Hi Trevor
Paul has a wide choice presented so can make a fair decision I'd think... on a layout design programme, NOT a track design programme. Those offered are anything from exxy to low cost, sophisticated to basic set track planning.
What motivated mention of Templot is that terminology matters if advice is to be accurate:
Paul asked for but didn't actually want a track planning software programme at all - A track planning programme is for designing track to specific standards and rail/wheel relationships and Templot most definately isn't a hammer to crack a nut for that purpose - it is I think the ONLY competent purpose designed model turnout and track creation software available.
For example, If I was in N like you.... if I wished I could specify my standards and templot would make the turnouts reflect them - so I could do 2mm scale fine or N scale standard pointwork OR specify a GWR practice type turnout or an LMS one just by presetting a few parameters. I could also specify Peco standards if that was my choice! Same for any scale/gauge/rail/wheel relationship on the planet!
Anyway, I'm waffling....
What Paul wanted is a
layout planning programme which would show him where to plonk off the shelf track.
I also noted that he wanted a 3d capable onelayout planning package, which is why I recommended 3d Plain it - it is not only able to design the layout as he wanted using RTR track libraries but also can provide much more, including a wood / materials cut list for the baseboard to go with it!
I can vouch for its accuracy as a good friend who is a chronic computer user designed his whole layout and baseboard with it, and it went together like a high quality kit - everything exactly as the software said it would be, down to the last bit of wood and the correct position for every baseboard rib so it missed the point motors!
Its all in the perspective and what the modeller aspires to or wants...
The truth is there are many programmes that will design a really nice train-set using out of the box pointwork but very few which will design a decent model of a railway with track that follows prototype practice... and I happen to like my track accurate.
(Which before someone mumbles about rivet counting, no it isn't - it is no more right or wrong than others wanting their loco's details numbers or colours to be accurate...
). We all go our own way as we want in this hobby.
There is no judgemental component in my comments above as this hobby is a personal choice for everyone in many areas and all are equally OK... Personally I simply see no value in nice scenery or perfectly weathered accurate loco's etc if the track is way off accuracy wise. It's a bit like a beautiful woman wearing a revealing gown and muddy wellies... just not right somehow
And... I must say I also tend to agree with Frame69 in many ways... if its simply a layout to be designed using standard off the shelf track, then there's also very little wrong with some millimetre based graph paper and a compass - I use them often for concept planning.
The hardest thing with them is not trying to fool yourself about what will fit and what won't - a pencil usually has little discipline, and a squeeze of the compass while the conscience isn't looking is all too easy!
As to which is the best choice for Paul its up to his aspiration above all... What is certainly true is that the more competent and clever the software is, the longer the learning curve will be, the harder it will be to use and the dearer it will get, so defining want and need early is important!
NO competent design programme is a 5 minute learning curve. Life isn't that easy in the world of computers
****Hi Doddsy. You'll get there, its all about the right keystroke habits
Best advice I can give you is really work through the video tutorials and don't try to anticipate things - follow them step by step. The programme is absolutely brilliant and all it needs is your "eureka" moment and you will be away.
regards
Richard
QUOTE (Expat @ 12 Feb 2009, 14:24)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi Richard & Doddsy,
While I have no doubts as to the excellence of Templot it does seem something of a sledgehammer to crack a nut and is, by all accounts, not particularly user friendly.
I believe all most people want is an intuitive programme which will,
using standard track parts, provide an accurate representation of their intended layout. As with Templot, Winrail has the ability to print out full size drawings which can be laid down on the baseboard and used as a template for track laying. Similarly, as with XtrkCad, it has a 'benchwork' tool. Incidentally, it also has the ability to generate the layout design as a jpeg file which is useful for placing postings here.
Dave.
I did warn you what was likely to happen in the way of responses and all I can recommend is to try several programmes and decide which best suits your needs.
