topic Re: Vectorworks vs. Archicad for Landscape Architects in General discussions

Vectorworks vs. Archicad for Landscape Architects

awhite — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:56:42 GMT

I've used Archicad while I was previously working for an architecture firm. Now, I work for a landscape architecture firm that is trying to get started using Vectorworks. I'm finding the switch very difficult and would like yalls thoughts on the pros/cons of both programs for landscape architecture/civil engineering.

Re: Vectorworks vs. Archicad for Landscape Architectd

mthd — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 07:02:11 GMT

Hi @awhite, might be good to ask in the Vectorworks forum.

Re: Vectorworks vs. Archicad for Landscape Architects

Laszlo Nagy — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 20:38:50 GMT

I think neither app is a good choice for civil engineering (like roads, bridges, tunnels, etc., if that is what you mean), and neither has the dedicated tools for that discipline.

Vectorworks offers a dedicated version for landscape architecture. It is called Vectorworks Landmark. It has many dedicated tools.

Archicad itself does not have similar tools by default. The best you can do is probably the LAND4 Add-On, which offers landcaping and terrain modeling functionalities:

https://www.land4cad.com/

Since I am not a landscape architect, beyond knowing about the existence of these solutions, I cannot advise you on which one would be the better choice for your purposes. You should probably ask for trial versions for each and test out their capabilities.