seeing the other thread, I htought I’d ask if there were any “good” options for MACs these days? I searched through the board and found some older posts, but in a curory search, nothing popped out.
We do n-scale, probably Atlas for the next layout, if that matters.
Yes, I could do it on a PC and use some of the other SW, but I don’t do windows on the house, so why do them on the computer.
TIA
I am surprised you have not found mention of such software in previous threads because I have suggested one program several times. That is Empire Express by Haddon software. It is a basic track layout program that is easy to learn and use. Strictly 2D, but more than adequate for planning.
There is another called Railmodeller that is more elaborate.
I believe both have demos you can download.
Dante
I think if you play with it a little bit, you could get XtrkCAD to work on a mac. I know that there are windows and 'nix versions for download, and possibly a mac as well. Otherwise, you’ll probably have to convince a 'nix version to install on the mac (they are java-based I think…)
A quick check of Xtrkcad website indicates it is for Windows and Linux. Although Apple’s OSX is based on Unix, as-is Linux, I have never heard or read that you can make a Linux program run on a Mac. Nor a Java program (no indication that Xtrkcad is based on Java, not to be confused with Javascript, a language used for websites and compatible, I believe, with all operating systems). But - you can always try! Nothing ventured, nothing gained!
However, common sense and computer experience should indicate that it is not wise to force such issues. Try Empire Express. If that is not fancy enough for you, try Railmodeller. Finally, if you want a Windows program, buy a newer Mac with the Intel chips and at least continue the benefit of using the best machines made.
They ought to make more programs for Mac, since they have 8% of the market. I have a program called Railmaster or Railplanner I think. But you can only build with snap track.(good news, you can do it in all scales)
TrainPlayer/TrackLayer can be found at Version Tracker. I’ve used it and it’s not too bad.
I use Mac exclusively in the Shop since Mac is the Industry Standard for Graphic Arts and Printing. The machine that is used for the Internet is an iMac G4 (running 10.4.X Tiger). Then I network anything PC based to my PowerMac (running 10.3.X Panther). I run Virtual PC and Windows XP on the G4 PowerMac for customer files that have been created on PCs, and use Atlas’ Right Track on it.
I like Right Track and if you can see your way clear to wash… er… do Windows it runs decently although Clunky. (but windows clunks along to begin with anyway) GRIN
Scoot