CAD Intro 🌐

# CAD for Gardeners

_Beginners’ guide to computer-aided design_ 🌐🌳

![Photo from above of newly planted curvey path garden, overlaid with CAD lines on path and edge](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_390/v1580908407/class/overlay-illustration.jpg)

#### [natureworks.org.uk/slides/cad](https://www.natureworks.org.uk/slides/cad/)

###### **Press `P` to see notes & credits**<br>**No.4: CAD** | Wildlife Forest Garden Design Classes | [natureworks.org.uk/classes](https://www.natureworks.org.uk/classes/)

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* Work licensed under [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/), embedded work may have other licenses.
* Slideshow always available online
* Press `p` for notes
* Contact
  * [Jake Rayson](https://natureworks.org.uk/about) 
  * Email <hello@natureworks.org.uk> 
  * Mastodon [@natureworks@mas.to](https://mas.to/@natureworks)

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# Class outline

1. Why CAD?
2. Setup QCAD
3. Shapes, entities & mods
4. Examples
5. Exercises
6. Tips

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — Setup — Shapes — Examples — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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* Is CAD really for you?
* Can you get by with paper plan?
* There is a steep learning curve & you **will** need to practise
* <abbr title="Read The Manual!">RTFM</abbr> if you can: [QCAD manual](https://qcad.org/en/qcad-book)
* [Refunds available](https://help.gumroad.com/article/47-how-to-refund-a-customer) from [my Gumroad shop](https://natureworksgarden.gumroad.com/)!
* Put the time in to survey accurately! An accurate survey gives an accurate plan! TODO

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# 1. Why CAD?

<h6 class="breadcrumb"><span class="u-underline">CAD</span> — Setup — Shapes — Examples — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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# 🌍🌐<br><br>This world needs<br>more gardeners<br><br>🌱🐛<br>

<h6 class="breadcrumb"><span class="u-underline">CAD</span> — Setup — Shapes — Examples — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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* Nature & Climate Emergency
* Gardens need to be a wildlife haven with crops
* A forest garden!
  * Edible - get a crop
  * Wildlife - work with nature
  * Ornamental - a pleasure to be in
* Native plants where possible
* Diversity of wildlife habitat
* This stuff needs planning

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# Forest garden

![Path through mature forest garden](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_481/v1574024543/art-national-geographic-video.jpg)

* “Work with nature to grow edible crops”
* Emulate edge of woodland
* Natural pest control & fertility
* Create edible **ecosystem**

<h6 class="breadcrumb"><span class="u-underline">CAD</span> — Setup — Shapes — Examples — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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* Perennial edibles
* Photo still & [Martin Crawford](https://www.agroforestry.co.uk) quote from the short film [A forest garden with 500
edible plants could lead to a sustainable future](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_m_0UPOzuI/) by
[Thomas Regnault](https://www.thomasregnault.com) on National Geographic

---

# What is CAD?

![CAD plan of circular beds](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_516,bo_1px_solid_gray/v1587997700/rhug/cad-patio-aswas.png)

* [Computer Aided Design](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer-aided_design)
* Create precise line diagrams
* Used in architecture & manufacturing
* 2D CAD

<h6 class="breadcrumb"><span class="u-underline">CAD</span> — Setup — Shapes — Examples — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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* **Line** based
* 2 dimensional means **plan** view
* Cf. drawing software eg [Inkscape](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inkscape), [Illustrator](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adobe_Illustrator)
* Cf. painting software eg [Photoshop](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adobe_Photoshop), [GIMP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adobe_Photoshop), [Krita](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krita)

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# Open Source CAD

![Screenshot of CAD garden design including menus](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_520/v1570785794/greenroom-cad-screenshots-nophoto.png)

* I use [QCAD](https://qcad.org/en/) 🌈🦄
* [Free version](https://www.qcad.org/en/qcad-downloads-trial)
* [Paid version](https://www.qcad.org/en/online-shop?cur=GBP) £41
* [QCAD Book](https://qcad.org/en/qcad-book) £36

<h6 class="breadcrumb"><span class="u-underline">CAD</span> — Setup — Shapes — Examples — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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* Free version more than adequate for CAD garden design
* I bought QCAD to support developer
* The code for [Open Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open-source_software) software is freely available
* Free alternative to QCAD is [LibreCAD](https://librecad.org/)
* Industry standard [Vectorworks](https://www.vectorworks.net/en-GB/landmark/buy) £1,230 _per year_!

