track laying software

[Anonymous]

I've tried to lay out several layouts going blind because I'm not trying to model anything in perticular so I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on any of this software I see in modelrailroader magazine. I would really like to get a picture of it that I can actually see other than try to get the picture i have in my head on to my benchwork because thats just not working and this is my irst attempt at building a train setup other than having just an oval track and my wife has had it with me getting to point and having to start over. Any help in this area would be greatly appreciated.[8]

[Anonymous]

3rd PlanIt is supposed to be really good, but it is not cheap. A technique described in MR a long time ago (1970s?) suggested drawing a line across your layout, and drawing the elevations - giving you a cross section at least. Not fully 3-D, but getting there.

The 3rd PlanIt site seems to be down right now (3:30pm Eastern) - www.trackplanning.com

This support or user group site is up though - http://3pi.info/fom-bitbag/cache/1.html

You might also try (if you haven't yet) the cookie cutter type approach to benchwork, or any other approach than the 4x8 table. You don't say much about your layout, but sometimes just working on the track/roadbed area can suggest other things. Once you see just the area for the track fixed, you might find yourself imagining mountains or lakes in the "open" areas. It is hard to explain, but I hope you know what I mean. If not, I''ll try and find some pictures... [;)]

Hope that helps.

Andrew

[Anonymous]

I have and sometimes use 3rd Planit. I recommend you download the Atlas RightTrack software for free before spending money on a program. The Atlas software will only allow you to make a plan view. The track elevations are not supported in this program. If you need to go to the 3D level, then 3rd Planit is great. It runs somewhere between $80-$100 I think. Good Luck - Ed

[snowey]

the ATLAS RIGHT TRACK software is avalible at Atlas' website, at WWW.ATLASRR.COM If you choose this one, it's a great program, but the first time you use it, you might get so frustrated, you'll probably find yourself asking why you ever tried it in the first place!! But, like I said, it's a great program!

[Anonymous]

You might also try CADRAIL, which allows 3-D views as well. Was reminded of it last night while reading MR...

http://sandiasoftware.com/

Andrew

[trollw]

I use CADRAIL and would not even think about designing a layout without it. Like any software, it takes a while to come up to speed on it but the tutorials are good. Plus you can use it for any number of other design projects. I did the plans for remodelling several rooms in my house using it. On the model railroad side, it has a library of most of the walthers kits as well as the templates for all the DPM wall modules. You can design a building just by copying and placing the modules together - much easier than cutting out the paper copies and taping them together.

[Jetrock]

Is it possible to create custom turnouts and such using CADRAIL? I'm tempted to get some track-planning software but would need something that can support 6" radius single-point trolley switches and super sub-minimum-radius curves--the ATLAS software died horribly on me when I tried to lay out a 12" radius curve of flextrack!

[trollw]

If you can think of it, you can design it with CADRAIL. It will let you put in a 0.1 inch radius curve if you want it - it doesn't stop you from connecting anything to anything. However, if you use the tangent features and the align features, and then build it like you designed it, it WILL line up without kinks. As for switches, The only potential problem area would be curved switches - CADRAIL 'simulates' switches using 3 straight lines intesecting at a common point (the diverging track is positioned so it joins the other 2 non-diverging lines at a point that will allow the line to be positioned at the exact angle of the stub of the real switch). This form must be used if you want to use the feature that allows you to actually run a train on the CAD layout (RUNRAIL). The RUNRAIL feature looks for three straight lines to join to identify a switch. If you don't want to use RUNRAIL, then you can draw the switch using straight lines or arcs (you can print out the switch at 1:1 and make sure the actual switch will overlay it correctly -- if it doesn't, modify the drawing until it does). One other feature that I like is that you can define a line as 2 parallel lines (you can set the distance between the two lines to be the same as your choice of scale). The program uses the centerline between the two lines as the control point so you can lay everthing out as a single line, then change it to actual track widths. I realize that all this may be a little overwhelming - if you want to discuss this offline, drop me an e-mail at [e-mail] with your phone number and hours when I could reach you at that number and I will give you a call (I am in the US, Central Standard Time).

[Anonymous]

Just be aware that all the design programs have a learning curve that is steeper than what you are used to in most software today (I'm excluding complex software at work). So you will need to spend some time, and some frustrating time learning a design program. The nice thing is once you learn it you are there.

The reason I question it is that it might be overkill for one layout. If you are helping others design their's, whether on the net or elsewhere, then it would be very helpful. Some guys make a sub-hobby helping others in layout design. I used to help others for free, but I found the majority were "tire kickers" and not serious about the layout.

