Activity › Forums › Customization and Modding › 3D Printing in Model Railways | Craft Parts & Accessories › Designing Your Own 3D Printed Details, From Concept to Layout › Reply To: Designing Your Own 3D Printed Details, From Concept to Layout
I’ve definitely had those moments where I spot something missing from my layout like a specific platform sign, a unique water tower, or a signal box and realize, “I could design that!”
Diving into 3D modeling was a bit of a learning curve, but I started with TinkerCAD for simple shapes, and now I’m experimenting with Fusion 360 for more complex structures. One trick I learned: always double-check your measurements before printing, especially when scaling to HO or N scale.
My workflow usually goes like this:
1. Sketch or find reference photos.
2. Build the model in CAD.
3. Test print in low-res to check fit.
4. Final print in higher detail.
5. Sand, prime, paint, and install!
Would love to see how others approach designing parts. What software do you swear by? How do you test and finish your pieces?
Share your designs, print tips, or even STL files. let’s grow this thread into a creative toolkit for modelers!