Edit post

Edit your reply below.

Post Body
Enter your post below.
I use 3rd Planit. I think it is very powerful. It has not been easy to learn how to make sophisticated alignments but they can be done. It will allow you to plan benchwork, terrain, or anything else you have the patience to learn how to draw. The greatest benifit of using special RR CADD programs is that the good ones include libraries of track components and have "intelligence" in that track components must connect together properly. For example, if you draw a ladder track and some body tracks, you can drag the whole thing over to another track and when it snaps to the end of that piece, the whole thing automatically rotates so there are no kinks in the alignment. Less sophisticated programs don't serve you well if you design a plan with kinks or somethig else that can't be built. Another example in 3rd Planit, it will check all your grades and curves to make sure you haven't violated required clearances or made the curve radii too tight. <br /> <br />I also "doodle" at work using Microstation testing out some ideas before coming home. If you are willing to create the track components, there is nothing you can't do in Microstation. It is the most powerful CADD program I have ever used. I have very little first hand knowledge of Autocad but we use it in our office. <br /> <br />Good Luck - Ed
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag

Update Reply

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Model Railroader Newsletter See all

Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!

Subscriber & Member Login

Edit post

Post Body

Tags (Optional)

Subscriber & Member Login

Users Online

Search the Community