i am interested in buying a cad software program to design my layout-
jan 2000 mr reviewed this topic - can any one email me this article or give me insight
3rd planit, 3d railroad design, anyrail, cadrail, raily for windows, rr-track, templete, winrail (for windows) thanks
mark
Google is your freind..
XTRKCAD and the price is right. The Atlas software is also free. Don't waste your money on winrail (if it still exists). Can't speak for the others.
To me, the article is way out of date. The products reviewed have either changed significantly or are no longer available. Personally, I can't see paying a $100 price for software which has relatively limited usefulness. I don't expect to lay out the plan 100% in the software, nor do I expect the actual layout to come out exactly as planned - I'm not that accurate at measuring and cutting, and I'm not that proficient with the software that I want to double the planning time to finish the last 20% of the design in software (which won't be built exactly as planned anyway!).
I use the software as a realism check for my sketches that are either in my head or with pencil. Can I actually fit what I envision into the space? Is there room for the planned structures and terrain slopes, as well as the turnouts? Are the spur, passing siding, yard track, switchback tail, and staging track lengths compatible with my intended train lengths? Do the grades come to what I consider reasonable?
Truth be known, I can draw layouts using graph paper, compass, and pencil nearly as quickly as I can draw them in software. The software prevents me from "cheating" inadvertently, and makes it easier to share designs with others (my other reason for using planning software).
For my purposes, RTS (free download from Atlas) and XtrkCad (open source) do the job at the right price. RTS is easier to use, but has only Atlas track libraries. XtrkCad has extensive libraries that are constantly being updated at the Yahoo user's group site.
Those who use the software differently than I do might well have different preferences and reasons.
Fred W
I happen to use 3rdPlanIt. While it's not at all up to the level of a review, I wrote about a number of different products here. I personally think 3rd PlanIt and CADRail are the best choices, though none of the available products is easy to use. XTrkCAD is an OK choice if one is unwilling to pay the modest price of the other products -- I'm personally too dependent on a CAD program to count on the open source model for updates and support, for many it's fine.
But for many people, the time invested in learning a CAD program far outweighs the money spent.
And for someone who is just doing one layout design for themselves, any CAD software may be overkill. Accurate templates and graph paper work fine, too. It's just harder to share and update.
ByronModel RR Blog
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
It's clear there's a common thread here: the "right" software depends on the user.
I use a combination: CADRail (v.4, I think -- probably fifteen years old) for laying out the mainline and roughing in some detail, XTrkCAD for details of smaller areas (yard throats, complex switching areas, etc), and AutoCAD for benchwork, electrical, any mechanical detail, etc etc etc.
But that's just me, and I know I'm weird that way. I also know that when it comes down to actually getting track down, everything will change...
I've played with RTS, and found it relatively pointless (my opinion -- I know others swear by it for what they do...) As a first foray into the genre, I'd recommend XTrkCAD. Follow the tutorial, RTFM, and I think you'll find the learning curve isn't too terribly steep. Just start off simple -- don't try to design the Empire State Building with it your first time out.
And, yeah -- pencil and paper are always a good option!
Peter
If you already are good at one of the cad programs, get the one based on that. If you do not know cad, you will spend more time learning the program than building the layout.
I used graph paper and then cut some curve templates out of masonite and just started building. I probably made less changes than those who used a cad (experienced users not withstanding).
Unless your primary hobby is learning computer programs and MRR is just a secondary thing, skip the cad and build the railroad.
I was recently looking for a simple to use layout package. What I wanted was to design the track layout accurately so I could a) order the right track rather than trial and luck and b) be sure that I was not putting strain on the track that would cause problems over time.
I was not inetrested in trying to design scenery etc.
I tried the free download trials of about a dozen and found them all to be complex, fussy, expensive, innacurate - you name it - until I hit on anyrail. As Loathar says - simple to use, zero learning curve ( I designed my first version within 15 minutes of downloading), and very economically priced. They have a demo - full version, but limited to (I think) 50 pieces. Give it a go. http://www.anyrail.com/
Good luck