I am looking for layout design software. A demo would be great to test. I have used Atlas software and it leaves a whole lot to be desired. Every version of the Atlas software I have tried has has something that does not work in it. This new version I am using has connecting track problems and separation problems. It is free but a hassle. You can work for quite a while and something fouls up. I am almost resorting back to graph paper and pencil. What’s everyone else using or are they too using rts.
Right now I’ve just been using RTS to scratch out ideas as I’m still in high level idea mode until I have access to a train room in my house so it’s been good enough for that. I do have a more complex RR CAD software but have not tried to use it yet so I can’t say if it’s truly better or not…
I have heard other reports of issues with RTS V10. For that reason, Atlas has kept V8 available. Personally, I have used versions 7,8, and 10 with no issues myself.
I have also used XtrkCad, which has the advantage of having full libraries for virtually any known commercial track. And the libraries are maintained by volunteers, with files available at the XtrkCad Yahoo Users Group. XtrkCad is open source software, and therefore free to download and use.
However, using flex track is very different in XtrkCad compared to RTS. It takes some work with the tutorials (at least for me) to get the hang of designing with flex track.
My bottom line is if I am designing (or can make do) with Atlas track libraries, RTS is easy and quick. If I need Peco, W/S, or curved turnouts or HOn3 components, then I need to use XtrkCad ( and probably revisit the tutorial and/or help).
I like 3rd Plan It http://www.trackplanning.com/. It’s not free but you get a solid CAD. You can download the full ver for free and use it all you want to see if it’s for you. the down side is you can only use 100 objects at a time and can not save anything but that should be enough to see if you like it
I’ll send you little more info in a PM - now a conversation.
I’m currently using Google Sketchup, until I find another program more suited to the task. It’s not model railroad specific but it’s free and gets the job done.
I’m currently trying out the AnyRail demo. It’s really easy to use, the demo even includes a large number of track libraries in multiple scales. It doesn’t offer a 3d model like CADRail, but it gets the job done.
I use AnyRail myself: very easy to learn, especially for us artsy-fartsy dudes for whom CAD programs seem like something only Mr. Spock, WOPeR or HAL could work.
Great deal for $55.
Careful jumping too quick to the Computer, though.
Making a bunch of sketches on paper, doodling, drawing some scenes or gathering photos of what you want you layout to look like / feel like is a good place to start. This will help because:
AnyRail is a total time-suck: I’ve spent whole days just “playing around” designing layouts that will never be built, for spaces I will never have.
I’ve spent more time on AnyRail than Civilization, SimCity and MarioKart combined.
You have been warned!
But if you have a focused idea of what you want ahead of time, then AnyRail helps “keep you honest” with trackspacing, radius minimums, turnouts, etc.
No 3-D renderings (which is why it’s 1/3rd the price of 3rdPlanit) but a large track library, great tech support, ability to print 1:1 plans, and easy to use.
People seem to fall into the CAD camp or the AnyRail camp, depending on their brain wiring.
Really it’s what works for you.
I use the trainplayer/tracklayer software. I like it a lot, and now it even has a bunch cool ops features that you can use for your real layout. Here is a link
Draftsman beware: general CAD programs such as SketchUp are perhaps OK for drawing conceptual sketches, room shapes, etc. But they lack the built-in tools of model railroad CAD for precisely setting track-to-track spacing, making use of specific commercial or handlaid turnout geometries, etc. I have seen a couple of cases where what was drawn in SketchUp looked good, but couldn’t be fit at all in the real space – especially in yards and other complex areas. These layouts had to be re-designed from scratch.
Similarly, plans drawn in Trainplayer/Tracklayer don’t necessarily reflect real-life track geometries and may be unbuildable. Love the program, but it’s not the best for precision track planning.
If one is bound and determined to use these programs for model railroad track planning, it would be wise to leave some extra room to allow for these kinds of issues when actually building.
Did you know that AnyRail allows you to export your track plans to Trainplayer? You the just use the tracklayer module to clean-up the layout (mostly turnouts), and run 'em to your heart’s content. A great excuse to design layouts you never intend to build.
I really like the Anyrail software, but I’ll second the caution about trying to use software too soon. You need to know more or less what your plan is before you try to use software. The software will keep you from fudging, but it won’t design your layout for you.
I agree. I use 3rd Planit after having tried various demos of the other programs out there.
It has a steep learning curve and can be intimidating until you get familiar with it. But, imho, well worth the effort and time spent.
In particular I like the flexible design rules/constraints you can input when designing things such as curves/easements (in my case minimum 30" radius) and parallel tracks, calculating grades, etc. And the 3D visualization is extremely useful when assessing whether a particular idea “works” for a particular area.
At first, I tried RTS but didn’t like it. In fact, I hated it. Others swear by it, and that’s fine but I just couldn’t get it to work to my liking.
I now use Anyrail. It has different track libraries and scales. Flex track & grades work well with it. But I like that I can import a plan into Trainplayer and actually “run” trains on the layout. That gives a better idea of, say, if a certain length of 50’ boxcars will easily fit at an industry, if locating a crossover in a different location makes more sense, or other things tied to operating. It’s not the same as the real thing, nor can it render in 3D, but I like it.
Thanks everyone… I know free is free but frustration is still frustration. This gives me somewhere to look. I was about to start using graph paper an pencil again.
