Not to start a Ford Vs. Chevy mess here, but which layout planning software would be the easiest to use for those of us that aren’t very good with computers ? I’m trying to draw up a new plan for an Ho empire , but just can’t seem to get anywhere doing it on paper. I know that I want an around the wall shelf type plan with a helix, so I can have two decks. Computer has windows xp. Any thoughts on software You have used ,would be helpful. Thanks in advance. Randy…
None of the fully-featured layout design programs are “easy to use” in any normal person’s defintion of the phrase. If you are only designing one layout for yourself, I’m not sure the investment of time to learn any of the programs is worth it. Although it’s somewhat out of date now, I wrote a bit about the different model railroad CAD programs on my website. After owning both CADRail and 3rd PlanIt, I ended up with 3rd PlanIt for the long term because the user interface suits me a little better. But both are fine, and XTrkCAD is not far behind (for the basics, at least).
In my experience, if you can’t at least get started with ideas on paper, a CAD program may not help that much. It’s really just a precision drafting tool – it doesn’t generate layout ideas or catch conceptual mistakes. IMHO, most people designing one layout for themselves would be far better off investing the time in learning about layout design principles from sources such as John Armstong’s book Track Planning for Realistic Operation rather than learning CAD.
Th
But then there will be those making scores of different plans for their “one” layout. Thus, the software is quite useful to them, if they ever do come up with “the” plan.
Myself, I’ve tried 3rdPlanIt but the learning curve is too steep. I just can’t make some turnouts “do” right. I am better using graph paper, compass, straightedge, pencil and erasure. I’ve found that penciled sketches employing those tools and then using full-scale track mock-ups and structure footprints, particuarly at complex or space-critical areas of the planned layout to make sure things fit, is best for me.
Mark
Of course, if you want to get your track plan published, I think you’ll have an advantage if you submit one software-designed. In the past Model Railroader had artists who would “pretty-up” a penciled plan with terrain and other scenic effects. Now I suppose it is easier/cheaper for them using a plan prepared using software.
Mark
Byron,thanks for the reply. I have used Johns’ book for many years . I thought using a program might be easier in the long run, to keep like You said from cheating on the to angles & such. Proposed layout size is 45’ x 28’ . A layout this size will no doubt be a huge investment in all aspects, so maybe learning how to use the cad would be worth the effort. With the cad I assume I can put in the size available & then juggle the peninsulas to optimize space ?
Mark,I have no desire to publish anything. I don’t know what the cads capabilities are. In the past I felt so computer illiterate I didn’t even bother to look at articles about them. I’m at a point in My life when I feel I’ve got time to build one last layout(this will be # 6) & want to plan it out better than I did in the past. I’ve been doing research on the RR’s in this area (central Mo.) & want an operations based layout. Although a “what if” scenario ,based on prototypes ,it will be a freelanced Road that will operate as a real road would. To Me this means point to point,a long single track main,two decks & of course a helix. Maybe the pencil & paper would be easier, but perhaps,not better .
Actually, it seems to be sort of the opposite, in a way. So far, the Kalmbach artists have always re-rendered my 3rd PlanIt track plans. I believe they use Adobe Illustrator. I provide the track plans in mulitple file formats and it may be that they can use one of them as a basis, I don’t know. Iain Rice, who also had a design article in MRP 2009, does his appealing trackplans in pen-and-watercolors. Kalmbach usually uses his plans in that form, without redrawing digitally.
Sounds like we’re at the same stage of life, but I’m a bit ahead on “the” plan:
http://vps2642.inmotionhosting.com/~modelr5/node/616#comments
Mark
Perhaps not as smoothly as you would like, unfortunately. There is no “rubber-banding” in any of the currently available products that would allow you to move a chunk of layout around the space and automatically reconnect the elements to the rest of the layout. I wish there was, it would probably save 30-40% of the time I spend on a plan.
Instead, choosing the footprint is a fairly manual process. I’ve been working with CAD long enough now that it’s faster for me than paper-and-pencil sketching, but Armstrong’s “Squares” disciplined sketching technique is also pretty helpful in looking at layout footprints.
Byron
Model RR Blog
Thanks Byron, It’s back to the pencil & paper then. By the time I learned the cad, I’d proaboly be too old to build anything ,anyway. You answered My question about the limitations about the cad. & I looked at Your site, thanks . Mark,careful you’ll get us in trouble!
My layout is 60’ x 30’, multiple levels/decks, multiple peninsulas, many staging both open and hidden, branchlines, shortlines, etc. I used 3rd Plan It for the design, learning curve was actually not too bad once you really get into it. All of them have a free demo program to show how they work, I’d suggest trying each to see which feels best. Doing things like switches, just click and drag/drop them into place. There is a good free one on the net - XtrkCad which is pretty good.
Good luck, let us know how it comes out.
When I was planning my layout, I just got graphic paper and used that for my layout, using a 1 square = 1 inch method of drawing my layout sections. I then drew on the track and then cut out and taped together the pieces (sections) to get an overall look at my (then) future layout.
Since then, I’ve used a combination of Paint and Photoshop to draw up the individual layout sections for my site (see diagram at http://chatanuga.org/WLMRnew.html ).
Kevin
Hey Randy,
I just am learning to use XTrkCad.
It does take a bit of getting used to, and no way near knowing about all the uses… but here is what I’ve messed around with. I like being able to save different ideas. Look at many diffenet options…