So, if i understand this correctly, I should be making the yard grad first then making the patio shape and stamping it down on the existing terrain.

Thanks for the input! I'm still a bit confused, why is kerkythea free, and what makes all other render programs worth what they sell for?

I have question on this same topic. I think it was mentioned but never answered on this thread.

I design paver patios and landscape construction. I start with the property layout, house, and patio area. After that, the yard is all one plane. I've used the soap skin plugin to turn it into a grid. i'm using the smoove tool. My question is, how can i adjust grades on the yard while making sure that where the yard and patio meet stays locked at the same elevation?

Yeah i watched a webinar on shaderlight, and they explained the "replace me" tool. Most of my projects will be landscape construction in someones backyard, so i probably won't have more than a few trees. I personally don't think that feature alone would be enough to buy Shaderlight.

Right now I'm more interested in what people have to say about Kerkythea vs. a paid program such as Thea.

Thanks guys for the response. I have been jumping into Kerkythea a little bit. Is there any reasons i shouldn't use Kerkythea? I also am looking at the demo version of Thea. I would love some feedback on the pros and cons of these programs.

I've worked with Dynascape software in the past and they are recommending shaderlight. From the looks of it, I can tell a huge difference between Shaderlight and Kerkythea. Can anyone explain the technical differences between the two and why Dynascape would be recommending it?

I'm fairly new to this field and this is my first post on this forum. I'm looking for advice for rendering software. I work for a custom design/build landscape construction company and we are expanding into the 3d presentations. I've got a decent handle on sketchup (I'm working my way through "Google Sketchup for Site Design" by Danial Tal) but i'm looking for advice when it comes to rendering software. Obviously, I will be producing mostly exterior landscape designs with a lot of hardscaping and structures.

PS. This forum is an awesome source of info! I'll probably have a lot of other questions as i go along, but the rendering question is the most important right now.

Thanks,

Dave