How do Pilots Actually Setup a Flight Plan?

@trex5365 out of interrest: In the US if you file an IFR flightplan, do you guys have to adhere to airwais? In Europe that is a bit confusing since some countries do have them (Germany for sure :wink: ) and some dont (Austira and Pland for instance). So I was wondering if you guys (excuse my ignorance but I simply assume you are an American :slight_smile: ) have to take the possible airways into account too when planning a route IFR style, do you?
However - we do use VORs or well known waypoints to create our route (GA) in AT for instance.