Jim, I know what you mean. At one time I had my track plan completely done in Soliworks with all the bells and whistles. Accurate turnouts, double lines plus a centerline representing the track, 3D structures, etc. all done full size, 1:1. Since everything was accurately dimensioned and "resolved", the file became so bogged down with calculations every time I changed the littlest thing that I never wanted to change anything. It might just as well have been in plywood. I finally deleted everything but single track centerlines. Having said that, It's fantastic to be able to change track spacing in a yard by .090" and immediately see the results. I've been often disappointed on paper, but never in plywood. At least not since my first HO layout on a piece of 4 x 8 plywood around 1960. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. Ed Kozlowsky Sanford, Maine www.SScale.org
>________________________________ > From: SMMW <[email protected]> >To: [email protected] >Sent: Sunday, February 12, 2012 1:44 PM >Subject: {S-Scale List} Re: FNF - Doing trackplans > > > > >Ed, > >Considering that I make my living using 3D CAD, it’s very ironic that I prefer >creating trackplans using templates and pencil on a grid. I did lay out my >room grid in Solidworks, including doorways, a closet and 2 windows, but >actual benchwork profiles and track lines, with structures, are done “the old >way”. I have tried creating CAD layout drawings but find it can be less >flexible than “fudging” with a pencil. When the trackplan is “done”, I redraw >the basics in CAD to verify tangent points, transitions, etc. … but I like the >fast flexibility of moving around a track template as I mentally design a >layout. > >Jim King >Smoky Mountain Model Works, Inc. >Ph. (828) 777-5619 ><www.smokymountainmodelworks.com> > > > >
