Model Train Talk South Africa

Model Train Talk Workshop => Beginner Q & A => Topic started by: LooVille on December 02, 2014, 01:42:30 PM

Title: How do you Design your Layout ??
Post by: LooVille on December 02, 2014, 01:42:30 PM

Hi All.....

OK, lets see what comes from this?
This is where everything should start.

First - The Idea  :biggrin:
Then the Design....  :lamer:

So the big question.... What do you use ??

PPE ?? Pen, Paper, Eraser
3D Railroad Concept And Design for Windows
XTrkCAD Model RR Track Planner

I used AutoCad, didn't know there were software out there. Then I played with 3D Railroad. Have not tried XTrkCAD yet.

Give us your opinions, views...

Cheers, Evert

Title: Re: How do you Design your Layout ??
Post by: capeklr on December 02, 2014, 02:00:10 PM

Before the idea comes the room.
I often look at track plans in books, mags or on the net for ideas.
Rough sketch on paper.
I use an older German Wintrack program that does not do 3D yet.
With this I will play around.
Currently busy planning my layout and will post the plan up here soon for comments.
Sometimes I will not do anything for a week or two and then suddenly get an idea.
So for me planning a great layout, consider investing time in this. Don't rush.

Title: Re: How do you Design your Layout ??
Post by: renegade on December 09, 2014, 01:57:17 PM

hmmm... PPE is SO old school!  >:D

I use XTrkCAD for the track drafting and structure placement concept only.  when I actually build I place key components, and 'fill' in the rest with flex track, using the XTrkCAD drawings as guide only.   reason is that I could not be bothered to print out the layout in 1:1, consuming trees as I do.  on a small layout it is fine, but it gets quite hairy to sort it all out on a large layout.

I have also used Google Sketchup to draw the construction of modules I am building for the GFG presently...

see attachments for examples (exported from CAD to images) of both xtrkCAD and Sketchup designs...

Title: Re: How do you Design your Layout ??
Post by: BigEd on December 09, 2014, 02:21:04 PM

Nice thing of XtrkCAD...it's FREE :thumb:

Title: Re: How do you Design your Layout ??
Post by: BigEd on December 09, 2014, 02:21:30 PM

BUT the Mac version of XtrkCAD does not work :bluduh:

Title: Re: How do you Design your Layout ??
Post by: renegade on December 09, 2014, 03:14:47 PM

the problem is the MAC bit... not the XTrkCad... lol :stir:

Title: Re: How do you Design your Layout ??
Post by: BigEd on December 09, 2014, 03:37:49 PM

Quote from: renegade on December 09, 2014, 03:14:47 PM

the problem is the MAC bit... not the XTrkCad... lol :stir:

Oooooo, the gloves are gonna come off >:D

Title: Re: How do you Design your Layout ??
Post by: renegade on December 09, 2014, 08:06:01 PM

Hehehehehe

Title: Re: How do you Design your Layout ??
Post by: capeklr on December 09, 2014, 08:17:12 PM

I'm waiting, where's my popcorn?
 :stir:

Title: Re: How do you Design your Layout ??
Post by: BobB on December 09, 2014, 08:19:49 PM

I still use pencil and paper because I'm to lazy (or thick) to learn the software for something that should only occur once every few years.

I start with the size and then discard all of the grand ideas until it starts to fit (!)

Title: Re: How do you Design your Layout ??
Post by: BigEd on December 10, 2014, 08:27:59 AM

I have a real lazy way of doing it.

1. Look through websites, magazines, books at plans that strike me

2. Build a baseboard big enough to handle (by my car, garage, etc)

3. Take flex track, bend it, and chuck it down on the base board.

4. If it looks ok, pin it.

Man, I'm a bad example... >:D

Title: Re: How do you Design your Layout ??
Post by: BigEd on December 10, 2014, 08:29:06 AM

This is why the Kato Unitrack is so attractive - I don't even have to bend it which makes step 3 even shorter :biggrin:

Title: Re: How do you Design your Layout ??
Post by: BobB on December 10, 2014, 01:34:49 PM

Hi Big Ed

I've looked at Kato track and the idea seems OK but where to get it, and for what price compared to the Peco stuff I habitually end up using.

Title: Re: How do you Design your Layout ??
Post by: BigEd on December 10, 2014, 02:30:10 PM

I bought a box full last year secondhand for a song. I buy mostly from the US. And I do N scale so its smaller and cheaper to buy and ship...

eBay is a good place to buy and then there is a list Stateside I use called NScaleYardSale (a Yahoo list). I buy the bulk of my stuff there.