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# Paper?

[![Outline plan drawn on 5mm grid paper](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_520/v1671115375/class/cad-intro-grid-paper.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/v1671115375/class/cad-intro-grid-paper.jpg)

* Do you even need CAD?*
* Paper if only 1 design
* Get **scale** right

<h6 class="breadcrumb"><span class="u-underline">CAD</span> — Setup — Shapes — Examples — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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* * “When you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail”
* [5mm grid](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Graph-Paper-Squared-Cartesian-Jotter/dp/B08TCJPDXC/) _paper_
* Whatever you use, get scale right
* Click on image to get higher resolution

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## CAD Pros 👍

* 1:1 
* Fast & accurate
* Easy to edit
* Portable

## CAD Cons 👎

* Technical
* Ugly
* Steep learning curve

<h6 class="breadcrumb"><span class="u-underline">CAD</span> — Setup — Shapes — Examples — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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* cf drawing apps (eg [Inkscape](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inkscape), [Adobe Illustrator](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adobe_Illustrator))
* cf paper - which is faster to sketch, less accurate, harder to edit and share 
* Portable
  * Save as [DXF format](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AutoCAD_DXF), as text format
  * Small file size, can use code repositories (eg GitHub) for storage and version control
  * Easy to print out as PDF

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# Reasons to plan

![Photo from above of newly planted curvey path garden](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_380/v1580908407/clifftop/drone-crop.jpg)

1. Spacing
2. Position
3. Quantity
4. Communicate
5. Document

<h6 class="breadcrumb"><span class="u-underline">CAD</span> — Setup — Shapes — Examples — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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# 1. Tree spacing

![Plan view of tree outlines with spacing guidance](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_520/v1573738171/tree-spacing-169.png)

1. Forest gardens emulate **woodland edge**
2. Enough light for crops below canopy
3. About ¼ to ½ average canopy diameter

<h6 class="breadcrumb"><span class="u-underline">CAD</span> — Setup — Shapes — Examples — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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* Tree spacing most critical, as trees hard to move
* Same principle for other plants - not too crowded or sparse

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# 2. Position

![Outlines of paths in garden, blue house below & beyond](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_520/v1573738171/clifftop/220209-clifftop-wiggly-paths-169-saturated.jpg)

* Plan enables **play**
* Try different positions quickly
* Overview of different conditions

<h6 class="breadcrumb"><span class="u-underline">CAD</span> — Setup — Shapes — Examples — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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# 3. Quantity

![CAD drawing showing area of a section, and ruler, side-by-side with plant spreadsheet](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_520/v1573738171/undergrove/cad-area-quantity-spreadsheet.jpg)

* CAD brilliant at estimates
* Distance tool for lengths
* Easy to calculate areas
* Use with spreadsheet

<h6 class="breadcrumb"><span class="u-underline">CAD</span> — Setup — Shapes — Examples — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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* My plant spreadsheet template [bit.ly/template-plants](https://bit.ly/template-plants)

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# 4. Communicate

![Screenshot of online client notes](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_518,bo_1px_solid_gray/v1573738171/undergrove/client-notes-undergrove.jpg)

* Share ideas with partners 
* Landscaping & planting guide
* Your future self

<h6 class="breadcrumb"><span class="u-underline">CAD</span> — Setup — Shapes — Examples — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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* Easy to print out CAD as a PDF

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# 5. Document

![Montage of photos of new garden taken from above](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_520/v1656154985/hedgerows/hedgerows-from-east-beds-mar21-lines.jpg)

* Where _are_ the plants?!
* Seasonal differences
* **Educate** partners
* Management top priority

<h6 class="breadcrumb"><span class="u-underline">CAD</span> — Setup — Shapes — Examples — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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Spreadsheet another good tool for reference

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# 2. Setup QCAD

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — <span class="u-underline">Setup</span> — Shapes — Examples — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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# QCAD setup steps

