SCARM - Simple Computer Aided Railway Modeller

[Mixy]

Many users asked about the file with the small steam engine that I used for demonstration of the new cylinder features in SCARM v. 0.9.25. Here is it:

Drawing of Prussian T3 Steam Loco in SCARM

The article shows most of the steps in the drawing of a close representation of Prussian T3 loco in HO scale.
In example, below are shown the cylinders that form the wheelset - as parts and assembled:



See more pics in the blog post and download the project file to see it on your own PCs.

Mixy

[Mixy]

Recently, I updated the SCARM website, which now has modern look and design and comes with a lot of new and updated information and resources about the program. Check it here:

www.scarm.info



The site now works well not only on PCs, but also on tablets and smartphones too. Contents section is rewritten and optimized for easy navigation and access to the most important pages. The same is valid also for the documentation - it has new structure with many new and updated topics. See the new help page here:

Online help & FAQ about SCARM layout software

Hope you will like the new site :)

Mixy

[Mixy]

Here are listed the SCARM model railroad blog posts for October.

The next version of SCARM is almost ready and will be released soon :)

Mixy

[Mixy]

And here is it - the new SCARM v. 0.9.26, coming with the new online help system integrated and the long-awaited Layers feature for easy editing of complex railroad layouts. Read more details here:

SCARM Track Planning Software 0.9.26 Released

Hope you will like the new release ;)

Mixy

[Mixy]

IMPORTANT!

Several bugs were discovered in SCARM 0.9.26 related to the renaming of the layers and then save and restore of the already changed layer names. The patched version of the program was released today.

Please upgrade to SCARM 0.9.27, which can be downloaded from www.scarm.info to fix these problems.

See more about this bugfix update in the following blog post: SCARM v. 0.9.27 Released.

I am sorry if these bugs caused any problems and inconvenience in your work with SCARM. If you see another problems, please report them here or in SCARM Blog and I will try to fix them ASAP.

Mixy

[Mixy]

Here I want to present the first very detailed virtual locomotive models in SCARM, created by Ian Donohoe and shown in the SCARM blog here:

Detailed 3D Models of US Diesel Locomotives in SCARM

Below are two of them:





These are created with the object's interface of SCARM and are auto-scalable to the scale and gauge of the used tracks in the layout plan.



Download the loco library from the blog's post and use these nice models in your virtual SCARM layouts :)

Mixy

[Mixy]

And something special for N-scalers: I've managed to make the complete KATO N Unitrack library for SCARM with bridges and viaducts :)

As the new version of the program is not yet finished, you can download the updated KATO library from here:

Updated KATO N Unitrack Library for SCARM

See some of the straight bridge and viaduct sections in 3D below:



Now the KATO N Unitrack library should be fully opertional with all bridge and viaduct track pieces included :)

Mixy

[Mixy]

Hi all and Happy New Year :)

Here are listed the SCARM railroad blog posts for December.

The next version of SCARM is almost ready and will be published soon :)

Mixy

[Medina1128]

I downloaded and tried out SCARM, and the first thing that struck me is that it DOES have many more libraries than Atlas' RTS program. I'll continue to check out SCARM and give a report later on.

[Mixy]

Thank you Marlon

In the meanwhile, the new SCARM v. 0.9.28 is ready and published. Read more details about it here:

SCARM Model Railroad Layout Designer 0.9.28 Released

Mixy

[Mixy]

Here are listed the SCARM railroad blog posts for January 2015.

Check How To Make Control Panels and Diagrams for SCARM Track Plans article if you want to know more about how to draw a stylized diagrams of your layouts like the example below of oval with one siding.



The next version of SCARM will be published soon, I hope :)

Mixy

[-matthew]

I downloaded and tried working with this software a little bit last night.  I found it a bit frustrating, to be honest.  

My goal in using the software was to draw and then modify a trackplan from 101 Track Plans.  

My general computer-drawing experience is using MS Visio to draw system/software architectures (mostly block diagrams)  so a lot of my expectations are based on how Visio and other MS products draw diagrams.

Here's a short list of things I observed trying to lay parallel track for a yard.  

1.  The ruler markings on the left and top seem to only be in whole inch units.  Fractional markings would help a lot.  (If it exists, it shouldn't be an option.  Just zooming in should draw half, quarter, eigth inch markings as the space is available.)

2.  Moving track was VERY frustrating. After laying a bunch of parallel track, I wanted to adjust the spacing of it.  I right-clicked on the track and selected Move.  The track segment "jumped" to be centered on the mouse (which was usually well below the track because I had to select the Move option on the pop-up menu.)  This completely messed me up because I only wanted to move the track a little bit.  Being able to select track and move it with the arrow keys would be very useful.

3.  Moving/adjusting already placed track just didn't work easily for me.  I tried to connect two pieces of parrellel track with a turnout and just couldn't figure out how to get two arrows to "join".

4.  Copy/paste appeared to not work because when you paste, the new piece is placed directly over the original and it doesn't look like paste works.  Maybe place the new piece in the center of the window and have it selected and in "move" mode so the user can start placing it immediately.

