I'm sure this has been asked many times, but I'm going to do it anyway:
What is the best designing software for a first timer? I've tried the free software from Atlas, but that one dosen't give you a choice of number 4, 6 or 8 turnouts, it only uses right and left snap switches. I want to find something that is compatable with HO and N scale.
Any info will help, Thanks
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
On the Atlas elements.
Here's a program that's real EZ to use. Not much learning curve. They have a free trial version and it's well worth the money.
http://www.anyrail.com/index_en.html
I use, and like, Xtrkcad. http://www.xtrkcad.org
Some swear by it, and some swear at it. It is free. It has a bit of a learning curve. I alsways recommend doing the demo/tutorial, then working with it a few hours, and then repeating the tutorial. Lots of things make a lot more sense the second time around.
In my mind it does everything I need. It will not do a 3-D rendering, but it does keep track of elevations and grades. It also allows you to create any elements that may not exist in the libraries. There are additional libraries available in a Yahoo! group.
Jeff But it's a dry heat!
I use 3rd PlanIt and really like it. http://www.trackplanning.com/ It does pretty much everything and you can place a train on your virtual layout and watch it go around the track.
Engineer Jeff NS Nut Visit my layout at: http://www.thebinks.com/trains/
Vail and Southwestern RR wrote:In my mind it does everything I need. It will not do a 3-D rendering, but it does keep track of elevations and grades. It also allows you to create any elements that may not exist in the libraries. There are additional libraries available in a Yahoo! group.
What's the name of that Yahoo group? I'm looking for some additional rolling stock elements for XTrk
Thanks!
gkhazzard wrote: Vail and Southwestern RR wrote: In my mind it does everything I need. It will not do a 3-D rendering, but it does keep track of elevations and grades. It also allows you to create any elements that may not exist in the libraries. There are additional libraries available in a Yahoo! group. What's the name of that Yahoo group? I'm looking for some additional rolling stock elements for XTrk Thanks!
Vail and Southwestern RR wrote: In my mind it does everything I need. It will not do a 3-D rendering, but it does keep track of elevations and grades. It also allows you to create any elements that may not exist in the libraries. There are additional libraries available in a Yahoo! group.
Cleverly enough, XtrkCad!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/XTrkCad/
Vail and Southwestern RR wrote: I use, and like, Xtrkcad. http://www.xtrkcad.org/Some swear by it, and some swear at it. It is free. It has a bit of a learning curve. I alsways recommend doing the demo/tutorial, then working with it a few hours, and then repeating the tutorial. Lots of things make a lot more sense the second time around.In my mind it does everything I need. It will not do a 3-D rendering, but it does keep track of elevations and grades. It also allows you to create any elements that may not exist in the libraries. There are additional libraries available in a Yahoo! group.
I use, and like, Xtrkcad. http://www.xtrkcad.org/
Ditto to all Jeff said. XtrxCad is the way to go. One thing he didn't mention is that you can create a 1:1 (actual size) print-out of your perfect dessign, use carbon paper to trace it onto your layout and you wind up with a flawless, derailement-free, perfect layout. Spend the time to learn it.
I gave up on LDS. The earning curve is too long, and LDS doesn't have all the capabilities I want. I returned to paper, pencil, protractor, compass, and erasure. Then I proceed with full-scale templates (like FastTracks) in the critical areas to see how things fit. Seeing how everything really fits (or doesn't) is a revelation.
Mark