1. Install QCAD*
2. Set units to metres†<br>
  `Defaults for New Drawings > Drawing Unit`
3. Remove trial plugins‡
4. Set theme to Dark (restart app)§<br>
 `Application Preferences > General > Theme`
5. Set background to dark grey‖<br>
  `Application Preferences > Graphics View > Colors > Background > Others > #3e3e3e`
6. Hide Command Line & show Block widgets<br>
  `View > Command Line`   `View > Block List`
7. Stack Layer, Property & Block widgets¶

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — <span class="u-underline">Setup</span> — Shapes — Examples — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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* [Download QCAD Trial](https://qcad.org/en/download)
* * [Install QCAD](https://qcad.org/en/documentation/installation), depends on Operating System
* † You can set units on first start. I use metres: 
  * Approximate enough for gardening
  * All my [CAD blocks](https://github.com/growdigital?tab=repositories&q=cad+blocks&type=&language=&sort=) use metres 
  * Millimetres normally used in architecture
* ‡ Remove these plugins from the `plugins` folder:
  * `libqcaddwg.so`
  * `libqcadpdf.so`
  * `libqcadpolygon.so`
  * `libqcadproj.so`
  * `libqcadproscripts.so`
  * `libqcadshp.so`
  * `libqcadspatialindexpro.so`
  * `libqcadtrace.so`
  * `libqcadtriangulation.so`
* ‡ So that only these plugins remain:
  * `libqcaddarkstyle.so`
  * `libqcaddxf.so`
  * `libqcadscripts.so`<br>![Screenshot of file list of 3 lonely plugins](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/v1672257002/class/plugins-remaining.png)
* Location of plugins folder:
  * MacOS: `Applications/QCAD.app/Contents/PlugIns` (Right-click on `QCAD.app` and click `Show Package Contents`)
  * Windows: `[QCAD installation folder]\plugins`
  * Linux: `[QCAD installation directory]/plugins` - I have mine in `~/opt/qcad-3…/plugins`
* ‖ The reason to use a dark background is that the default CAD colours are more visible than on a white background.
* ¶ I “lock” these to the right hand side of the screen, as they are the widgets I use the most and I like to have them visible all the time.

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — <span class="u-underline">Setup</span> — Shapes — Examples — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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# 3. Shapes, entities & mods

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — Setup — <span class="u-underline">Shapes</span> — Examples — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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* Download the working CAD files from the [CAD for Gardeners project ](https://github.com/growdigital/cad-gardeners) or [direct from here](https://github.com/growdigital/cad-gardeners/archive/refs/heads/main.zip)

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# But first…

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — Setup — <span class="u-underline">Shapes</span> — Examples — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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# Finding your way

* Zoom in/out
  * Mouse scroll
  * `+` & `-` keys
  * `View > Zoom > Auto Zoom`
* Panning 
  * Mouse scroll **click**
  * `View > Zoom > Pan Zoom`

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — Setup — <span class="u-underline">Shapes</span> — Examples — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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* Apologies for the terrible pun
* Netsuke of Mouse with Scroll in Mouth

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# Don’t Panic!

![Close-up of shiny red escape key on keyboard](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_480/v1672747890/shiny-red-esc-key.jpg)

* Hit `Escape` to return to arrow tool
* `View > Zoom > Auto Zoom`

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — Setup — <span class="u-underline">Shapes</span> — Examples — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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* Photo by Wander Boessenkool <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shiny_red_Esc_(7160723193).jpg>

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# 3. Shapes, entities & mods

* **4** shapes
* **3** entities
* **4** mods

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — Setup — <span class="u-underline">Shapes</span> — Examples — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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* Download files from [https://github.com/growdigital/cad-gardeners](github.com/growdigital/cad-gardeners)

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# **4** shapes

![CAD shapes screenshot: rectangle, line & circle](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_430/v1672749716/class/cad-rectangle-line-circle.png)

1. Rectangle
2. Line tool
3. Circles for trees
4. NURBS for curves!

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — Setup — <span class="u-underline">Shapes</span> — Examples — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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* <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-uniform_rational_B-spline" title="Non-uniform rational B-spline">NURBS</a> tool for creating curves!
* See [Survey Class](https://natureworks.org.uk/classes/) on how to measure up & survey your site.

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# Snap!

