Based on my layout drawings posted in other threads, a couple of folks have asked about the way that I draw benchwork to leave open areas for access, such as the center of a donut-style layout. This very crude video shows a way that works well for me for 2-D track plans. Note that there are probably other techniques to accomplish this, especially if one works in 3-D.
The layout from this video is found in this thread
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/280937.aspx
3rd PlanIt site
Byron
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
That's pretty much what I did when I worked it out after your clue to use the polygon tool. I guess I didn't convey that in my text very well. When I said I went along the square room outline, I menat one side of my custom polygon did that, the other side formed the donut hole like in your video, and I ended up with an irregular openign in the center with a filled area where track would be (I literally drew it in a couple of minutes without turning on snapping so it had no track and my lines weren't exactly neat). Now I know how I cna add the fill on my own plan. I did have fascia outlines on one version, but I need to delete that layer as it no longer matches the plan. Your video does confirm I was on the right track (wait, that's different software).
I managed to make an interesting 3D element once, many years ago, when I was plannign a layout for my old house. Somewhat narrow, but the long side was 50+ feet unobstructed. I managed to come up with a nice transition from one to two levels that looked decent in the 3D view. Since then - most of my attempts to do any 3D have turned out much less than awesome, so I've been sticking to 2D, except when just building something with wood, like my workbench. It was all wood line types, and that I was able to tilt up and make into a convincing rendering of what it actually ended up looking like. But the terrain and meshes - forget it.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Agree. 3rd PlanIt's 3-D features are powerful, but I just found that it took so much of my time that it wasn't practical in designing layouts for others.
We are both using 3rd PlanIt.
I THINK I can still do 3D CAD, I installed one to see how easily I can learn it, if it goes well, I may buy a 3D printer. I learned a LONG time ago (30+ years) on a program called CADKEY (now KeyCreator - amazing it's still around). It's what we went with at the machine shop I worked at, and as the "computer guy" in addition to all the other stuff I did (I was hired as an electrical engineer), they sent me to school along with the drafting department so I could support them. At the time, it was the ONLY PC-based 3D CAD - AutoCAD was way behind in implementing 3D.
Doing #D in 3rd PlanIt - well, for SOME things it behaves like a more generic CAD program, which is how I made 3D renderings of my benchwork and my workbench I built. But it ALSO has a 'mesh' system to create terrain so in addition to drawing your track plan (complete with grade changes - so when a track crosses over another, you can actually put in a bridge and then view it in 3D), you can add rolling hills, or mountains, or whatever you want, to render the entire layout. You can do stuff like this:
from an old plan of mine, scenic treatment of where the main went over the tracks leading to staging.
Or this rendering of my donut from 2 layouts ago:
And then when in the 3D view you can also put trains on the track and actually operate the layout.
Hi Byron,
Thanks for the reminder. It has been a while since I played with that aspect of 3rdPlanIt. It is a pretty amazing program!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Well, how to draw it, using a certain program, is all well and good, if that's what your into.
I'd be building the benchwork around the wall, with the center open, and tweeking any corners I needed to, to fit the track layout.
I mean, drawing it is fine, but I would be doing it full scale, as I built the bench.
Using that program to me, seems like your going to cover the entire room with plywood bench, and THEN go in and cut it out?
Mike.
My You Tube
mbinsewiUsing that program to me, seems like your going to cover the entire room with plywood bench, and THEN go in and cut it out?
Why would anyone do that? CAD is a drawing tool, not a plywood-cutting tool.
cuyamaWhy would anyone do that? CAD is a drawing tool, not a plywood-cutting tool.
I know Byron. I'm not knocking drawing programs. And I do understand what you are explaining, for others, that use a drawing program.
Please, design away! I like the ideas you come up with.
The drawing method may be link you are using a big sheet of plywood and then cutting a hole out, but the intent is to simply put something under the track so it looks nicer than lines on a grid. It's not indicitive of the actual construction method for the layout being shown. My version doesn;t have that, I'm 2 versions behind the most current, and a version behind when that feature was added. But I have no plans to do something like that.
Actually, something the newer versions of 3rd PlanIt have is the capability to generate templates for a laser cutter to cut subroadbed. Thing sort of like Fast Tracks Sweep Sticks but larger solid pieces instead of short little sections like sectional track.
rrinkerActually, something the newer versions of 3rd PlanIt have is the capability to generate templates for a laser cutter to cut subroadbed.
Funny you should mention that. Randy (El Dorado Software) cut my subroadbed yesterday! It's kind of pricey, but with my disability, I can't deal with sheets of plywood. It should really streamline my construction since he also puts track centerlines, including easements, on the pieces.
I have the right to remain silent. By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.
Thanks Mel. Once again, I'm not knocking drawing programs at all ! I've used a couple of architectual and landcape programs before, and I think they are great.
I would actually like to get back into something, just to "play"with.
rrinkerI learned a LONG time ago (30+ years) on a program called CADKEY
Wow, does that bring back memories! CADKEY in DOS, keyboard with function keys in 2 columns on the left - dang, I was good with that! I think I used the CREATE-LINE-PERP/PARALLEL-PARALLEL-SIDE & DISTANCE so repetatively that the keystroke sequence is (almost) burned into the back of my brain. A lot of F1's and F3's, as I remember.
Agree with Mel, CAD is just another tool. Use what you know, model RR specific or not. I use MasterCAM (yes, CAM, but just use the CAD functions) for a lot of design work around the house, and for trackwork and benchwork planning.
Ed
Yeah - I got it to run on my computer at home, which at the time was an 8MHz XT clone with a VGA card. It used a dongle to license it but the code was very simplistic, I just patched it to make it think the dongle was there. But I ended up using a different program for a while, mostly for track planning - PC Draft-CAD.
AT work, they got all new PS-2 systems, Model 50's for the draftsmen I think, and the CAM guy got a Model 80, which was also used as the server for the somewhat experimental shop floor system that got installed - these hardened terminals with membrane keys and like 2 line LCDs that hooke to each machine tool via serial port, and also back to the main computer via serial port/ It replaced paper tape. That company is still around, but their current products are all ethernet based, none of this serial stuff. And all the newer machines seem to run embedded Windows so they can take files right off the network now.