09-21-2009, 11:16 AM
This is an interesting experience for me. I learned "layout planning" before "the day of software". Quite honestly, I'm very happy I didn't have Computer Aided Design, as a layout planning tool. Too frustrating for my tired old brain.
That said though, how about printing out your plan (just the track) full size and then lay the paper trackwork down. Any places where it looks like there's going to be a problem, you can adjust the paper track to make the correction, and then go back to the program and make the required changes, re-print, and re-lay those changes. Once everything fits and flows, you can glue the paper down, and then fasten the real track down on the paper, and hide the paper under the ballast.
The beauty of that process, is that when later on you want to make a change in the layout to compensate for a new industry, or change of scene, you can use the process for the new track/area track plan.
I choose not to use CAD ( I can and do for some things, as in my "new modules" thread ), but I can see where someone else could use it to great advantage. CAD is a tool, that must be wielded with skill, it's not an answer.
Just a thought.
That said though, how about printing out your plan (just the track) full size and then lay the paper trackwork down. Any places where it looks like there's going to be a problem, you can adjust the paper track to make the correction, and then go back to the program and make the required changes, re-print, and re-lay those changes. Once everything fits and flows, you can glue the paper down, and then fasten the real track down on the paper, and hide the paper under the ballast.
The beauty of that process, is that when later on you want to make a change in the layout to compensate for a new industry, or change of scene, you can use the process for the new track/area track plan.
I choose not to use CAD ( I can and do for some things, as in my "new modules" thread ), but I can see where someone else could use it to great advantage. CAD is a tool, that must be wielded with skill, it's not an answer.
Just a thought.
We always learn far more from our own mistakes, than we will ever learn from another's advice.
The greatest place to live life, is on the sharp leading edge of a learning curve.
Lead me not into temptation.....I can find it myself!
The greatest place to live life, is on the sharp leading edge of a learning curve.
Lead me not into temptation.....I can find it myself!