![QCAD snap menu](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_430/v1672749716/class/qcad-snap-menu.png)

1. Snap Auto `SA`
2. Snap Free `SF`
3. Snap on Entity `ST` 
4. Snap to End `SE`

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — Setup — <span class="u-underline">Shapes</span> — Examples — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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# **3** entities

![CAD entities screenshot: block, polyline & text](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_430/v1672751964/class/cad-block-polyline-text.png)

1. Block
2. Polyline
3. Text

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — Setup — <span class="u-underline">Shapes</span> — Examples — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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* Block is a symbol that can be re-used & edited just once
  * Useful for creating shape, **then** applying angle
  * Also, where there are many instances of an element
* Polyline is a *connected* line, can calculate area. Use command `Draw > Polyline > Polyline from Selection`, shortcut `OC`
  * Useful for grouping lines together
  * Also gives you **area** (can also use measurement tools)
* NURBS give you curved lines, I use `Spline (Control Points)`. Stands for Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines.

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# Layers!

![Screenshot of Jake's Delicious CAD template on GitHub page](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_430/v1673340128/class/delicious-cad-template.png)

* Organise different elements
* Shape takes layer colour
* My delicious [template](https://github.com/growdigital/template)

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — Setup — <span class="u-underline">Shapes</span> — Examples — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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* QCAD templates stored in `[QCAD folder]/libraries/templates/`
* GitHub is a **code repository**
* An online place to store and share text-based files and small images
* Also for keeping track of old versions

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# **4** mods

![CAD modifications screenshot: offset, mirror, divide & rotate](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_430/v1672751964/class/cad-offset-mirror-divide-rotate.png)

1. Offset
2. Mirror
3. Divide
4. Rotate

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — Setup — <span class="u-underline">Shapes</span> — Examples — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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* Mods is short for modifications!
* I’m using a real world example, creating a curved [gabion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabion) wall for my [primary school wildlife garden project](https://grwd.uk/primary).
* Offset
  * Example with path
  * Example of curved gabion wall

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# Blocks!

![Screenshot of forest garden blocks CAD file](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_430/v1672751964/class/blocks-forest-garden-cad.png)

* [Forest garden plants](https://github.com/growdigital/blocks-forestgarden)
* [Native wild plants](https://github.com/growdigital/blocks-gardenwild)
* [Garden furniture](https://github.com/growdigital/blocks-furniture)

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# 4. Examples

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — Setup — Shapes — <span class="u-underline">Examples</span> — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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# Example walkthroughs🚶

![CAD paths](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_480,h_270/v1673022407/hedgerows/hedgerows-paths.png)

1. Average garden 
2. Satellite 🛰
3. Garden acre
4. Garden town

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# 1. Average garden

[![CAD drawing of 1 acre next to average sized garden](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_480,h_270/v1672751964/class/average-acre-cad.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/v1672751964/class/average-acre-cad.jpg)

* UK 188m²
* London 140m²
* cf. 1 acre 4000m²

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — Setup — Shapes — <span class="u-underline">Examples</span> — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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* ONS article [One in eight British households has no garden](https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/environmentalaccounts/articles/oneineightbritishhouseholdshasnogarden/2020-05-14)

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# 2. Satellite 🛰

![Screenshot 3D satellite window](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_480,h_270/v1591459919/greenroom-satellite-3d-google-south-west-169.jpg)

1. Screenshot
2. Metres per pixel
3. Scale in QCAD

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — Setup — Shapes — <span class="u-underline">Examples</span> — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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Screengrab **for personal use only**

1. Screenshot: maximum resolution **with scale**, save as JPEG
2. Calculate metres per pixel
3. Same as your image scale factor
4. Import: create new CAD file, save image in same folder, import image
5. Resize: image automatically scaled at 1 pixel per metre. Select image, open `Property Editor`, enter image scale factor

Instructions online: [Forest garden CAD photo](https://www.forestgarden.wales/blog/forest-garden-cad-photo/)

OS maps onscreen from [groundstability.com](https://groundstability.com/public/web/log-order)

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — Setup — Shapes — <span class="u-underline">Examples</span> — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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# Satellite: <span class="u-smaller">1. Screenshot</span>

![Screenshot 2D satellite window, including browser chrome](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_480,h_270/v1573757850/course-screenshot-satellite-photo.jpg)

* Highest resolution possible
* Be sure to include scale, in metres
* Save as good quality JPEG

