General Discussion (Model Railroader)

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Last post 01-07-2008 4:19 PM by betamax. 9 replies.
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01-06-2008 5:27 PM
Offline joecool1212
Not Ranked
Joined on 05-14-2002
New Jersey
Posts 314

Looking at RR design software

I am looking to buy train design software.  Dont know much about this so, I was wondering do any of them have the ability to print out templates of the design or parts of it 1 to 1 for curves and turnouts?  Any other special features like being able to hop into a locomotive and ride your layout, or print out scenery from a library of images.  Any other helpfull features?  Any help with this will be appreciated.  Joe
01-06-2008 5:34 PM In reply to
Offline carknocker1
Not Ranked
Joined on 01-05-2007
Northern Ill.
Posts 438

Re: Looking at RR design software

Try the Atlas RTS7.0 program .

It is free and fun to use .
01-06-2008 5:43 PM In reply to
Offline deleted
Top 200 Contributor
Joined on 10-14-2003
Posts 2,096

Re: Looking at RR design software

Joe-I use XTrkCad.It is also free and yes you can run a train around your layout but in the end which ever program you use is up to you. I would check them both out so you can see for yourself what features each has.Bob
01-06-2008 7:30 PM In reply to
Offline joecool1212
Not Ranked
Joined on 05-14-2002
New Jersey
Posts 314

Re: Looking at RR design software

Ok. I downloaded both and will see how difficult they are to figure out.  Ill get back to you both.  Thanks.  Joe
01-07-2008 1:51 PM In reply to
Offline BigRusty
Not Ranked
Joined on 03-29-2003
Scottsdale, AZ
Posts 716

Re: Looking at RR design software

I have used CadRail for over 15 years. It will do eveything you want and much more. It is designed by a model railroader, for model railroaders.
01-07-2008 2:04 PM In reply to
Offline IDAHOSURGE
Not Ranked
Joined on 06-21-2002
Posts 59

Re: Looking at RR design software

You may want to look at 3rdPlanIt, there is a website, user info website, and two groups on Yahoo that you can also check out.  3rdPlanIt is what I use and am very happy with the results.

Rod
01-07-2008 2:15 PM In reply to
Offline Jetrock
Top 100 Contributor
Joined on 08-12-2003
Midtown Sacramento
Posts 3,214

Re: Looking at RR design software

I just downloaded XTrkCad this weekend and found it very easy to use. It is a little more bare-bones than the for-sale software, but I like it better than the Atlas freeware--for some reason I could never get that to work right, but a couple of hours fiddling with XTrkCad and I had it pretty much figured out--although there are a lot of features I haven't had a chance to try yet.
01-07-2008 3:02 PM In reply to
Offline joecool1212
Not Ranked
Joined on 05-14-2002
New Jersey
Posts 314

Re: Looking at RR design software

Started with Atlas software.  Spent about 2 hours with it.  Instructions not very clear could not do an undo, gave me an error message about not being able to write to a module or somthing.  Got kinda frustrated with it and gave up.  Will try XTrkCad tonight will see how it goes.  Will also try reinstalling Atlas to see if it was a currupted install.  I might want to compare these to the pay ones.  Will let you know.  Joe
01-07-2008 3:29 PM In reply to
Offline SilverSpike
Top 150 Contributor
Joined on 08-11-2002
Wake Forest, NC
Posts 2,878

Re: Looking at RR design software

Joe Cool,

3rdPlanIt  (http://www.eldoradosoft.com/) is the way to go! It will print the 1:1 templates you are looking for your curves and turnouts. Here is a link to a short tutorial on how to make the 1:1 print outs using 3rdPlanIt! And you can make up a virtual consist too and run it on your layout to see if there are any issues with track alignment or curves.

Cheers,

Ryan
01-07-2008 4:19 PM In reply to
Offline betamax
Not Ranked
Joined on 10-06-2005
Posts 326

Re: Looking at RR design software

 joecool1212 wrote:
Started with Atlas software.  Spent about 2 hours with it.  Instructions not very clear could not do an undo, gave me an error message about not being able to write to a module or somthing.  Got kinda frustrated with it and gave up.  Will try XTrkCad tonight will see how it goes.  Will also try reinstalling Atlas to see if it was a currupted install.  I might want to compare these to the pay ones.  Will let you know.  Joe



Be sure you get the latest version, available here:
http://www.xtrkcad.org/Wikka/HomePage

Click on the buttons, and be sure to try the tutorial, as that helps a lot.

And you can print a 1:1 version for marking the roadbed on the benchwork too.
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