Illustrated Layout Plan Software

What are trying to do?

Do you want a photo of the layout as a background image for the track plan on the control panel?

Poor taste or not, post an example or a link to it.

I was able to find an image that doesn't appear to be copyrighted. This is what I am looking for, however the layout is 40'x40' and the panel is 3'x4' with the corners clipped a bit.

I will also be adding toggle switches and indicator lights for the blocks over top of the image.

This is the AutoCAD line drawing I currently have. The dots are indications of toggle locations and turnout controls. I am reconsidering the turnout controls as I think it is making the panel too cluttered and would be more affective near the turnout location.

The red and black lines are on the lower level and the blue line is elevated about 10".

The green lines are yards and sidings and can be on either the upper or lower level.

The double arrows connect to other yards and industries that have their own separate control panels.

The detail generated like that example would be something like an artistic software, Adobe Illustrator, for example. Touch pad and pen input - artist work.

Train layout software doesn't get close to that. Yes, one can create top down views with objects, but the output isn't that nice. I believe that you could export a file type that would import into a photo or image design product. The train layout software can't really import many file types.

I think the panel looks great for a Master panel. I could see bi-color LEDs and micro-toggles or touch-pad on it without crowding.

Local panels may be helpful on a layout of that size.

I am on the fence about the scenic detail. Perhaps it would work in full size.

Shoot an email to the OGR editor and inquire about what software the pros use to create those images.

I sent the link to this post to someone that can help you. Have you been contacted yet?

Good Morning,

Carl pointed me to you post. I believe I can help. 

I have sent you a email it will be easier to figure out what exactly you want off line and then  we can post once we start getting mockups so others can see what you are doing.  Hope to hear form you soon.  If you can render me out a Adobe PDF of your drawing and a track plan if you have one. 

I like that you have a render of the control panel on the control panel. lol

Bob 

Thank you Carl, I really appreciate your input and communication with Bob to get involved to help with this project.

This is the completed panel enclosure (maybe another coat of poly yet). I just set a printed paper copy of the plan on it last night to see what it looked like.  

This is the scenery in the area behind the panel. The panel will be installed where the fan is at in this picture. I hope to get the enclosure installed this weekend.

I am thinking about using illuminated toggle switches for the block controls to reduce clutter and bicolor led indicator lights at the remote turnouts. I think the turnout activation buttons will be at the location of the turnout.  

Bob, I sent you an email yesterday and still owe you some pictures and locations of building and scenic features. The render is actually layered down 5 times, but you really cant see it past 3. I think the render of the panel on the panel looks nice, however it is dual purpose because the diagram is rotated 90° in regards to where you are actually standing in the layout. I hope it helps with keeping others from being disoriented while operating the trains.

Carl & Bob, thank you both for your help this far.

Because the end product will look very nice, I would be tempted to put the Transformer/toggle controls on sub-panels close to area where the item is located.

Running in command/remote and having only bi-color leds on the dots would be a great visual feedback for layout status.

I guess I am too modern and don't appreciate conventional operation.

Give the customer/club what they want.

Get some files to Bob so he can give you a quick mock-up to determine if you'll like the effect. It will take some time to make it pretty. Serendipity - I just happened to be speaking with him about other projects and asked him about how to accomplish the look like the magazine and book plans.

I have really been thinking about your recommendation regarding simplifying the panel. The biggest challenge is the block controls. We need to be able to control each block section of track (50 total blocks) to space trains so we can run multiple trains per loop. I think the best solution would be a latching illuminated push button spst switch; however I am having trouble finding a small size - preferably 3/8" to 1/2" max diameter as not to detract from the panel. (Bi color leds in a spdt latching push button would be outstanding, but I doubt they are even made, let alone affordable)

I was planning a shelf to sit in front of the panel that would hold our 3 ZW's. The volt/amp meters on the bottom of the panel would then sit directly above them. I am now considering moving the shelf with the ZW's below the panel and moving the meters off the panel and keeping them near the transformers. This would reduce clutter and allow easier reach of the controls at the top of the panel by reducing depth. I would appreciate other peoples thoughts on this.

