For me, the 5" between grid markings is a big plus. My SCARM layout has been perfected and I will be ready to start the benchwork as soon as it warms up here. I leave my table saw in the garage because it produces huge amounts of sawdust that I don'r want in my workshop/trainroom.
I am planning open grid modules for that eventual day when the layout needs to be moved or sold. SCARM has helped me visualize the different heights of the benchwork that will make track and roadbed a lot easier to build. The highest elevations will be flat while the lower elevations will have suspended roadbed and transitions. If all the open grid were the same height, all the elevations would need to be built up. This would drastically increase cost, work and make everything a lot heavier than need be.
Getting back to the 5" grid markings: I overlaid geometric shapes on top of an additional layer above the layout to size up the various modules that will all be connected. I used the ruler function to get the length and widths required and posted those dimensions on a printout of the layout. I plan to use the grid markings to position the sub-roadbed. I will make cardboard or corrugated patterns to help in cutting and placing the sub-roadbed.
I removed all the facia in order to get better dimension clarity and lost the inside opening in the 3D version, but that doesn't matter to me here. I wanted an accurate plan view of the module sizes.
I hope the SCARM attachment works out properly.
Thanks...
