Any updated comments from current users of this software for track and layout planning? Searching the forum some of the older comments from 2006 and earlier are dead links.
I have downloaded the demo and it seems pretty slick and easy to use.
Thanks in advance.
I have used it since 2007 and I like it. There is a Yahoo User Group forum and the people there offer a lot of help. I will say that there is a learning experience and the best way to get offer that is to go through the tutorial.
Rod
I use it.
Designed my helix on it and that's got to be the toughest challenge of all for layout software. It was dead easy.
It's also great on a laptop because it gives me a way to work on my layout (designing the next section) even if I'm a thousand miles from home.
Craig
DMW
3rd PlanIt Yahoo Group
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
dsabourneAny updated comments from current users of this software for track and layout planning? Searching the forum some of the older comments from 2006 and earlier are dead links. I have downloaded the demo and it seems pretty slick and easy to use. Thanks in advance.
I have been using it for a couple of years now and it is a *really* cool program.
I have used 3rdPlanIt for the design of my future layout and I find it to be a pretty useful tool. I have seen cautions from others about the pitfalls of CAD programs and I have tested 3rdPlanIt for the flaws they warn against. For example, one caution was to beware of whether or not a turnout would actually fit into the space shown on the CAD program. When I measured the actual size of a Peco turnout against 3rdPlanIt, the program actually provides a little bit of extra space for each turnout so it would seem that that particular problem has been addressed. I really like the 3D aspect because I think it can give you a good idea of how the layout will look. I also like the fact that I can draw up my structures to their exact size and test fit them on the layout. It also provides good information on grades, curve radius, etc. Now for the big caveat! I haven't actually built my layout yet so I might just be a little bit deluded by my impression of the program. Sorry if some of you think I would be better off to shutup until I actually put it into practise but I think I am being honest enough to add my 2 cents worth.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Thanks everyone for the replies. As a real world PE (Professional Engineer), I'm sure figuring out the CAD aspects will be easy. The great resources here on the web (this forum and the Yahoo Group) are really useful for getting answers.
The price though still seems a little steep at over $150 ... any comments?
Thanks,
My layout was designed with 3rd PlanIt and it easily saved that much in track errors alone. The CAD plan was spot on. IMO the 3d portion is where the value is at. The ability to see things that you wouldn't otherwise see on a piece of paper.
San Dimas Southern slideshow
If you look on my web site at the previous layout construction and design sections, there is a 3D renderign from 3rd Plan-It of my benchwork,a dn a phot of the actual benchwork - looks nearly identical. For the track plan of that one, I actually pritned teh whole thing full-size and traced it ont eh benchwork before layong the roadbed and track. I won't do that again - it worked well but was a huge waste of paper. For the current layout I'm playign more civil engineer, I printed the plan at a reasonable scale and am transferring critical points with a ruler. I'm not so picky that the track has to go exactly precisely according to the plan - the CAD drawing is mainly to avoid 'cheating' and making sure my minimum radius will fit in the space I have. Nothign is so close in tolerace that locating a turnout an inch or so to either side of the drawing position will cause my oepration scheme to fail or make a curve run right into a wall instead of going around the corner.
I've had previous CAD experience, so the learning curve wasn't too steep. I'm also fairly good at visualizing the finished product from a drawing. I've not gone as far as to actually add scenic elements, otehr than to test out a treatment of where the main level of the layout enters the lower level hidden staging - for my previous layout again, I think the 3D rendering is still on my site. Again, my primary reason fro a reasonably accurate CAD drawing is to make sure I can truly fit what I want into the space I have, no cheating on curve radius or drawing turnouts with too sharp a frog angle, or putting in parallel tracks with insufficient center to center spacing. The CAD keeps me honest. When I get aroudn to my liftout section to bridge the room entrance I may go all out and draw in the details and make a 3D rendering to help int eh construction.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Regarding the price, I realize that there has to be some justification for spending that much money but as others have said if it saves you from wasting time and effort and money laying track only to have to rip it up and do it again then it might be worth the investment. One of the features that I didn't mention in my previous post is that the program gives you detailed coordinates for locating each item in 3 dimensions including start and end points for each segment of track. It would seem that if you can use a tape measure then you can easily map out (reasonably) accurate positions for all your components be they track, buildings, roads or whatever. The only thing that I think is missing is transition calculations for grade changes in the track. One of the things I think you should also take into account is the fun of the design process itself. With 3rdPlanIt you can tweak to your heart's content. I started my design process on paper and quickly tired of having to erase or redo the plan each time I identified a change that I wanted or needed to make. I tried the Atlas freeware for a while but it had problems galore. By comparison, 3rdPlanIt is far superior.
