I've used charts,& copied factory rods. But what I've wound up doing is using a combination of the two above then after I think it "looks" good , I take the rod out back and cast it. Sometimes I may have to move a guide or two until I think it's at its optimum performance wise.
IMO , you can only do this by attaching the guides with stretchy string, Once you deciede "that's it, then you start wrapping.
Takes a little more time, but what the heck if your in a hurry you should'nt be building a rod anyway.