5.  Rotating a turnout didn't seem to be possible except by dragging it to existing track and getting the arrows to "meet". 

[Mixy]

Hello Matthew,

Thank you for your comments about SCARM. I will write down your notes and will then make some adjustments in the next versions of the program, especially for moving and rotating of the tracks.

Mixy

[Mixy]

The new SCARM v. 0.9.29 is ready and published. Read more about it here:

SCARM Railroad Layout Planner 0.9.29 Released

Mixy

[Mixy]

Here are listed the SCARM railroad blog posts for February.

Check also the first Advanced Video Tutorial about working with baseboard feature in SCARM.

Mixy

[Mixy]

See also the SCARM railroad blog posts for March.

Watch the second Advanced Video Tutorial about buildings in SCARM.

Mixy

[Mixy]

Here are listed the SCARM railroad blog posts for April.

Check also the recently published first SCARM fleet with several N-scale vessels (created by John Lemay) and download the project file if you want to use some of these ships in your SCARM layouts.

Emma Maersk container carrier



Different lake freighters



Lansdowne rail ferry



And there are more... :)

Mixy

[Mixy]

Here is the list with the SCARM railroad blog posts for May.

See also the last post with several Living and Engine Houses in HO scale (created by Howard McLay) and download the project files if you want to edit and/or place some of these buildings in your SCARM track plans.

Here is the two-story building with a swimming pool.



As usual, there are more... ;)

Mixy

[Mixy]

And here are the SCARM model railroad blog posts for June and July.

Read more about SCARM and Windows 10 if you plan to migrate to the new operating system and use SCARM on it.



Most users that already upgraded reports that SCARM runs fine, even faster on Windows 10, but if your case is not the same, post here or comment in the blog for any issues or weird behavior when running SCARM on the new OS.

Mixy

[Mixy]

Looks like SCARM runs well on the new Windows 10 and now I am preparing to launch the next version of the program ;)

In the meanwhile, here are the SCARM railroad blog posts for August.

Check also the recently posted virtual model of Superquick A-10 Train Station Building in OO, which is also suitable for use in HO scale and download it for using in your own SCARM layouts.



Mixy

[Anonymous]

Mixy - I really enjoy working with SCARM - it´s an easy to learn, but powerful tool. Just a quick glimpse on my planned layout:

I have two questions regarding future upgrades:

• Is it intended to include a library of model locos and cars (I am particularly interested in Bemo RhB stock)?
• Will there be a feature to run a virtual layout tour?

Thanks for a great tool!

[Mixy]

Hello Ulrich,

Great looking layout :)

Yes, I plan to add libraries with rolling stock and also the ability to run a virtual trains on the layout, to check the possible operations or just for fun. Here is one short preview of that upcoming feature:

There are some libraries with virtual models of locos and cars for SCARM even now, but they are static. Look for them here:

Examples of virtual train models for SCARM

If you want to share your layout or other SCARM related content with other SCARM users, send me a PM :)

Mixy

[Mixy]

The new, long awaited SCARM v. 0.9.30 is ready and published, coming with new features and many new and updated track libraries. Read more details here:

SCARM Model Train Layout Software 0.9.30 Released

Hope you will like it ;)

Mixy

[Mixy]

And here are the SCARM railroad blog posts for September.

See also the recently posted Faller Buildings and Structures for SCARM in HO scale, ready to be used in your layout projects.



Mixy

[Mixy]

Here are the SCARM railroad blog posts for October.

Check also one example of a virtual HO-Scale Grain Elevator in SCARM for use on your track plan.



Mixy

[Mixy]

The new version SCARM 0.9.31 is ready and published, coming with new security features and several new and updated track libraries. Read more details here:

SCARM Model Railroad Track Planner 0.9.31 Released

This version should fix the "scramble" bug, which may appear in the older releases, so update is recommended.

Mixy

[Mixy]

Here is the list with SCARM railroad blog posts for November.

See also the recently published Virtual HO-Scale railcars with military vehicles, which are suitable for representing military trains for those, who are creating layouts with military bases.



Mixy

[Mixy]

And here is the list with SCARM railroad blog posts for December.

Don't miss the last post for 2015 which is representing the beautiful Badalona train station in N scale as virtual model in SCARM :)



Mixy

[Mixy]

It is one of the largest and most complex track plans ever designed in SCARM which is now turning into a real layout by the guys in Garden State Central Model Railroad Club. See some pics from the building process, read more about that huge layout and download the SCARM track plan from the link below.

Garden State Central Model Railroad Club 25' x 50' Room Layout





Hope all you will like it :)

Mixy

[Mixy]

Here is the only post in SCARM Railroad Modeling Blog for January:

Reset SCARM Settings to Defaults

Use the method, described above if you want to revert to default settings and/or if you have troubles when starting the program - resetting can be of help.

Now I am finishing and testing some new features in SCARM and the next version, with many new and updated track libraries will be released soon, I hope :)

Mixy