Notes on Design F/X from the CEO (2020)

We are making a change to our Design F/X license to delineate its capabilities and future development versus Planting F/X. Specifically, the F/X Site ribbon will now be part of Planting F/X rather than Design F/X. Keep in mind that much of this change is just minor reshuffling, as we are also duplicating many of the capabilities from the Site ribbon and keeping them available for Design F/X users by adding them to the Details and Admin ribbons. Our goal is to establish a clear definition of exactly what each product is. It doesn’t make sense to include a "Site" ribbon with Design F/X, as our site tools appeal almost exclusively to landscape architects.

Therefore, our driving motivation is to brand Design F/X as "CAD Tools and Details," with Planting F/X branded as "Planting with Site Tools." Among the numerous advantages of this differentiation is the ability to continue adding many more manufacturers' site amenity products and making them available from the Site ribbon, as well as conceptual graphics and other tools that have incredible value to landscape architecture but not to any other discipline.

I realize many of you have been utilizing Design F/X licenses for everything they are capable of doing, which includes hardscape plans and conceptual graphics from the Site ribbon. But I think you will agree that this decision makes the best sense for all parties. For our sales team, it will be easier to identify which licenses appeal to various offices. For scheduling webinars, preparing trade show content, and coordinating with our usage technicians, simplifying the distinction between licenses will be a great help, translating into improved educational resources, more effective tech support, and overall clearer communication about our software and its capabilities.

At its simplest, the breakdown can be as follows:

• Planting F/X is for landscape architects.
• Design F/X is for architects, as well as civil, structural, and other engineers.

From this perspective, I hope you will agree that doing away with the need to explain why Design F/X includes a Site ribbon will streamline everything from marketing to sales to tech support on our end, which means even better service and resources for you, our users.

For those of you with Design F/X licenses who have been happily using them in the creation of hardscape, site, and concept plans, we are happy to upgrade your licenses to Planting F/X licenses for free.

And meanwhile, those of you in multidiscipline offices should have an easier time extolling the virtues of Land F/X to your associates, who can now benefit from a Design F/X product more closely associated with their needs. Thank you for your understanding.

Jeremiah Farmer

CEO, Land F/X