7mm 7mm track options

[simond]

Can’t answer that with any certainty, Mike.

Templot is very, very good, but for someone who grew up with technical drawing and graduated to 2D & eventually 3D CAD, it’s confusingly nothing at all like that.

I think you have to dive in and see how you get on, but of course, that implies buying a Windows computer.

A sufficient laptop will cost around £350 or so. (There will be additional costs for MS office and other toys) I purchased an HP for a dear pal, who’s in later life, and he didn’t get on with it, HP refunded me without a quibble, though obviously T&Cs apply, so do read up before splashing out.

once you have a computer, you can play with CAD too, and 3D print becomes an option. Dive on in, the world’s your lobster!

 

[Rob R]

There are open source alternatives to most MS products eg "Open Office" so if MS office isn't bundled with it it isn't the end of the world.
3d printing on the other hand can be a "black art/hobby within a hobby/PITA" but ultimately very rewarding.
Have fun.
Happy Mid winter festivities.
Rob

 

[Hayfield1]

If I were to investigate Templot and 3D track modelling I'd have to invest in a computer or laptop as I currently only use an Android phone for my 'interneting'. What would be the minimum spec I'd be looking at, and more importantly at what cost?

Unlike some peeps here who seem to have IT knowledge of CAD and other such things (Templot for example), I unfortunately don't. Are these things easy to learn?

Cheers
Mike

I had to buy a laptop last year as my desk top had sufficient ump to work 3D builder and slicing programs, the Cheapest laptops I was advised had too little ram, I was advised not to buy a 4gb RAM but an 8 GB ram machine, had a quick look and cost about £250

Now at the moment you may not want to 3D print, that's not to say in the future you may wish to send files to a printer

 

[Hayfield1]

Can’t answer that with any certainty, Mike.

Templot is very, very good, but for someone who grew up with technical drawing and graduated to 2D & eventually 3D CAD, it’s confusingly nothing at all like that.

I think you have to dive in and see how you get on, but of course, that implies buying a Windows computer.

A sufficient laptop will cost around £350 or so. (There will be additional costs for MS office and other toys) I purchased an HP for a dear pal, who’s in later life, and he didn’t get on with it, HP refunded me without a quibble, though obviously T&Cs apply, so do read up before splashing out.

once you have a computer, you can play with CAD too, and 3D print becomes an option. Dive on in, the world’s your lobster!

Simond

Last year I brought a HP 8GB Ram for £250, as said no need to buy anything else in the way of software. I have used the free version of Open Office for years.

 

[Hayfield1]

By the way, I cannot use or rather don't know how to use CAD programs

The basic functions of Templot can be mastered very easily after reading a few Templot how to and of watching James Walters Bexhill West how to use Templot

The basic functionality is ever so easy to use.

Spend a little time understanding it and you will be able to learn basic (Templot) layout design principals

 

[martin_wynne]

Templot is very, very good, but for someone who grew up with technical drawing and graduated to 2D & eventually 3D CAD, it’s confusingly nothing at all like that.

@simond

Hi Simon, Mike,

Nowhere on the tin does Templot claim to be any of those things, so the confusion was all of your own making. Folks who know nothing about technical drawing or CAD get on with Templot just fine. What it does expect you to know is something about UK prototype railway track.

Templot2 for track and layout design will run on just about any old Windows computer, including used/refurbished ones.

For 3D printed track the program swaps to Templot5, which requires 64-bit Windows and ideally at least Windows10 for access to the 3D Builder app, although there are alternatives. Also 8GB memory for the 3D data, otherwise it might be very slow.

But a second-hand Windows10/64 computer with 8GB would be fine.

Happy Christmas to all.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[Phil O]

You're probably a lot better off being a complete beginner, as you won't have any prior knowledge of how other programs work, which will make Templot a lot easier to learn, as it doesn't work in the same way as CAD programs.

 

[Hayfield1]

Simond

Firstly thanks for your usual invaluable input, some of the issues when using any program is understanding how it works, which may be different to other programs

I think that those who can and do use CAD may find Templot works differently, thankfully it does and even I can use it and master a few extra functions. But with a little application it becomes very user friendly in its basic form

 

[spikey faz]

Loads to digest. Thanks. But first gotta digest Xmas dinner!

All the best.
Mike

 

[simond]

I fear I have been misunderstood!

I really didn't mean any criticism of Templot at all, I was simply saying that my reasonably extensive experience in CAD was not really of any great use at all (and may be a disadvantage in that inevitably, like everybody else, I will have developed expectations & preconceptions), which means that someone like Mike, who doesn't have, and is thus not burdened by, such experience, is not at any disadvantage.

Despite my preconceptions, I’ve managed to design and build a dozen or so points/turnouts using copperclad, or C&L chairs to plans I’ve generated on Templot, firstly on the Greater Windowledge Railway, latterly on PD Loco, and a couple for mates.

it’s a great tool. It takes time to get your head around. The results are excellent. I cannot imagine building a model without it.