What is the difference between using Autocad for Model RR and using
the CAD programs made for Model RR’ng?
Do’nt the Cad programs made for Model RR, have a library of locos, rolling stock, tracks, scenery etc., built in as part of the software?
How would you access all the Locos, Rolling stock, Track, scenery ETC. in Autocad?
I doubt there is a library of those items available for Autocad.
John,
Yes, the MRR CAD programs are made specifically for just that: MRRing. They have libraries with manufacturer’s structures, track, scenery, etc. or, at the least, foot prints of them. They are even scale-specific.
AutoCAD, or any of the other commerical “non-MRR” CAD programs, won’t have those kind of libraries and will be hundreds, if not, thousands of dollars more for what you would pay for a MRRing CAD program. You would also have to individually create a lbirary of the above mentioned items yourself and import them into your drawing as a block diagram.
Since the MRRing CAD programs are considerably cheaper, you might want to consider just trying one of them. Most of them can be downloaded as a demo write onto your computer for that purpose and you can make your evaluation of each them without having to committ to one specifically. 3DPlanit and CADRail are two of the better MRRing CAD programs.
Tom
If you are not a TRAINED AutoCADD operator or have someone that will teach you then DO NOT go with AutoCADD use a Model Railroad Program. I have been using and training for Softdesk and then Autodesk since Rel 2 of AutoCADD and I found that the RR programs where MORE FUN and easier to use. I use R14 with Softdesk and R2000 Auto Arch for the real nitty gritty stuff but use 3rd Planet (which Imports and Exports DXF and DWG files) in addition to the Cadd.
Unless you want a future as a cad operator then the RR programs are for you.
Last AuotCADD I bought was $5,500.00 PLUS add ons. 3rd Planet is $99.95. (get the full CD not the download).
I love Visio. Has anyone seen any railroad stencils for Visio??? That could be fun.
I use XtrkCad and am happy with it. Not 3D but can run train simulator and it is free.
As I use CAD on a resonably regular basis for home design and drawings I’ve been using the same package for designing my new layout. True - it doesn’t have all the track libraries but seeing as how I’m going to at least hand lay the turnouts - I don’t need them. It’s something I’m comfortable with and I don’t need to spend time learning other software, best of all - I can plan at work during my lunch break…
The software (Drafix CAD) - is no longer around in it’s current form - Autodesk bought them out, removed all the good features and resold as Autosketch.
Tim
Go with CadRail. I have both CadRail and TurboCad and I would never think of using the TurboCad for layout desing.
Folks, on the 3rd planet Yahoo group they said that they are shipping the FULL package of the prigram in 48 hours now. That is the best of both worlds since you can RUN the trains, export to AutoCADD to refine the bench work and room then import the changes into 3rd planet. the site forum said it was $99.95 plus the $15.00 ? for the DXF,DWG add on.
Just my $.02