Water Gardening Design Software

[WaterWerks Design]

Hello, I've been debating on using some sorta of design program to sell more pond install jobs...I've been searching the web for a couple products, but I want to know if anyone has an experience with a good design software that offers a comprehensive water gardening feature design, without spending a fortune..thanks

[papercutter]

The tough thing about ponds is that they never come out like the drawing, so the looser the better. The last thing you want is finishing an awesome-looking water feature and the homeowner says "it's nice, but I liked the way the rocks looked better in the picture you showed me. I want different rocks."

Are you mostly looking for something that will give you presentation drawings? Do you have any familiarity with SketchUp and Photoshop?

[Tadpole]

Papercutter makes a good point. It would be advisable to put a disclaimer on any computer rendered drawing stating that the finished project may not look like the rendering.
I use ProLandscape, but I have had to add my own Rock and Plant images along with Water Textures and water flow images. I don't believe that there is a design program available that allows for the flexibility and variety needed for Water Features, especially Ponds.

[dave.c]

Yeah, people tend to see the design and then when it won't come out like what the software showed them, you'll have a problem. I have lot's of experience with Photoshop and can tell you that I really don't think it'll come out the same - how would you calculate different aspects of something so alive as a pond?...