Although most people have heard of laser-cut & 3-D printed model railway parts & kits most modellers have little knowledge or experience of them This fascinating & well-illustrated book describes in non-technical language how these machines work & how railway modellers can use them to produce remarkable models for their layouts With reference to the different modelling scales the author discusses in detail the advantages & disadvantages of different types of machines & the materials they employ He also shows how beginners can install & use ' Sketchup Make' a free CAD (Computer Aided Design) program from the Internet With step-by-step instructions & accompanying photographs the author takes the modeller through the early stages of using this program before providing many examples of how to design model railway related items such as laser-cut roofing tiles palisade fencing brickwork & the detailed elements of station awning In addition he demonstrates how to create 3-D printed furniture barrels packing crates guttering & down pipes rivet heads & a workman's hut