I tried the Atlas version and it did not meet my needs. I just wanted a simple way to lay my track (N scale Kato) to make sure all the pieces worked OK in the space I was working with. In the end, I went with RR-Track and it met all my needs. It has features like landscaping and elevation changes but I had no interest in those features since my layout represents South central OK…aka flat.
As a 30 year user of CAD I also support CAD over pencil drawings. A one click save then modify or go back to your original is Layout Heaven. You will never look back!
I tried XTrack and it looks good for a freebee but like the above say you get what you pay for. There is a learning curve to any computer program and once over the hump you will never be sorry!!!
I use my CAD for everything under the Sun.
EDIT
CAD software can even be entertaining
Mel
I have done pencil sketches of layouts for many years. Nothing serious until now. And I have work on many CAD systems in occupations most of my life. So CAD design for HO design is the path to take.
I called 3rdPlanIt and they were very helpful at answering my questions. So I will be pushing forward with it and learning it and developing my layout.
Scarm is free to try with up to 100 track pieces. It’s no longer free to go beyond that. The price is fair. Also, there’s a model train simulator that can be used with it that is quite effective in helping to determine if your track plan will handle operations the way you want. It’s interesting to make up a 20 to 40 car train and watch it navigate the layout, or watch a yard engine make up those trains. With scarm this can all be done in a day.
Scarm is super easy to learn and will do everything you need to plan a layout. The other CAD programs are more powerful, no question. It comes down to whether you want to spend an hour learning how to use the software fluently, or spend weeks in training before getting your actual planning started. If you want the most miniscule details planned out before starting actual construction, you may find scarm a bit underwhelming. I find scarm so simple to use that I can try several different designs in an afternoon, view them in 3D, and then run train simulations on them to see how well they look in motion, as well as how well desired operations can be performed.
I save the detail work for the actual model railroad. Let’s face it, ideas are going to keep running through your mind even after you start laying track. Get a basic plan going with minimum radiuses, maximum grades, yard layouts, etc. Then go buy lumber and enjoy.
BTW, I designed custom furniture using AutoCad for many years. I learned nothing gets done while you’re playing excessively with CAD software, which is a trap that happens often. Find out what the client wants, get the correct dimensions, get the basic design, and start building. Modify as necessary. Nothing on a computer screen is going to look the same in real life.
The problem with trying to pick a CAD system to help design my layout is it seems nobody has any good video tutorials. Reading manuals is a pain with lots of trials and errors. I’m visual and learn much faster with training videos. Most I find are just sectional track layouts and skip all over the map. It would be great if one of these software companies had a complete comprehensive video tutorials that covers all layout options.
I find some layout plans that I like in MR that I’d like to modify to fit my space and operational desires.
I no longer have any of my old “drafting” gear and templates to do paper plans. I’d have to buy all that, if it’s even available.
Just getting very frustraited at the starting gate. I need to get some good training to get my design layed out (on computer is preferred).