System Requirements
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| 1GHz CPU | 2GHz CPU |
| 512MB System RAM | 2GB System RAM |
| Video Card with 128MB of video memory | Video Card with 512MB of video memory |
| Windows 7, Vista, or XP |
| Mouse, Laptop Touchpad, or other pointing device |
Uncertain whether your computer meets the requirements, or want more details? Click a requirement below to learn more:
 CPU
About: The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the most important part of any computer. The CPU could be referred to as the "core" or "brain" of the computer, but is only about two inches in size.
Speed: The speed of the CPU is measured in gigahertz (GHz), which will be clearly expressed in the system's sales literature. For example, a laptop would be advertized as a "3.2GHz Notebook". To detect the speed of your CPU, simply open the Control Panel in Windows and open "System".
Upgrading: The CPUs of both desktop and laptop computers can be upgraded, though it is not common to upgrade laptop CPUs. While upgrading the CPU of desktop computers is a simple and quick process, the actual upgrade should be done by someone with experience due to the delicate nature of the CPU.
Multi-Core: Modern CPUs will often have two or more "cores". What this means is that there are actually multiple CPUs embedded in one chip, providing you with greater speed when running multiple programs at once. For example, one of the cores could dedicate itself to 3D landscape design software.
 RAM
About: RAM (Random Access Memory), also called "system memory" or just "memory", is used by the computer to store data for short periods of time. RAM is often confused with the "Hard Drive", which is considered permanent storage - which is to say the files are not deleted unless you delete them. RAM is sold in thin sticks that are about six inches long.
Speed: The main factor that determines the power of the RAM is the amount of storage the RAM can hold at one time, measured in gigabytes (GB). Having enough amount of RAM is important to the speed of your landscape design software and other programs and applications. To detect the amount of your RAM, simply open the Control Panel in Windows and open "System".
Upgrading: The RAM is likely the most commonly upgraded component for both desktops and laptops because of its small size, how easy it is to replace, and its low price. When choosing which type of RAM to buy, consult your computer manual for the right speed and type of RAM to purchase. Note that computers running Windows XP will only support up to 4GB of RAM.
 Video Card
About: The Video Card is the most important component for running modern 3D software, because it is much better at processing 3D images than the CPU. The Video Card is either integrated into the motherboard of the computer, or is a removable card as shown in the picture to the left.
Speed: There are many different factors that affect the speed and power of the Video Card, but two of the most tangible factors are the video memory and the supported version of DirectX. Our software requires a video card that is compatible with DirectX9 or higher. The video memory is very similar to RAM, but is dedicated to Video Card tasks such as rendering 3D houses.
Upgrading: The Video Card is likely the second most often upgraded component, especially for 3D game players and CAD professionals. Unfortunately, there is no simple way to upgrade the Video Card of a laptop at this time. For desktop computers there are three different types of Video Cards (PCI, AGP, or PCI Express), so it is recommended to consult your computer manual to ensure you purchase the correct type for your system. Please let us know if you would like help in choosing a Video Card upgrade. For more details on video cards and software compatibility, see Quality and Compatibility.
 Windows
About: Windows is an operating system that was developed by Microsoft, and serves as an interface to your programs and applications. The three versions of Windows that are widely used today are Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7.
Upgrading: The version of Windows can be upgraded on most computers, but before doing so it is very important to back up all of your important files to another hard drive, USB drive, or DVD.
Macintosh: Currently our software is only supported on PCs running Windows, but some of our users have had success running our software on a Mac using Boot Camp or Parallels. If you are using Boot Camp or Parallels and would like to see if our software is compatible with your system, please request a trial version of the product of your choice at Support@IdeaSpectrum.com.
 Mouse
About: A Mouse is simply one example of a pointing device. Any pointing device that is compatible with Windows will function with our landscape design software.
Pointing Devices: Some examples of pointing devices include laptop touchpads, trackballs, mice, touchscreen monitors, certain joysticks, and even motion-tracking mouse alternatives.
Recommended: While the pointing device you choose is ultimately a matter of personal preference, we highly recommend using a basic 2-button mouse with a mousewheel, similar to the one pictured to the left. There are several intuitive shortcuts in our landscaping software that make the design process even easier when using a mouse.
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