Now if only the 3rdPlanIt guys would pay me for my support! Maybe if they are reading this they can kindly send me an updated copy of the program (I managed to lose my CD - duh!) Here's hopin'....
Regards,
hon30critterRegarding the price, I realize that there has to be some justification for spending that much money
I can't make your decision for you-- but I can tell you that from my own perspective its well worth the price. However, while I started out with the thought of using it to "plan my railroad", the way it has turned out being most useful to me is as a sort-of Model Railroad-oriented "calculator", by which I mean more of a "What If..." device that lets me quickly sit down and mock-up a situation and look at it from the various angles, check heights and alignments, calculate grades, etc. More than just "how much distance do I need to go from this elevation to that"-- I can set up a scene, route the track the way I want it, mock-up the structures, try out different elevations or arrangements, even run trains through it and look at it from all angles to see what I like. So far its been *really* good at helping me figure out what I *don't* want. And I've been using it to document my actual progress and keep track of the modifications I've made to the layout room (basement).
For me its easily worth the money-- I'd buy it twice! (And I actually have :-)
hon30critterNow if only the 3rdPlanIt guys would pay me for my support! Maybe if they are reading this they can kindly send me an updated copy of the program
I can tell you quite sincerely that the programmer (yes, it has been developed by ONE guy!) is very friendly and approachable. He is very good at listening to users, answering questions, and is generally happy to consider and incorporate (reasonable) suggestions into the program. I know that he's added a number of features that I myself have requested.
If you have problems with your software, you can post a message on the User Forum (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/3rdPlanIt/) and someone from 3rdPlanIt will probably help you out. They're all pretty good guys.
John
Thanks for all the replies.
Anyone had any credit card issues when purchasing this product/download ... how long does it usually take for the registration key to be emailed ... any evidence of fraud later on credit card used to purchase.
On the Yahoo Group, there was some discussion about miscellanous charges after the inital purchase. I clicked on the payment order page ... just payment by credit card no PayPal at this time.
I've been purchasing 3rd PlanIt software and upgrades since about version 4 via credit card -- never a problem.
David
If you haven't bought it yet, there are a couple of free alternatives - but neither do 3D rendering. RTS 8.0 is a free download from Atlas (http://www.atlasrr.com/righttrack.htm) and is very easy to use, but is limited to Atlas track in its libraries. XtrkCad (http://www.xtrkcad.org/Wikka/HomePage) is a full-featured 2D track planning program that is open-source (available for Windows, Linux, and Mac), and maintained by some dedicated volunteers. The libraries are constantly being updated by the volunteers, and there is good support at the Yahoo XtrkCad group.
I make do with both RTS and XtrkCad because I don't do enough layout design in software to justify the price of a locomotive. And that's really the essence of your decision. Will you use the extra features of 3rd PlanIt to justify the price?
I don't attempt or expect the software to plan my layout down to the 1/4". I use planning software as a "see if my idea will fit" tool, expecting that I will make tweaks and minor changes when I build the real thing. The other benefit to me of the planning software is the ability to share and discuss designs with other folks.
My first draft of a layout is a pencil sketch - perhaps on graph paper. Then I move to software to see if the critical areas will fit. I may add some structures on the software plan to get a better sense of how crowded things really are or aren't. And that's about it for the software. On my smaller layouts, I can manually count the turnouts - although the software will do it for me. I'm not going to build it all at once, so having complete track lists is a waste of time. When I have time and money, I buy more materials.
Your situation may be different, and you may need/want the extra features and polish of 3rd PlanIt.
my thoughts, your choices
Fred W
dsabourneThanks for all the replies. Anyone had any credit card issues when purchasing this product/download ... how long does it usually take for the registration key to be emailed ... any evidence of fraud later on credit card used to purchase. On the Yahoo Group, there was some discussion about miscellanous charges after the inital purchase. I clicked on the payment order page ... just payment by credit card no PayPal at this time. Thanks,
Randy, the programmer, had some issues with his email filtering. If you have any issues with your registration give him a call, the number is on the main 3rdPlanIt web site: http://www.trackplanning.com/ . From the web site, near the bottom, here is the contact info:
El Dorado Software is in the Pacific Time Zone of the United States. Our hours are 8am to 5pm Pacific Time, and you can also reach us by e-mail. On-line ordering is available here.
If cost is the primary consideration, you could download Google Sketchup 7 for free. Unlike some of the other offerings mentioned here, this 3D CAD program was not specifically designed for layout planning. It would take a bit of work up-front - for example you would want to make a library of certain common components like switches of certain sizes - but free is free. There would be no problem at all drawing an accurate train room, putting in tracks of appropriate scale, curves of a defined radius, elevations of prescribed incline, 3D buildings of scale size and height, and so on. Cheers.