not sure if this is the right place for this, but I'm looking for a simple and ideally free program that will let me draw and print track schematics for local panels.

I really only need to be able to draw straight lines, left to right, and at 45 degrees, to produce simple schematics, so something that lets me click and draw then release would be fine.

any suggestions or links would be appreciated.

cheers

alan

If you have MS Office on your PC then Excel has a 'Draw' facility. This is an early design of the Mimic Control Panels for my new layout. It has since been revised but it should give you an idea of what can be done.



I just print this onto A3 photo paper and glue it to a piece of 3mm acrylic sheet. Drill holes for switches, LEDs etc. and mount into a box.

if you would like a free version of something similar to MS Office try
http://www.openoffice.org/

There is a drawing program within the software

very good panel drawing Chinahand

Inkscape is a vector drawing program but there is a learning curve.
If you want something model railway related, maybe the panel editor in JMRI is worth a look. I haven't used it, so can not say how it is like.

Just to give you some idea of just how powerful the Excel Draw feature is, this is the final version of the Control Panels for my new Market Havering Layout. The colours represent the different DCC Zones.



Sorry about the definition but I needed to keep the scan resolution down to 300 dpi.

many thanks for the replies, looks like a bit of trial and error to see what suits me best.

that excel draw does look superb though ....

cheers

alan

Anyrail (www.anyrail.com) can be downloaded for free. You can use upto fifty track pieces, for free and that might be enough for you.
I drew schematics and changed the minimum curve to allow tight corners on flexitrack making for a nice schematic.

HTH
Cheers
Kirky