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — Setup — Shapes — <span class="u-underline">Examples</span> — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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* Resolution varies between vendors
* Vendors
  * [Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps)
  * [Bing Maps](https://www.bing.com/maps)
  * If you have a mac, [Apple Maps](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Maps)

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# Satellite: <span class="u-smaller">2. Metres per pixel</span>

1. Measure pixel length of metres scale
2. **_Metres per pixel_**  `5m ÷ 106px = 0.047169811`
4. Image scale factor = metres per pixel

![Closeup of scale in metres on satellite screenshot](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_560/v1573759452/course-satellite-scale.jpg)

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — Setup — Shapes — <span class="u-underline">Examples</span> — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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* Use Photoshop, Open Source [GIMP](https://www.gimp.org) or [alternative](https://alternativeto.net/software/gimp/)
* [QCAD](https://qcad.org/en/) imports at 1 metre per pixel

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# Satellite: <span class="u-smaller">3. Scale in QCAD</span>

1. `File → Import` , `Select → Select All` 👈
3. `View → Property Editor`
4. `Width & Height Factor:` _image scale factor_

<span class="our-scale-factor">Our <em>image<br>scale factor</em> is<br>metres per pixel<br><strong>0.047169811</strong></span>

![Screenshot of CAD program, showing Import image](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_580/v1573817365/scale-image-01-import.png)

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — Setup — Shapes — <span class="u-underline">Examples</span> — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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* QCAD document same folder as image
* File → Import

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# Satellite: <span class="u-smaller">3. Scale in QCAD</span>

1. `File → Import` , `Select → Select All` 👈
3. `View → Property Editor`
4. `Width & Height Factor:` _image scale factor_

<span class="our-scale-factor">Our <em>image<br>scale factor</em> is<br>metres per pixel<br><strong>0.047169811</strong></span>

![Screenshot of CAD program, showing Select All](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_580/v1573817366/scale-image-02-selectall.png)

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — Setup — Shapes — <span class="u-underline">Examples</span> — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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* Select → Select All

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# Satellite: <span class="u-smaller">3. Scale in QCAD</span>

1. `File → Import` , `Select → Select All`
3. `View → Property Editor` 👈
4. `Width & Height Factor:` _image scale factor_

<span class="our-scale-factor">Our <em>image<br>scale factor</em> is<br>metres per pixel<br><strong>0.047169811</strong></span>

![Screenshot of CAD program, showing Property Editor](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_580/v1573817366/scale-image-03-propertyeditor.png)

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — Setup — Shapes — <span class="u-underline">Examples</span> — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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* View → Property Editor

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# Satellite: <span class="u-smaller">3. Scale in QCAD</span>

1. `File → Import` , `Select → Select All`
3. `View → Property Editor` 👈
4. `Width & Height Factor:` _image scale factor_

<span class="our-scale-factor">Our <em>image<br>scale factor</em> is<br>metres per pixel<br><strong>0.047169811</strong></span>

![Screenshot of CAD program, showing Property Editor](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_580/v1573817366/scale-image-04-propertyeditor.png)

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — Setup — Shapes — <span class="u-underline">Examples</span> — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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* View → Property Editor

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# Satellite: <span class="u-smaller">3. Scale in QCAD</span>

1. `File → Import` , `Select → Select All`
3. `View → Property Editor`
4. `Width & Height Factor:` _image scale factor_ 👈

<span class="our-scale-factor">Our <em>image<br>scale factor</em> is<br>metres per pixel<br><strong>0.047169811</strong></span>

![Screenshot of CAD program, showing Property Editor Width Factor](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_580/v1573817366/scale-image-05-widthfactor.png)

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — Setup — Shapes — <span class="u-underline">Examples</span> — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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* Width & Height Factor

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# Satellite: <span class="u-smaller">3. Scale in QCAD</span>

1. `File → Import` , `Select → Select All`
3. `View → Property Editor`
4. `Width & Height Factor:` _image scale factor_ 👈

<span class="our-scale-factor">Our <em>image<br>scale factor</em> is<br>metres per pixel<br><strong>0.047169811</strong></span>

![Screenshot of CAD program, showing Property Editor Height Factor](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_580/v1573817366/scale-image-06-heightfactor.png)

