I'll throw another vote for XTrkCad onto the pile.....
Don Z.
Research; it's not just for geeks.
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
As an update to my previous comments regarding train cadds.
I relied extensively on train cadd on my 2nd layout. It turned out to be much more complicated and difficult to maintain than I had ever imagined. Even though it worked great on paper. I scrapped it and started over.
On my third and current layout, I spent a few weeks designing the 3rd version and as I started to build it, maintenance and support issues began to show up yet again! I scrapped the paper plan and began to let my 3rd version evolve using the same technique I used as a kid. I started laying out the tracks where I thought I wanted them to go, and started seeing what worked and flowed together. Then I called in a couple of friends who scrambled it around. After three sessions of scrambling, something that has now endured for over 6 months has evolved.
I've not used the train cadd since.
Just my 2 cents, worth nothing more.
Joe Daddy
joe-daddy wrote:Here is what I have to say on the topic.http://wwwjoe-daddy.blogspot.com/2006/12/train-cadd-friend-or-foe.htmlJust my 2 centsJoe Daddy
Here is what I have to say on the topic.
http://wwwjoe-daddy.blogspot.com/2006/12/train-cadd-friend-or-foe.html
Just my 2 cents
Good summation. I thought about some of those software programs you mentioned to develop my upcoming narrow gauge layout. In the end I bought Train Player w/track layer. Although it's not specifically a software designed for creating layouts (it's more for taking already drawn layouts and running trains on them) I was quite happy with the $80 spent. I drew the layout on paper, scanned it into track layer, sized it for my new layout room, created the tracks and ran some trains. I also used MS Photodraw to tweak my layout drawing after it was scanned as well as add room walls and people to see how it all fit together. Put that into Train Player and in about 3 weeks I had my design finalized and began construction on the new train room.
It seems like too many people get caught up in the technology rather than see it as a tool to help. I'd rather build and run trains for real than virtually. Of course it's nice to have that virtual layout to validate operating sessions and certain scenarios.
-G-
BigRusty wrote: If you are designing a 4 x 8 or similar layout with snap track or other ready mades, those will work fine. If you are planning a more complex model railroad with parallel tracks, yards, variable curve radii using flex track, spiral easements and custom made switches (i.e. Fast Tracks) then CadRail is the best track design software bar none. I have used every version since its inception, and it gets better and easier each time. For example, using a 36 minimum radius, I describe the arc of a curve, a few clicks later I have a 4 track mainline curve with two inch spacing. For a yard, draw a tangent, specify the spacing and a few clicks later all parallel tracks are located, A few clecks using the design ladder feature and all of the switches are added. The best feature is that when you are done, you can actually lay the track per the plan.
If you are designing a 4 x 8 or similar layout with snap track or other ready mades, those will work fine. If you are planning a more complex model railroad with parallel tracks, yards, variable curve radii using flex track, spiral easements and custom made switches (i.e. Fast Tracks) then CadRail is the best track design software bar none. I have used every version since its inception, and it gets better and easier each time.
For example, using a 36 minimum radius, I describe the arc of a curve, a few clicks later I have a 4 track mainline curve with two inch spacing. For a yard, draw a tangent, specify the spacing and a few clicks later all parallel tracks are located, A few clecks using the design ladder feature and all of the switches are added. The best feature is that when you are done, you can actually lay the track per the plan.
I have not used Cadrail, but XtrkCAD does everything you say.
FYI: Since FastTracks uses NMRA standards, you can use the NMRA trunout library without custom designing turnouts. But you can custom design turnouts.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
HEY! GET THAT CAPS LOCKS KEY OFF.
You'll find it's much easier to read.
karle wrote: SOMEONE ONCE SAID, SOME GENERAL I BELIEVE, "THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE TO A GOOD PLAN IS A PERFECT PLAN". AFTER 20 YEARS IN THIS HOBBY WITH WAY TOO MUCH TME SPENT THINKING ABOUT, DRAWING, AND STUDYNG TRACK PLANS, ABOUT 7 YEARS AGO I SIMPLY LAID OUT THE BOUNDRIES OF THE BENCH WORK ON PAPER, IDENTIFIED GENERALLY WHERE I WANTED CERTAIN THEMES RELATIVE TO OTHER THEMES , E.G. ENGINE TERMINAL, INDUSTRY, DOCK; BUILT THE BENCH WORK, AND LAID (BUT DID NOT BALLAST) A MAIN LINE. THEN I STARTED TO MODEL AN AREA, E.G. DOCKS, AND I ADDED T.O.s, SIDINGS, ETC BASED ON WHAT STRUCTURES I LIKED, BOUGHT, OR HAD ALREADY BUILT THAT "FIT" THAT THEME. I AM HAPPIER SINCE BACAUSE THERE IS PROGRESS NOW. SINCE MY MAIN ISN'T BALLASTED, I CAN "MOVE" IT IF REQUIRED AS I FINALIZE THE SCENE. THIS IDEA THAT YOU GET A CAD PROGRAM AND DESIGN THE WHOLE THING BEFORE YOU START IS NOT MY CUP OF TEA ANYMORE. THINK ABOUT IT, YOU MAY BE HAPPIER IN THE LONG RUN. NOT SAYING SOME PLANNING ISN'T A GOOD THING, JUST SUGGESTING YOU DON'T OVER-PLAN. THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A NEW STRUCTURE, DETAIL, OR NEW THEME YOU GET INTERESTED IN, SO DON'T OVER PLAN IT.