I recall I spent hours working on a guys layout in N scale, sent it off to him, only to be told that he wasn't interested in N scale anymore. Now if some one wants my help I usually give them about an hour and half's homework before I will work with them and this blows away 95% of all respondents. I figure if I'm going to work for a couple of hours on a guys layout, he can too.....lol.

[Anonymous]

G'Day Spectrum
I first purchased 3rd planit in 1999, used it for one layout, and then my computer crashed. On trying to reload and reinstall, I failed. The reason - the serial number supplied by Eldorado was no longer recognised by the software. Contact with Eldorado was disappointing in that they couldn't/wouldn/t supply me with the number. I did't follow this up. However I purchased (at full price) a new copy only 2 weeks ago, and I must say it is one of the easiest CADs I've ever used. Randy, if you read this, I'm pretty jacked off with the lack of assistance and having to purchase a new copy.

But for all that, try the free Atlas program, and if like me you find planning layouts is as satisfying as building go 3rd Planit.

David Stokes

[Anonymous]

RR Track software (www.rrtrack.com) is good. It doesn't have all of the bells and whistles included in some software, but it gets the job done. I'm using it for a 20x20 room, and you can do grading and rough scenery on it. It has a few views, and also displays a list of the items you have laid (but sometimes it is better not to know).
It cost around $100 dolars last time I checked.

Hope I have helped,
Daniel

[Anonymous]

I want to thank every one for their ideas on this subject and i just want to say that I had 3rdplanit for about a year just never realing tried figuring it out until now and even though I'm starting to get some stuff done I am still having some troubles with it, I'm just not that up on CAD programs but thanks everyone and if you have any ideas on the subject to help figure it out please email me

[Anonymous]

Being a cpu techie (know A LOT more about them then MRR<grin>)...i've had awful experience with:

1) Atlas software. The select with the switch for select and click or something of that nature. The interface is archane and there is no support for elevations. A very steep learning curve. The simple view is well...nasty. It's free...but you get what you pay for...VERY difficult to print large layouts...several pages of print outs

2) Cadrail...buggy. I planned a perfect layout (on screen<grin>) and then it had a snap point glitch. You'd attempt to alter a connection radius and bam...right to the desktop. I tried a clean install and was able to replicate. It was a watered-down autocad...I didn't like it.

3) Cadrail...difficult to use...and also buggy. It repeatedly crashed when I tried to do the 3d view. Since the main reason I used the program was to see the virtual tour...this kind of diminished the value of it.

4) Microsoft Visio XP - About $125 USD. Simple to use...a bit too simple perhap. I've played a bit with it...and well it is amazingly simple for the user to utilize...a small learning curve. I'm using it to map my switches and blocks (yes for those diehard non-dcc people<grin>)...sure you'd use some difficulties to map switches...but if one of us made a MASTER layout <grin>...just drag and click...

5) AutoCAD 2000i+ The KING of drafting anything...but comes with a $2500 price tag. If you can get an older version that will run on a 9x system...go ahead. A STEEP learning curve...but hey...if they can draft cars with it then you know slopes and curves are quite simple...to the millionth of an inch. If you're hardcore and/or have a steep budget...use this.

So, my .02 cents...some people will disagree...but my logic is that software developed by a small group of people vs. professional software...there is no comparison of quality, stability, and support. I've used Autocad and Visio 2002 and had nothing but success...to the others...here's a toast to having you off my hard drive!

[Anonymous]

This is an intersting thread. Are there any sites out there that may have done a "bake-off" between the most popular software products (cadrail vs. 3rdplanit?) to highlight the differences/strenghts/weaknesses of each product to help us make a purchase decision?

thx

[Anonymous]

Although I gave some info on 3rd Planit above, I have redicsovered something proposed by Dave Frary in MR some time ago (and probably used by many others before Dave).

Build a mock-up. Here is how I did mine with the help of Mr Frary's suggestion.

Draw out your track plan - either by hand or using something like Atlas RTS. Print it out at a reasonable size - my 4x8 plan fit nicely on a 8.5x11 sheet of paper. Stick it to some thin cardboard - like a ceral box. Cut out the plan leaving about 1/8" on either side of the track.

Cut a rectangle of thicker cardboard to represent the benchwork. Stick the track to it, but only where the track will be at the benchwork level. Then use modelling clay (I got Play-dough at the dollar store) to build up your elevations, make mountains, tunnels, whatever.

It is fast, cheap, and user-friendly. And you went throught the learning curve in kindergarten... [;)]

Andrew