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lamadrina's avatar
lamadrina
Contributor 3
2 days ago

How I Create a Landscape Design, 2D Plan, and 3D Rendering Before Leaving the Client's Driveway

To close premium landscape deals on the spot, I use a fast, mobile-and-AI workflow that visualizes the final project before leaving the client's yard. Here's my method, and links to the programs I click on.

Map

I walk the property with Cam to Plan to instantly generate an accurate 2D layout using augmented reality.

Sketch

Robyn's Original drawing, using Procreate over a plot map from Cam to Plan

I drop that map into Procreate on my iPad with my Apple Pencil and start listening and observing. As the client shares their vision and seatbacks, I sketch design layers and notes directly over the map layout to build instant trust. 

This part is where you really design. You're listening to the client and creating solutions based on your breadth of knowlege and your uncanny talent to see the past, present, and future by looking at a plot of dirt. That part is 100% you.

It’s about this point that I go sit in the client's driveway for 10 minutes and hash out my design, and when I’m getting close, I turn to AI.

Polish

Glow up of Robyn's drawing using PlotTwist: Growing Shade

I run that rough sketch through my own app that I spent months developing (not a developer) called PlotTwist: GrowingShade, created with Opal.

It instantly transforms hand-drawn sketch into a clean 2D landscape plan with legible text, improved symbols, and architectural shading.

It’s my design, but presentation ready. I use these glow ups in website and social media posts.

 

Close

3D rendering, created in 60 seconds with PlotTwist 3D.

PlotTwist 3D, another of my Opal apps overlays that finished 2D plan directly onto the original photos of the client's yard.

Seeing a realistic 3D concept of their future space layered onto their actual home creates an immediate emotional connection that closes the deal. You do want to emphasize that it is conceptual, because this app isn't as accurate at the previous.

Now you know all my secrets! Comment below on the programs and apps that you use!

-La Madrina

 

3 Replies

  • julie's avatar
    julie
    Jobber Community Team

    Wow! This is incredibly cool. Thank you for taking the time to share this with the community.
    As a visual learner, the renditions are super helpful. 

  • Great example of turning an idea into something clients can actually see. Do customers usually make fewer revisions when they get a rendering this early?

    • lamadrina's avatar
      lamadrina
      Contributor 3

      In my experience, yes. You find out really quickly if you're on the same page or they are so blown away by your prowess that they trust you to take the reigns. I see a lot of people who think they know what they want, but when I offer an alternate solution that is presented in a way they can imagine it, they are more than happy to acquiesce.

      I've had potential clients take my free designs and get them installed by another company, so I'm cautious about spending more than an hour on complimentary design and estimating. After about an hour, I put my foot down and give them the option of either: A) continuing with "design and cost engineering fee" or B) accepting the estimate range so they can get on the schedule while we're going through the built-in design and cost engineering process.