Maybe we can start a new topic for listing only computer programs that we can use in Model Railroading.
It is not the goal to discuss the pro's or contra's of the program, the goal is only making a list of those programs
Just the name of the program, a brief description and a link to the web site of the product.
1. JMRI http://jmri.sourceforge.net/
/thread
big daydreamer 1. JMRI http://jmri.sourceforge.net/ /thread
I would argue that Rocrail is superior, but let's just say it needs to be right beside JMRI for the sake of avoiding arguments.
The documentation for it is far clearer and more detailed at least.
http://www.rocrail.net (no Java required!)
Other important programs are:
AnyRail: https://www.anyrail.com/index_en.html
XtrkCad: http://www.xtrkcad.org/Wikka/HomePage (Layout menu crashes the program on windows 10)
SCARM: http://www.scarm.info/index.php
Trainplayer: http://www.trainplayer.com/
Julian
Modeling Pre-WP merger UP (1974-81)
I have been using the free Atlas track planning software for several years. http://www.atlasrr.com/software.htm
For fun there is Microsoft Train Simulator.
I have really enjoyed using 3rdPlanIt's layout design software.
http://www.eldoradosoft.com/
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Loconet checker. More of a single purpose app specfically for communicating to and configuraing Loconet devices. Good side app to JMRI.
http://homepage.hispeed.ch/trachsler/
hon30critterI have really enjoyed using 3rdPlanIt's layout design software.
Thank you already for the links posted.
I hope that more people will post links to software programs that we can use in model rairoading
Empire Express by Haddon for the Mac.
Dante
Texas Zepher hon30critter I have really enjoyed using 3rdPlanIt's layout design software. Really? Maybe you can give me some pointers. I can't even get through the tutorial. I just doesn't seem to behave like they say it is supposed to. And the umm totally counter intuative way it does the curves, really throws me off.
hon30critter I have really enjoyed using 3rdPlanIt's layout design software.
Really? Maybe you can give me some pointers. I can't even get through the tutorial. I just doesn't seem to behave like they say it is supposed to. And the umm totally counter intuative way it does the curves, really throws me off.
I've been using it for years myself. Love the program. I take it you've never used any sort of CAD program before (non model railroad type)? One of the keys is which drawing mode you have set - under Tools, Options, Drawing Style there is Press,Move,Release or Click, Move, Click. I can't imagine the confusion that would result from setting it to the thrid choice - which allows both at the same time! I always use Press, Move, Release. So to draw a line, you click the starting point, hold down the mouse button, move to the end point, and release. Don;t overthink it. For curves, you need to select one of the connect options, either Direct or With Easement. I always use easements for track. Another thing that relfects on my use of CAD to just prove what I am trying to do will fit in my space rather than make a down to the fraction of an inch perfect diagram that I can trace is I've never used the next two options - connect direct fixed or connect with easement fixed. Those require you to specify the radius and if it's not exactly the right radius, the ends will remain unconnected - like having two parallel tracks 45" apart and trying to connect the ends with 22" radius - not going to happen. I let the program select the required radius and just set a minimum acceptable radius so it will flag it if you try to connect two tracks and the required curve falls below your acceptable minimum radius. Anyway, once you've selected the tool, just click on the end of one piece of track and you will see a red line. You don;t hold down the mouse button at this point. Now click on the end of the other piece of track, and this time hold down the mouse button. You will see the curve, red if it's below the minimum. Drag down along the track section and you will see the radius get larger. On the right hand side, if you have the obhject information turned on, you will see the radius and can watch it change as you drag the endpoint along the track. When it's where you want it, release the mouse button.
If the ends of the two pieces you are trying to connect go past what would be the outer circumference of the circle, it will initially show the curve as inside-out during the drag phase. In that case, while holding the left button, click the right button and it will reverse the direction of the curve. In the version I have, 10, it's pretty good about figuring out which way the curves should go - if I draw two lines that intersect in a T shape, and then doa connect with easement and click in the right half of the cross bar and half way diwnt he vertical line, it somes up with the proper curve, Likewise the left half of the cross bar and halfway down the vertical. So if you are trying the tutorial oval and it wants to make concave ends, just click the right button and it will make them convex where it makes sense to complete an oval layout. What they have you draw is more egg shaped than a pure oval, and so one end or the other ends up slightly past the threshold where it guesses correctly which way the curve should go. Practice drawing some straight lines at various angles to each other and then connecting them with curves, you'll get the hang of it pretty quick.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I use JMRI Decoder Pro almost every time I run the layout for various "chores" from consisting to making quick CV changes. A new version 4.2 was just released.
All of my design work was done on Cadrail V 7.11 from Sandia Software. It does everything I've needed and still runs fine on Windows 7. I forget when I first bought it but it was in the late 1990s!
http://www.cadrail.com/
Regards, Ed
Train Brain
CTI Electronics
Automation software for the Windows platform. Support for most DCC systems.
It wasn't obvious how to work the Atllas program without watching the video. Lo and behold it is based a freeware called SCARM. I have not downloaded it, only because I'm still watching the videos, but just eyeballing the list and they have about 15 different track manufacturers so you are not limited to Atlas. http://www.scarm.info/index.php
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Here is the correct download link for SCARM:
www.scarm.info/index.php#download
Other might be some of the nagging ads with big and shiny download buttons that should be avoided.
Mixy - author of SCARM and ATPS
SCARM - free and easy to use model train layout editor with 3D preview
Free track plans and railroad layout designs >> O gauge - HO scale - N scale
southernpacificgs4It is not the goal to discuss the pro's or contra's of the program, the goal is only making a list of those programs
I guess some just cannot follow directions.
Hello,
Are there only so little computer programs?
There must be more programs out there, I think for programming decoders, software to run your MRR, detection software, etc.....
Railroad & Company
http://www.freiwald.com/pages/index.html
Touch Cab
iPhone throttle for Lenz systems with the 23151 LIUSBEthernet adapter.
http://touchcab.com/
Online docs imply that RocRail can't use smart phones for throttles.....if that's correct, it's a non-starter for alot of people & clubs.
Incorrect. There are 3 mobile clients for it, actually
http://wiki.rocrail.net/doku.php?id=english#mobile_clients