gregc
Apprentice Modeler
Are most people happy with the available mouse based layout design software? I found it tedious to get things aligned and connected for what I wanted to do and didn't need the precision using flex track. (I've done circuit board routing).
I found it a bit easier to describe my layout using a text file (similar to unix pic). Starting at some specific (x,y) position, I specify a sequence of straight (length), clockwise or counter-clockwise curved (radius and angle) segments. Along the way, a position can be named, and segments continued from that position later. A switch can be overlapping straight and curved segments starting at the same point.
After editing the file, it's processed by a program that can then generate an image on the screen or a file. It's an iterative process: edit file, update image, repeat. It's easy to copy the file to work on a new version or try something out.
I feel this is more like working pencil and paper, but does require some visualization when editing the file. The result shows how much room track elements require.
here is a fragment:
see the attached imageView attachment 14317
I found it a bit easier to describe my layout using a text file (similar to unix pic). Starting at some specific (x,y) position, I specify a sequence of straight (length), clockwise or counter-clockwise curved (radius and angle) segments. Along the way, a position can be named, and segments continued from that position later. A switch can be overlapping straight and curved segments starting at the same point.
After editing the file, it's processed by a program that can then generate an image on the screen or a file. It's an iterative process: edit file, update image, repeat. It's easy to copy the file to work on a new version or try something out.
I feel this is more like working pencil and paper, but does require some visualization when editing the file. The result shows how much room track elements require.
here is a fragment:
# tunnel
color red
pos 114 21
P0:
cw 15 225
seg 3
# terminal
P1: ccw 22 30
P2: ccw 22 15
P3:
# lower siding
seg 58
from P2
seg 8
P4:
ccw 22 15
seg 50.5
from P4
seg 8
ccw 22 15
seg 44
color red
pos 114 21
P0:
cw 15 225
seg 3
# terminal
P1: ccw 22 30
P2: ccw 22 15
P3:
# lower siding
seg 58
from P2
seg 8
P4:
ccw 22 15
seg 50.5
from P4
seg 8
ccw 22 15
seg 44
see the attached imageView attachment 14317