I went with RR Track. I like the application a lot and find it's easier to use than RTS.
http://www.rrtrack.com/
Jerry
My Apologies John....
I read your post before my first cup of coffee. I could have sworn you were asking about alternatives to RTS. I looked again and realized you were asking for help with RTS.
Sorry...I can't really help. I installed it and attempted to use it...but really got frustrated with it and decided to go another direction.
John, the latest version of RTS is not too user friendly. It used to be a good basic track planning program, but it's gotten too complex, imho. While the RTS software is expensive, it is the best of the bunch. zooming is simple-- you just use the page up/page down keys--
Also, the RTS is only for Atlas track. RR-track has libraries for just about every model train scale! The basic package is about 80$, extra libraries(bundled by scale) about 20.I know that some libraries are included in the basic package, but can't remember which ones they are.
RR-track has avery good tutorial section that teaches you how to use it.
A Day Without Trains is a Day Wasted
Just a quick question, I see RR-tracks has several purchase options. I'm doing "O" gauge, probably tinplate track, mostly if not all post-war with accessories. Which purchase option would the resident experts recommend?
Mike
PostwarMan07 wrote:wow...i just took a look at the rr tracks and was shocked at how great the package is. Im definately going to go and purchase it. On RTS you have to draw in your own accessories while rr tracks have almost every accessory ever made!
ezmike wrote: Just a quick question, I see RR-tracks has several purchase options. I'm doing "O" gauge, probably tinplate track, mostly if not all post-war with accessories. Which purchase option would the resident experts recommend?Mike
Brent,
Thanks, once you get past the basic version they ain't cheap but if they work and saves you countless hours of drawing then I guess they're worth it. Too bad they don't offier a limited use, time limited demo version (at least I didn't see one). I downloaded the demo versions of a couple of others and its a good thing I did. One didn't offer Lionel as a track option and the other was way to difficult to use.
I tested my copy of Atlas RTS (version 7.0) and there are multiple ways to zoom in/out:
1) Decrement/increment the zoom setting box in the upper left corner.
2) Right click on the mouse and select zoom in or zoom out.
3) Use the = key to zoom in and the \ key to zoom out (the \ key did not work for me)
4) Click on the zoom in button (magnifying glass with + sign) and click on the spot you want to zoom in on.
The first option zooms in on the upper left corner but the other options zoom in on the cursor. When you are zoomed in, you can use the scroll bars to move around. Let me know if this works for you.
Daniel Lang
JohnW
There aren't too many help screens that really help you. Try this.
be sure you have your layout selected to view on the screen
now select view from the top bar
select properties and you will see a number of tabs across the top. select Desktop.
this tab sets the profile for how you will view what you see on your screen.
be sure the worksize size is set to something large, like the overall size of the room you are working in. it is in 'inches' use the arrow or highlight and replace with a number.
now when you view the layout, your right hand scroll bar should allow you to move thru the layout without making it micro small.
Spend some time looking thru the options/properties feature under each of the items on the top bar. it is not an intuitive package, but it is free. Practice your layout here. a 10in straight track is a 10in straight track, a 31in curve is a...well you get it. don't worry too much about it is atlas or lionel...once you get the hang of it, then you can decide if you want to spend 100$ plus and deal with software upgrades, op system changes periodically and worse yet, virus/pc replacement.
How many times will you draw a layout? is it worth the price? or is this free thing valuable to be able to share an overall picture of your layout with others to ask for help?
hope the above info is helpful
ralph
lionroar88 wrote:They have a lot of them, but there are some key ones missing...1. Radio Station2. Tunnel PortalsThere were others, but these stuck in my mind... Also... there is no way to 'see' your benchwork, which would REALLY be a HUGE bonus!
If you can visually ignore the circle drawn around it, you can use the airplane pylon for the radio station, as they have the identical base and tower. (I am pretty sure the SW will not force you to stay away from the circle with other objects)
Oops. Just realized the way I snipped the quote, the context was lost. This tip is for RR Track software, not RTS.
-Dave
Dave45681 wrote: lionroar88 wrote:They have a lot of them, but there are some key ones missing...1. Radio Station2. Tunnel PortalsThere were others, but these stuck in my mind... Also... there is no way to 'see' your benchwork, which would REALLY be a HUGE bonus!If you can visually ignore the circle drawn around it, you can use the airplane pylon for the radio station, as they have the identical base and tower. (I am pretty sure the SW will not force you to stay away from the circle with other objects)Oops. Just realized the way I snipped the quote, the context was lost. This tip is for RR Track software, not RTS.
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