Layout design Q's

[Paul60]

Hi,

I have tried both AnyRail & SCARM. Hmmm.

Wouldn't it be great if you could simply draw a layout on the work area freehand, (with your mouse as a pencil), then have the software convert that simple drawn line to track.?

Is there a track desginer that can do this ?

I am having difficulty getting my almost finished track layouts to meet up.

Being able to simply draw the track freehand would result in some very imaginative layouts.

The software could gently nudge you if curves are too tight or other errors and suggest track pieces to suit.

Or am I getting into the realms of fantasy here ?

Cheers.

 

[choralc]

 A piece of flex-track can do wonders (so long as you don't ask it to make too tight a radius)!

[Paul60]

 I have the latest version of AnyRail, but I can't find any Hornby Flextrack. I've looked through the track library.

I'll keep playing around and experimenting.

It seems there are many ways to create the exact same layout using varying combinations of different lengths & curves.

Is there a 'golden rule' I'm missing ?

[NormanQ4]

I don't quite understand what your problem is with Scarm.

It has flexitrack from both Hornby and Peco and perhaps others in its library.

It creates a list of all the parts you will need.

Tells you the radius of the curves you've created and the length of that actual piece of track.

Unfortunately it wont make you a cup of tea.

Use the link below and you will see the layout that I am about to create although I have made some alterations since posting this Scarm picture.

https://www.hornby.com/uk-en/forum/user/index/id/604440/?p=4

[Yelrow]

I dont think you need any fancy software. If you have made a layout, that does not quite join up, its probably fine. All you need is a tape measure, a piece of flexi track, and a track cutter. Measure it, cut it fit it. Fairly often, you need a rail slightly longer or shorter than standard. Much more satisfying to do it yourself.. Assuming this works, push a coach round, or try a loco, before pinning down. john

[westernwill]

 I tried several design packages but settled for SCARM which I found easy to use and quite flexible. As Norman says it has flextrack in the library and it does work. the 3D view is also useful for envisaging how something will look.

I have used it extensively for my OO and N gauge layouts very successfully.

As with any design package, that is all it is, a design package, and it cannot be 100% accurate but it's pretty close.

I think it is an excellent package especially as it's free.

[37lover]

Paul,

I used Anyrail in the past and it had flexitrack then. I've just downloaded the latest copy and it's still included, the second track item on the list! R8090.

[Paul60]

 Thanks chaps,

I don't like using computers if I can help it.

I'm not after a complicated layout. Just a really long loop or even an end to end setup so I can avoid the 'toy train' look and let my locos really hit some speed.

I'll keep plodding on. I basically just want a stretched oval with just enough going on inside the loop to make it interesting. Something like the Hornby setup but stretched to 10ft.

[Paul60]

Paul,

I used Anyrail in the past and it had flexitrack then. I've just downloaded the latest copy and it's still included, the second track item on the list! R8090.

 

Aha! Thanks 37lover,

I was looking for something labeled Flex-Track

Now I am onto something.

Cheers!

 

 

[96RAF]

Couple of things in response:

 

SCARM has both flexi and semi-flexi track in the Hornby 00 library and there is a noticable difference between them in the way the auto-curve to fit feature works.

 

Also in SCARM according to the 'book' you can import a jpeg as a background picture and use it as a 'template' to build your plan over using the proper track bits. So you could scratch out your hand drawn plan on a bit of paper, scan it in or photograph it and use that or use another trackplan from a book.

[Paul60]

 Thanks RAF96,

That sounds interesting. I'll look at that too.

Cheers :)

[walkingthedog]

Sketch what you want on a piece of paper. Get a selection of track and Flexi track and start laying it. Change things as you go along. 

[PJ_model_trains]

 As many have said, SCARM is brilliant and Free.

 

I have designed several layouts with it, the flexi ttrackk option is brilliant you just have to watch your curves are not to tight, an easy way to check is add some small sections of radius 4,3,2 to test then remove them and add the flexi track. You can even colour code your track, maybe for blocks, reverse loops, or other reasons as your are planning the sections, and as RAF96 says, yes you can also export the layout, as a bmp or jpg file.

 

Excellent software for the price!

It would be excellent at a cost but as stated it is Free.

[PJ_model_trains]

Sketch what you want on a piece of paper. Get a selection of track and Flexi track and start laying it. Change things as you go along. 

Good advice WTD

But I would suggest a person makes a template of curves 4,3,2 if not all, definately the 2nd radius curve to make sure you don't go tighter than this.

 

[Paul60]

 Can I mix Peco Flex Track with Hornby Track ?

[Yelrow]

Paul Yes, even jouef, and lima, although many prefer the former. I have all those  mixed. john, plus mehano flexi.

[StephenD]

I have designed several layouts with it, the flexi ttrackk option is brilliant you just have to watch your curves are not to tight, an easy way to check is add some small sections of radius 4,3,2 to test then remove them and add the flexi track. You can even colour code your track, maybe for blocks, reverse loops, or other reasons as your are planning the sections, and as RAF96 says, yes you can also export the layout, as a bmp or jpg file.

I'm not trying to get anybody to opt for Anyrail rather than SCARM, but as the OP has already stated that he has Anyrail, I think I should point out that it does provide facilites for colour coding sections of track and for exporting the layout as a bmp, jpg, png or gif, in addition to other formats.

More importantly (IMO), it allows the user to specify the minimum radius of curves.  It won't reject track with tighter radii but will highlight the fact.  So, no need to add "small sections of radius 4,3,2 to test then remove them and add the flexi track".

Stephen

[walkingthedog]

Sketch what you want on a piece of paper. Get a selection of track and Flexi track and start laying it. Change things as you go along. 

Good advice WTD

But I would suggest a person makes a template of curves 4,3,2 if not all, definately the 2nd radius curve to make sure you don't go tighter than this.

 

I didn't use templates. I bought some 3rd and 4th rad curves and Flexi to see what would go where. I knew I'd use them somewhere. You have to buy track so get on with it. No point in using templates except for points but I already had loads of them.  

[malB]

Indeed when it comes to mixing and matching track the majority of makers/suppliers now make theirs compatible with everyone elses'.For instance yesterday [sat. 19/3] I bought a couple of left hand "set track" Bachmann points and it says quite clearly on the packaging that it's compatible with other makers. What's more I have quite an assortment of track for the little layout I'm planning from Hornby, Peco, now Bachmann and even a cople of Hornby Dublo [made by Meccano] brass railed curves which must be 50 plus years old!

[StephenD]

I used Anyrail in the past and it had flexitrack then. I've just downloaded the latest copy and it's still included, the second track item on the list! R8090.

 I've just found out from the Hornby online shop that R8090 is the semi-flexi track whereas R621 is the 'ordinary' flexi track.  Both are available on Anyrail (and, I gather, SCARM).

 

Stephen

[Fishmanoz]

Don't know about SCARM as I've never used it but Anyrail does a great job with flexitrack allowing you to adjust it easily to make smooth curves, telling you if it is kinked with overly tight curves at any point and featuring easement designs to transition between straights and curves.  Clearly only for those with an eye for detail design, not those who get great results with the plonk it down and connect it up approach.

 

Not aware of being able to put sketches behind it, that sounds like a good feature.

[Paul60]

 Thanks to all who replied.

Now I have figured out where the Flexi Track options are in AnyRail & SCARM I am on my way.

Cheers,

Paul.