DYNASCAPE
I do 100% of my design work using a CAD (Computer Assisted Design) software program called DynaScape.  I learned hand-drafting back in the 80's, and was pretty good at it.  During a professional hiatus in the early 90's, I developed severe, chronic tendonitis, which prevents me from holding a pen/pencil/whatever for very long.  My hiatus therefore went longer than desired, because I could no longer do the work.  I kept researching CAD programs, though, hoping to find one which would help me express myself artistically in the manner I'd once done manually. In 1999 I began to hear about DynaScape.  It seemed to offer the graphical artistry and personalizations that I had decided were mandatory if I was ever to use a computer for landscape design.  I have been delighted with the program ever since I purchased it.   

CAN YOU REALLY "DRAW" WITH A COMPUTER AND BE ARTISTIC?
Of course CAD can be artisitic!

For some reason lots of folks have this notion that you aren't actually being artistic if you're using a computer. There's really no need to think such a thing! CAD is simply a different way of being artistic, just like an electronic synthesizer is a different way of playing the piano. Just like sculpting is a different art form than painting.

Now, I agree that up until recently CAD programs as a group have been pretty wretched in their "artistic" graphic abilities. However, that's a limitation of the software, and it's rapidly fading away as new programs are developed and old ones enhanced. But even so, CAD is simply a different kind of tool, much as a mechanical pencil and a wood-encased graphite are different tools. No one would insinuate or assume that a person who uses mechanical pencils is untalented or untrained simply because of their pencil choice, right? Then why would anyone make such broad-sweeping generalizations about those who choose to use CAD?

DOESN'T A COMPUTER MAKE YOUR DESIGNS COME OUT WITH STRAIGHT LINES?
If anyone is seeing landscapes that look straight, stiff, artificial, one-dimensional, or sterile, then either A) it's the intent of the design, or B) it's a demonstration of the designer's lack of inherent design ability. It has nothing, repeat NOTHING, to do with the fact that the design was created with CAD. Either a person is creative, or they aren't. How they express their creativity (CAD, templates 'n triangles, or Etch-A-Sketch) is no indication of their talent, skill, or artistic vision.

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