Anyone still use FVD, Newton, FVD++?

Or some sort of mathematically precise force vector method?

I've used Newton 2 a lot of time and now I use FVD++.

[Blase Rhine]

I usually handbuild but its been a pain sometimes so I switched to FVD++ and cant figure out anything so I tried with Newton and I like it quite a bit.

I started with Newton2 as NL2 was just about to come out then switched to FVD++ sometime around April last year. I could never get down working with banking in the built in NL2 editor, so I've just ended up sticking with FVD++.

I've been using FVD++ for virtually all my coasters since 2013 with the exception of my first NL2 ride P Express. I feel like I have a lot more control over what I do with my track using FVD++ than I do with Newton2 or even NL2 handbuilding. Am I the only one who doesn't have much of a problem with the "roll per second / meter" of FVD++ (as opposed to absolute roll in Newton2)? It lets me do things I wouldn't be able to do with Newton2's roll style (e.g. the first inversion on my ride Gyrfalcon, and the Divebomb Roll on my ride Lawin). At the very least I would have a much more difficult time trying to add the tiny details onto those using Newton2. Handbuilding with NL2 is a little better although I have a problem with the track trying to change yaw so that it aligns with the axis from which you're adding vertices. I know there's a Rotate tool and a Make Straight 2D tool, and those are nice, but it still doesn't entirely eliminate the problem (for me at least), and I still can't add the small details into my track shaping as easily as with FVD++.

Ever since using NL2 I have completely stopped using any of those programs. The only reason I even used them was if I wanted some precise heartlining and smoothness, which is hard to do with just NL1. Now that NL2 has additional features to make that easier I see no need for those. NL2 has everything I need to make a heartlined steel track with less noticeable pumps and be able to edit earlier portions without screwing up later track.

I've made coasters using all methods (NL1 and NL2 handbuilding, N2, and FVD). I've stuck with N2 because it has the perfect balance of usability and power. It's nearly as powerful as FVD, but it's easy to use. I tried FVD, and although the features are very useful, I found it very difficult to actually build what I had in mind. NL1 handbuilding never came out good unless AHG or Elementary was used, and NL2's is much better, but not as precise as the Force Vector programs. I hope Entropy completes N3 within the next few years, as it shows really promising features (namely, the ability to export track directly into Blender and actually simulate the ride like a real ride promotion. This will be IMMENSELY powerful, and I think it will change things.) Until then, I'll continue to use N2.

I'm sticking to the handbuilding style, as Newton2 on my computer doesn't work well, like it suddenly acts up while tweaking track parameters. CPU usage shoots up to almost 100!