This was posted by Kevin Strong in another topic:
What program are you all using to do stuff like this with?
By the paint splatter I’d say it’s Photoshop, Illustrator or something similar.
If you want scale drawings you start out with an accurate track planning program e.g. CADrail or AnyRail.
If you like nicely detailed scenery you can import the trackplan to a graphic program and keep at it until you really like it or run out of patience.
(http://www.rhb-grischun.ca/F-PIX/KleineRote01_Zeichnung_small.jpg)
Are those all pc programs Hans?
You can look up Xtrkcad also. It is an open source (read free or donation) program similar to the above.
I used Illustrator and Photoshop for that map. Illustrator for the track lines and basic features like buildings, the green grass (lighter colors depict higher elevation), and patio. Photoshop for the rocks and texture.
HJ, is that a CADRail drawing? That’s pretty slick!
Later,
K
@ Doug,
Yes both are Win programs. AnyRail is considerably easier to learn than a CAD program and exporting is just as easy. It also lets you export as a Collada file, which you can then use in SketchUp (3D).
@ Kevin
The track work and the structures are done in CADrail, the scenery etc. is done in COREL PhotoPaint.
By the lack of shadow you can tell it is high noon on June 21st.
I use Sketchup for my drawings. It works for both track planning, structure design, and rolling stock design. I do also like Xtrkcad as it allows you to design and build your own turnouts. The problem I’ve found with Anyrail, and Xtrkcad was that not all the large scale commercial trackage was in the database. You can get around this with Xtrkcad by designing your own turnouts, and using flex track.
With sketchup if you have already drawn up your structures you can import them easily into the trackplan. The problem with sketchup is that it’s not a trackplaning program. But if HJ is right than using AnyRail and Sketchup maybe the best of both worlds.
Craig
At this time AnyRail exports just the actual track as a Collada file, leaves you plenty of work in SketchUp.
That’s better than nothing…
HJ thats a nice looking layout. Is it a drawing of yours? How big is it?
Chuck Inlow said:
HJ thats a nice looking layout. Is it a drawing of yours? How big is it?
It’s a layout plan I did for GARTENBAHNprofi, would take 17.7 x 13m - plus the operating space around it.
Based on a freelanced portion of the RhB with an interchange to the standard gauge - crane transfer and freight shed.
It depends on what you want to use it for, an actual plan to work from, a graphic representation of your layout to publish online. I bought into cadrail early on and beyond the learning curve I found that no matter how careful I was with dimensions and layout that when the track started going down I always found better ways to do things.
I eventually ended up using an old version of Auto-sketch, a junior version of full scale Auto cad to layout boundaries and curve radius so I knew in advance that things would fit then filled in the blanks as I go. It’s hard to get a three dimensional feel of space from a two dimensional drawing.
The other thing to consider is the learning curve. I had some experience with cad programs before I got cadrail, and it still took a lot of time to get into their method of doing things. I have no experience with some of the newer cad software but at one time they all did things in a different manner so switching from one brand to another was always a push up.
Just my 2 cents worth.
I am mainly looking for something easy to use just so I can put the basics of my layout that I just built, and then play around with it by adding and moving buildings and plantings around on it.
Just something to help keep track of what I have, and what I may…or may not do with it in the future.
For a real basic program, easy to learn and reasonably priced; look at RRTrack. It does very well with sectional track, but using it for flex track can be a bit difficult. Buildings and garden features can be added, but the graphics are very basic.
I’ve used it for a long time and like it; but now I usually just get out there with a hose, figure out where I want to go and put in roadbed to match. Then I bend and lay track to match. It is very difficult in RRTrack to get an accurate representation of what I have done with random curves, etc. I have taken to using track charts rather than an actual layout plan to represent what is in the garden.
Thanks Jon, that program looks like it will be easy enough to use for my needs.
You are welcome. I think he has a crippled download version available for testing. Does everything, just can’t save. Looks like the demo version is no longer available.