cuyama kasskaboose I've used the free Atlas tool and find it very enjoyable. It has a large variety of track libraries The Atlas software is a private-label version of SCARM. As one might expect, it only offers Atlas templates. The free demo version is limited to 100 objects and 5 layers, while the paid Atlas version offers unlimited objects and layers (but still only Atlas components).
kasskaboose I've used the free Atlas tool and find it very enjoyable. It has a large variety of track libraries
The Atlas software is a private-label version of SCARM. As one might expect, it only offers Atlas templates. The free demo version is limited to 100 objects and 5 layers, while the paid Atlas version offers unlimited objects and layers (but still only Atlas components).
dante ... Empire Express by Haddon. It is inexpensive and easy to learn although it doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles. I think they still have a free trial version.
There are older versions in 'download' -- 2.1 for 10.6.3 or better, and 2.0.1 for 10.3.9 or better. Unfortunately these load only in 'demo mode' with no ability to print, "are not supported by our new provider the App Store", and require a registration key from Kagi ... which you will be delighted to learn from the Haddon "How to Buy" page is 'out of business' and you're SOL getting it to run, sorry, well not exactly sorry, we don't care.
Coriolis and a number of other providers, notably including Microsoft, open up access to older versions of software they don't care to actively "protect" any more. Haddon's handling of the issue leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
kasskabooseI've used the free Atlas tool and find it very enjoyable. It has a large variety of track libraries
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
I've used the free Atlas tool and find it very enjoyable. It has a large variety of track libraries and the learning curve's not too steep. The flex track is quite realistic also.
MikeN8FWDWhat is the best computer program for the design of a layout? What are the pros and cons please. ThankYou, Big Mike
Hi Big Mike,
I'll suggest investing in 3rd PlanIt even though you may only use it for one layout. I have been using it for years, and I have designed three layouts with it. The first never got built because of my back problems, but 3rd Planit allowed me to correct multiple newbie mistakes in the design without being buried in waste paper and eraser crumbles.
The second is alive and well at the Barrie Allandale Railway Modellers. It is 20' x 25' with 600' of track and 100 turnouts, and 3rd PlanIt allowed it to be built almost exactly to plan. It works great. I was able to generate dozens of drawings showing benchwork construction details including the placement of crossmembers so as to avoid interference with Tortoise machines, cookie cutter subroadbed cutting patterns, and the construction details for long curved bridges just to name a few.
The third layout is under construction in my garage but every detail has been worked out from the benchwork design to the track plan to the wiring (subject to minor modifications of course). I have even been able to use 3rd PlanIt recently to create some really good looking control panel face plates. Here is a link to my layout building thread:
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/281323.aspx
Many people advocate working with graph paper and a pencil, and that method has definitely produced some excellent layouts. However, if you want to be able to fine tune and/or play with your plan without going through tons of graph paper, pencils and erasers, 3rd PlanIt is really worth considering. It is about half the price of a DCC locomotive, and it will give you far more mileage than any locomotive could IMHO.
For me, 3rd Planit is as entertaining as the rest of the hobby is.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I find Anyrail was the best for me. I find it easy enough to learn, and yet has a lot of features I like. Has all the diferent manufacters switches and flex track.
I also like that you can curve the flex track to any raius, fairly easy.
I didn't use any of the scenery features, just bencwork and trackwork.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
This page from the Layout Design SIG Primer has some discussion of the currently available programs about two-thirds of the way down the page, including links to their various sites. Of the most popular programs, the AnyRail and 3rd PlanIt user interfaces seem more like familiar Windows programs to me (click-and-drag), while CADRail and SCARM are more like CAD program user interfaces (click-drag-click). There are fewer options for native operation on Mac, RailModeller is probably the most popular.
I’ve used 3rd PlanIt to design a couple of hundred layouts for others and it works well for me. But if you are only designing one layout for yourself, the learning curve of any program is the biggest investment. Other to-scale hand-drawing techniques might be more efficient for a single layout.
Good luck with your layout.
Byron
Edit: I should have mentioned Open-Source XTrackCAD as one of the popular porgrams with a CAD-like interface.
Before you buy anything, download the free version (trial) of Anyrail. I used CAD at work for years and the hobby CAD programs drove me crazy in the ways they changed some of the basic concepts of using CAD. Better for me to start with something totally different than try to remember the differences while I'm busy running the program.
I find Anyrail to be the eaisiest of the track planning programs to use.
Whatever you go for, try several of the free versions before you buy.
Don
Users of 3DPlanIt may have advice on using that approach; it may be 'hard to beat' a CAD approach that is purpose-designed for layout design and development for 'hobbyists' and not just computer-design people. As far as I know the Eldorado Software company still provides this 'new', and even older versions should run in emulation if your budget is tight. (I have no commercial interest with them and don't actively use any CAD for layout design so this is for options only -- those with firsthand experience will advise you.)
It can be surprising how much a good interface can make a program useful for specific purposes.
If you have any CAD experience DesignCAD or TurboCAD are affordable. I started in CAD in 1984 with ProDesign I and found it rather easy going with newer upgrades as they became available. Going into CAD from scratch has a tough learning curve.
Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
What is the best computer program for the design of a layout?
What are the pros and cons please. ThankYou,
Big Mike