At one point I had conventional, DCS, TMCC, & legacy all hooked up on this layout. However, our club has more members that prefer hand controls to digital controls and many could not understand which system to use and how they all worked. Inevitably someone would try to run a DCS engine with TMCC or turn full power to conventional locos. I even wrote detailed instructions for each... but after one or two engines had to go in for repairs this had to change. We now have the ZW handles and tmcc controllers with powermasters and tpc's. It's not fancy, but it is reliable, and the trains always run during the open houses.

I am sure the club will be ok with whatever I come up with; and I do appreciate additional thoughts.

eBay has Asian suppliers for at least 8 relay boards that run on 12 volts. I have regular micro-toggles that fit into the roadbed of FasTrack. it's less than a 3/8" hole with about a 1/2" lever. Just have to figure out how to drive the bi-color LED's.

or check out berrett hill shop - cool stuff - low voltage to run relays to control track power or whatever.

member Joey ricard's video.

Those touch toggles look amazing; I think they would be the perfect solution. I am just not sure if I can justify the $1000+ for 50 relays and 20 servos and odds and ends when I have enough parts on hand to do it the old school way (spst toggles and indicator lights). But then again, I am trying to do something different here and feel it is the perfect fit... I see on the website that this could be compatible with Arduino witch could possibly allow my to go Wi-Fi to a smartphone or tablet possibly.

Can you please provide a link to the Asian relay boards you have used, I found many and am not sure which would be a good solution?

Sorry about that...I see stan2004 posting them from eBay in different threads- I couldn't find the basic version quickly on the bay - most are opto/Arduino suitable.

I have used the basic versions and trigger them with a simple switch or button. I didn't intend to send you down the exotic path - only to see what's out there to keep things small.

My progress on the panel cover has stalled. Can anyone suggest a layout plan software that supports scenery and buildings as a starting point? I have the panel case installed now and the area around the panel fully detailed.

I am really leaning towards using the touch toggles as I think the finished product will be worthwhile. The ZWs have been moved to a shelf below the panel and I am trying to relocate the meters to another location also.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

You might take a look at SCARM, a freely downloadable program that works on Windows based computers only.  I'm not sure that it will meet your needs or desires, but I know I've seen 3-D layout design pictures showing scenery and structures created in SCARM.

Chuck

Thank you chuck, I will take a look.

I suspect that I may be a bit late to be of help, but just in case . . .

[My lingo: Turnout = switch track.  Switch = Device for making and breaking electrical connections]

I also was concerned about my control panel having too many devices and appearing too busy, so after much consideration and based on four previous control panels, I decided to do the following:

• 46 toggle switches to control 57 turnouts, where 22 of these turnouts are in crossover configuration that require only 11 switches for control. These toggle switches, which are center off with momentary on up and down, are numbered and arranged at the bottom of the panel.

• 46 bi-color (Green - Red) LED's that indicate the actual positions of the turnouts. These are placed on the panel track plan at the exact locations of the turnouts next to the number of the turnout that corresponds to its toggle switch.

• 48 track blocks switches (main districts, sidings and spurs), each of which requires a toggle switch to turn the track blocks on/off. These switches are located on the actual track section on the panel. The position of the toggle indicates the state: Up = On, Down = Off.

Control panel: (There are additional switches that are used to control or enable accessories.)

One of eight relay modules used to turn man line districts, sidings, and spurs on and off. (Six of the eight available relays are used in this case.)

I do hope you find the graphic for which you are looking.

Alex

Alex, thank you for sharing your experiences. It has really had me thinking of different or better methods I should be considering. Your use of the relays for block control allows use with AIU's; something I had given up on previously. Can you share more info on those relay boards? Source and pricing?

I have an inquiry in with the OGR editor and Kalmbach publishing regarding the graphics, I hope to hear back from them soon. Worst case scenario I will use actual photos from above the layout and stitch them together as a starting point. I see tons of these plans on pinterest and never thought it would be this hard to find out who makes them. 

Your layout and control panel is very inspiring, excellent work. Thank you.