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — Setup — Shapes — <span class="u-underline">Examples</span> — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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* Width & Height Factor

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# Satellite: <span class="u-smaller">3. Scale in QCAD</span>

1. `File → Import` , `Select → Select All`
3. `View → Property Editor`
4. `Width & Height Factor:` _image scale factor_ 👈

<span class="our-scale-factor">Our <em>image<br>scale factor</em> is<br>metres per pixel<br><strong>0.047169811</strong></span>

![Screenshot of CAD program, showing scaled image](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_580/v1573817366/scale-image-07-complete.png)

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — Setup — Shapes — <span class="u-underline">Examples</span> — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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* Width & Height Factor

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# 3. Garden acre

![Satellite photograph of houses & fields](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_430/v1672751964/class/acre-google-satellite.jpg)

1. Satellite better for acres
2. Update with measurements
3. [Old maps](https://maps.nls.uk/) & [OS maps](https://www.bing.com/maps?osid=99c90955-4484-4d18-bc8f-114f37a9a37f&cp=52.057029%7E-4.469182&lvl=16.0&style=s&v=2&sV=2&form=S00027)

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — Setup — Shapes — <span class="u-underline">Examples</span> — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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### Add a template directory

1. Download my delicious template [github.com/growdigital/template](https://github.com/growdigital/template)
2. Unzip the file and put the folder somewhere safe eg `Documents`
3. In QCAD, `Edit > Application Preferences > File > Templates`
4. Add folder
5. Restart QCAD
6. `File > New from Template`
7. Choose `template` folder, create new file

Instructions: [bit.ly/add-qcad-template](https://bit.ly/add-qcad-template)

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* Elements to create
  1. Template
  2. Satellite  
  3. Boundary
  4. Paths
  5. Trees (forest garden block)
  6. Hedges
* Reference
  * [bing.com/maps](https://bing.com/maps) Ordnance Survey & nice photos
  * [google.co.uk/maps](https://google.co.uk/maps) higher resolution?

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — Setup — Shapes — <span class="u-underline">Examples</span> — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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# 4. Garden town

![Satellite photograph of east-west facing street](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_430/v1672751964/class/garden-google-satellite.jpg)

1. Satellite rough guide
2. Plan from _measurements_
3. General info from maps

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — Setup — Shapes — <span class="u-underline">Examples</span> — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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* Elements to create
  1. Template
  2. Satellite  
  3. Boundary
  4. Paths
  5. Plants (forest garden block)
  6. Hedges
* See Survey class

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# 5. Exercises

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — Setup — Shapes — Examples — <span class="u-underline">Exercises</span> — Tips</h6>

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# CAD excercises

1. Install & setup QCAD!
2. Draw shapes
3. Draw circles
4. Modifications

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — Setup — Shapes — Examples — <span class="u-underline">Exercises</span> — Tips</h6>

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# 6. CAD tips

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — Setup — Shapes — Examples — Exercises — <span class="u-underline">Tips</span></h6>

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# Class resources

1. [Download free version](https://www.qcad.org/en/qcad-downloads-trial) of QCAD
2. [CAD files](https://github.com/growdigital/cad-gardeners) for class
3. [Garden Wild Edible](https://t.me/WildEdible) public [Telegram](https://telegram.org) group
4. [QCAD forums](https://www.qcad.org/rsforum/index.php?sid=50158f66608a5367aaf3cfb039fd6fc7)
5. [CAD Template file](https://github.com/growdigital/template)
6. [Plant spreadsheet template](https://bit.ly/template-plants)
6. [Native plant spreadsheet](https://bit.ly/garden-wild-spreadsheet)
7. [Forest garden spreadsheet](https://bit.ly/forest-garden-spreadsheet)
6. CAD blocks
  * [Forest garden plants](https://github.com/growdigital/blocks-forestgarden)
  * [Native wild plants](https://github.com/growdigital/blocks-gardenwild)
  * [Garden furniture](https://github.com/growdigital/blocks-furniture)

<h6 class="breadcrumb">CAD — Setup — Shapes — Examples — Exercises — Tips</h6>

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# The End

![Photo from above of newly planted curvey path garden, overlaid with CAD lines on path and edge](https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_420/v1580908407/class/overlay-illustration.jpg)

<hello@natureworks.org.uk>

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