links.
This page offers information on downloading Autodesk AutoCAD (student versions), Google Sketch-up and Adobe photoshop (student versions). Just scroll down to the relevant section. Note, Adobe student programs are not free. If you can afford it I would recommend Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 Production Premium as it contains film editing apps that will come useful later in your studies.
Minimum Course Requirements
AutoCAD 2012
Sketch-up 8
Photoshop CS5 or 5.5 (no actual difference). If you bring in and work on stuff done on CS3 it won’t be back compatible from CS5
Power Point
Mac users
I would advise you use bootcamp and set up a partition (100Gb if you can spare the space).
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/boot_camp_install-setup.pdf
Windows 7 (alas XP no longer works on Lion, Snow leopard, but if you have leopard you may be in luck).
Then load as above the relevant programs. In particular AutoCAD, as the layout is completely different on a mac (madness in my opinion).
If you wish to use Photoshop and Sketch-up they are broadly the same (just slightly different short-cuts) and should be no problem.
Keynotes can be exported as a Power point, though you will lose some of the more fancy transitions and fonts. I shall show you some work-arounds. As and when.
Books
Find below two selections of books, some that would be worth purchasing and others at least borrow and make your own mind up.
Books to purchase (in my opinion I might add)
A really good reference book for the course and for the rest of your time grappling with AutoCAD. Nicely set out with plenty of images.
A must for all Garden Designers and LA’s. Some good rendering ideas and techniques. All three programs covered. A very specific book to our industry.
A good book to dip in and out of for specific photoshop techniques.
Terrible cover, but don’t be put off.
This book is not about Cad, but its a brilliant reference book to design principles and is a great help when you get stuck or need reassurance.
Every designer no matter what field should have this book on their shelves, invaluable. ( I am sure Rod has already recommended it to you).
Books to Borrow
Its in the Library, very 50’s style, but a good book to look at, if you want to understand light, shadow and atmosphere. This will become relevant when we look at rendering techniques.
As the course progresses i will add some video tutorials for your reference, as when you require them. If you are really nervous about the course, well i won’t lie its not easy, especially if you have an aversion to all things technological. So we will take it slow in class, but the only way to ‘get it’ is practice. So i will be setting your projects straight away so you can practice and then progress each week as questions arise and get answered. Don’t panic we have some great tools at our disposal and as any tradesmen will tell you ‘skill comes with practice.’
If you get some time i recommend looking at Davids Basic section on AutoCAD
All short videos, but worth looking at to understand some of the terminology.
Hadlow run down of uploading AutoCAD.
Second.
Please bring (min 2GB) memory stick for your work to save, as well as work you have completed at home that you may need help with.
Apparently (heard this years ago) the literal translation of the word 'problem' from the Greek, means 'push forward.'
Happy play
Grant
