TRACK PLANNING SOFTWARE

[Anonymous]

I'm going to start planning my layout in a few weeks and am trying to decide
on a CAD program( ie: cadrail vs 3rd Planet). I'm leaning towards Cadrail.
Any feedback on these programs would be appreciated.
Thank Jim

[selector]

Jim, welcome to the forum. I have abstained from a response because I have never used a program for designing my layout. Many do, though, and I figured you'd have a response or two by now.

May I suggest that you do a search using the word 'CAD", or "track design software" and you will certainly get dozens of threads that you can peruse.

This response will also get you back on the front page, and maybe generate others.

Good luck.

[ARTHILL]

I tried both Xtrakcad (Free version) and RTS and found the learning curve more than my old brain wanted. I went back to paper and had the track laid before I would have ever learned the program enough to be confident it worked.

[bp020897]

I would suggest you include 3D Railroad Concept and Design by Abracadata in your search for track design software. I considered CADRAIL but went with 3D as it was half the price of CADRAIL and has turned out to be a strong application. The learning curve is the kicker for any of these products. I am still working on getting up to speed but am impressed with it so far.
I started with the Atlas freeware RTS and got frustrated with that pretty fast. 3D is very strong in the track design area. CADRAIL provided additional functions I do not need, like benchwork design, if I remember right.

Bob

[SpaceMouse]

I am using XtraCAD and although it is free, it is a powerful program. It recently went open source which is why it is now free.

There is a tutorial program that takes a cuple hours to run. After that though, I felt comfortable in designing track with it.

[Anonymous]

I have and sometimes use 3rd Planit but prefer paper and pencil. I work on a PC all day long and there is just something about not starring at a screen that keeps leading me back to paper and pencil. From what I've heard and read, most of the cad systems can do a lot but you need to invest significant time to learn the system. I still stumble around in 3rd Planit so that may also influence my use.

[trollw]

I have used CADRail for at least 10 years and feel very comfortable with it. I just started using 3rd PlanIt about 2-3 months ago to see if I liked it better. Some of my observations are (remember that I do not claim to be nearly as far up on the learning
curve on 3rd Planit as I am on CADRail):

3d rendering in 3pi is better
Running simulated trains on the simulated layout in 3pi is better/easier
Applying hills, valleys, etc. to the terrain in 3pi is easier
Toolkit for building trackwork is easier and more intuitive to use in
CADRail (CR)

They both have the feature that if you build it like you designed it, and you designed it without kinks or insufficient clearances, the layout will not have kinks or clearance problems.

I have built a fairly extensive library of structure kit footprints for CR - they are on the CR forum website. The 3-d structure library for 3pi is not very large so you have to be prepared to either (1) use the ones that are available and plan on 'adjusting' locations when you build it, (2) use footprints for your actual structures and not be able to see anything but the 'foundation' when in 3-d, or (3) draw up your own 3-d buildings for the
kits/structures that you have or plan to get.. I am in the process of building 'featureless boxes' for each of my structures so I can see the overall effect in 3-d and will put them out in the 3pi forum files when I get them done but I don't know how soon that will be.

In closing, I would not design a layout except with CAD. If it fits in CAD, it will fit in the room.

[rvanparys]

I bought 3rd Planit when it first came out. What a disappointment... However, I upgraded to the current version and was pleasently surprised. There is a learning curve but as you use it, it becomes easier.

I am building an around the wall layout with multiple layers. 3plit allows you to see your work in 3D and is excellent in setting grade and elevations....

If you can find your way around a computer then learning a CAD program will not be a problem.... Just make sure you save your work... I just lost three hours of fine tuning because of a power failure....

Good luck
Roger

[cuyama]

The investment in time to learn a CAD program is substantial and for most people, _far_ outweighs any difference in cost (yes, even including "free"). I have owned or trialed many of the model RR CAD programs and put some notes on each of those on my website:
http://www.modelrail.us/id14.html

Personally I now own and use 3rd PlanIt after owning CADRail for years because the 3rd PlanIt user interface works better for me (more like Windows, less like CAD). But _none_ of the currently available packages is easy to use. If you are only designing one layout for yourself, paper, pencil, and a set of templates might be a better choice for many people because of the steep CAD learning curve.

If you like playing around with the computer anyway, then the learnign curve is not as onerous. Good luck!

Regards,

Byron

[Adelie]

I use CadRail, and have for 10 or so years with no major complaints. I've seen some good work come out of 3D PlanIt, as well. Can't really speak for the others.

Keep in mind that you can probably also put these programs to use if you want to design and scratch build structures, bridges and trestles. I know CadRail works pretty well for that, and I assume the others do, too.

[Anonymous]

I've used 3rd Planet for several years now and am very happy with it. Like all CAD programs there is a substantial learning curve but in the end the investment is worth it. Not only is 3rd Planet an effective 2d and 3d Cad program the transfer of the plan from paper to the layout is exact, effective and easy.

Good Luck
Frank Watrous