SOMEONE ONCE SAID, SOME GENERAL I BELIEVE, "THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE TO A GOOD PLAN IS A PERFECT PLAN". AFTER 20 YEARS IN THIS HOBBY WITH WAY TOO MUCH TME SPENT THINKING ABOUT, DRAWING, AND STUDYNG TRACK PLANS, ABOUT 7 YEARS AGO I SIMPLY LAID OUT THE BOUNDRIES OF THE BENCH WORK ON PAPER, IDENTIFIED GENERALLY WHERE I WANTED CERTAIN THEMES RELATIVE TO OTHER THEMES , E.G. ENGINE TERMINAL, INDUSTRY, DOCK; BUILT THE BENCH WORK, AND LAID (BUT DID NOT BALLAST) A MAIN LINE. THEN I STARTED TO MODEL AN AREA, E.G. DOCKS, AND I ADDED T.O.s, SIDINGS, ETC BASED ON WHAT STRUCTURES I LIKED, BOUGHT, OR HAD ALREADY BUILT THAT "FIT" THAT THEME. I AM HAPPIER SINCE BACAUSE THERE IS PROGRESS NOW. SINCE MY MAIN ISN'T BALLASTED, I CAN "MOVE" IT IF REQUIRED AS I FINALIZE THE SCENE. THIS IDEA THAT YOU GET A CAD PROGRAM AND DESIGN THE WHOLE THING BEFORE YOU START IS NOT MY CUP OF TEA ANYMORE. THINK ABOUT IT, YOU MAY BE HAPPIER IN THE LONG RUN. NOT SAYING SOME PLANNING ISN'T A GOOD THING, JUST SUGGESTING YOU DON'T OVER-PLAN. THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A NEW STRUCTURE, DETAIL, OR NEW THEME YOU GET INTERESTED IN, SO DON'T OVER PLAN IT.
ScottyG wrote:I was a newbie to these forums last year; haven't posted in awhile. I have been reading a lot about the hobby as of late. Amazing how much has changed since I temporarily phased out of the hobby when I went off to college 16+ years ago. I am considering using track planning software to come up with a plan for my next layout, which will be medium-sized and most likely around-the-walls, e.g. not a simple table-top design.Does anyone have any recommendations?Is this something I should even consider, or does this take some of the "fun" out of layout design?
I was a newbie to these forums last year; haven't posted in awhile. I have been reading a lot about the hobby as of late. Amazing how much has changed since I temporarily phased out of the hobby when I went off to college 16+ years ago.
I am considering using track planning software to come up with a plan for my next layout, which will be medium-sized and most likely around-the-walls, e.g. not a simple table-top design.
Does anyone have any recommendations?
Is this something I should even consider, or does this take some of the "fun" out of layout design?
After demoing 3rd PlanIt I think that seems to be the best, most feature filled choice.
However, I use XtrkCAD because it does everything I need (except fixed length easements..) and is FREE. It has libraries for all major track products for N-Scale (unlike the free version of RTS), I presume it is equally broad in other scales. XtrkCad got a major boost in the last version (4.02) when they implemented zooming with the mouse wheel. It was awkward before.
It took me a little while to get comfortable with it and its not perfect, but its FREE.
http://www.xtrkcad.org/Wikka/HomePage
Chris
Atlas RTS is the easiest I have seen. Now that I have learned XTRKCAD I won't use Atlas anymore.
Use the forum search and type in track planning software and you will be inundated with threads on this subject, some as recent as last week.
I prefer software to pencil and eraser, but some don't.
I've designed layouts with Atlas RTS, XtrkCAD, and 3rd PlanIt. I migrated to 3rd PlanIt and paid my $110 because of the 3D rendering. After using it for over a year, I used XtrkCAD (a free program) to help someone with a design. Suddenly I remembered how fast and powerful it was. I have not used 3rd PlanIt since.
XtrkCAD has a learning curve, but all the CAD-based programs do. However, their tutorial is excellent, but pretty much a must.
AS for the RTS (also free) I find it very limiting. This not just because of the fact that you can only use Atlas track. The way the program handles the track creates awkward spacing and limits what can be done. In essence, a layout designed with RTS has a lot of wasted space. One person I know has overcome this, but he's the only one I know of.