What is your method for visualizing your tank before planting
 

I've got my substrate, lighting (low light), filtration (canister) and fish I want all figured out. Now for the plants. I do have a few plants picked out that I like. However, I am not sure how to really visualize the plant arrangements in the tank since this is my first planted tank. What do you guys and gals do to visualize your tank before buying and planting plants? I guess I need a game plan or something.

I look around at other peoples tanks, then map it out in a way I like then do it, when i map it out i draw a birds I view of the tank and then proceed

Sketching it. I sketch my layouts to get a general idea of how i want the overall look to be like. I do one from the main viewing angle of the tank and then one from the top to figure out where I want the plants. I know people who do the top view in a grid-like system so its very easy for them to plant accordingly.

Visual only. I try to group the way I think it will look good then I stand back and view the tank from about 5 feet back. I usually end up re-arranging once or twice tho.

I do as other's above have suggested keeping in mind how large the plant's can grow when filled out.
Less re-arranging this way (In theory:roll:).

Yeah but I'm a female so it's pretty much a law that I have to change my mind a few times before I'm satisfied :)

Me too, Never quite look's the way I drew it up on paper.

haha, if you need inspiration look at Byron's tanks...

You are all so good. I must be lacking patience as I tend to NOT get what I visualize. What I see in my mind never ends up showing in my finished tanks. In part this is due to the fact that I am too cheap to send out for anymore plants so I am limited to what I can get locally. Another part is that I get sick of the same old, same old and change things around often. I would be a good candidate for a new tank so I can quit bugging my fish for awhile in the current tanks. ha ha

Don't feel bad Inga. I am the same way. The finished look NEVER looks like the image in my head. LoL.
The idea of sketching it seems like a good idea in theory. LoL though I would still mess that up! I don't really have the patience to sit there and look at the tank then draw a picture of how it is suppose to look. Then there is no way I could transfer the idea from paper to the tank and it still be right.

I just plant and and sit back and look and rearrange a BUNCH LoL untill it looks some way "okay" though I am never happy with the finish product. I just go by what others say as to if I rearrange or not. If everyone else thinks its okay then I leave it for awhile.