for years, I have always drawing, with pencil, what I wanted in terms af a layout.
I want to now try using layout planning software. Can anyone suggest some good software?
thanks, MJC
Atlas RTS is a free download from www.atlasrr.com
You get slightly more than you pay for. [:)]
Hi bcammack
Is the free Atlas software any good?
Brett,
Too funny! I’ve played around with RTS and it really isn’t that bad. It’s a cheap way to see if computer planning is something one wants to get into. While it has plenty of limitations, the learning curve needed to successfully use the program isn’t that bad. I would think that if a person finds RTS difficult to use, then the others would be also.
Dave
It’s pretty decent, but of course it doesn’t have anything other than Atlas track in its database. I tried it, but since I needed to use some curved and other size (#5) turnouts, I tried both CadRail and 3rd PlanIt (both have free demos you can download). I ended up going with 3rd PlanIt, and I’m not sorry I did – it has less of a learning curve than CadRail, and made it pretty simple to do multiple iterations of the layout before I settled on a plan that worked for me.
Another nice feature the high-end programs have that I didn’t find in the Atlas software is the ability to define the sub-roadbed, show it on the screen, and more important print it out on a 1:1 scale so you can use it as templates for cutting the wood if you’re using open-grid benchwork.
So the best advice is to download all three, try them out, and see which one you like best.
A big problem with the Atlas Right Track software that I encountered is the question of accuracy of scale. I used RTS to design the Cochise & Western Model Railroad Club’s 20x40-foot HO scale layout. We soon discovered that what appeared on paper didn’t necessarily fit when actual track was laid – radiuses that looked right on screen and on paper didn’t fit, so a lot of modifications to the plan had to be made as we laid track.
3d Planit gets my vote. I have had it over a year and continue to get the results I need. Very accurate and has a very good step by step tutorial. The included book is easy to understand and complete. I am always making changes and adjustments as I go along and it’s so easy with this software. Many extra drawing tools and features to use including 3d.
$99.95 and worth every penny.
REX
I tried all the free demos and settled on 3PI. I’d suggest trying them all, usually a free download off the web. Whichever feels good, get it.
I used the Atlas RTS for my layout and it worked out fine. It got the basics done: A scalable track plan and a list of track needed for the layout.
Both were close enough for a modest layout. I think that I might have spent too much “engineering” time if I had use some of the more advanced track planning software. If I ever build a large layout I may try something else.
I’ve stated before that I use 3rd Planit and agree with rexhea that it is worth every penny. After running through the tutorials I was able to draw a room sized, 2 level layout in less than an hour. I find myself trying different ideas in the same space, and can even run trains and see how the set-up will operate. It is also nice to be able to really see how many cars will fit in the sidings (rather than the old fudge factor on paper). You can print out the plan any size up to 1:1. You can set your minimums for curves, inclines, clearances, etc and then the program will check what you do both while you work and when you are done to be sure the plan lives up to them. I was using template and paper. Would never go back (well, sometimes in boring meetings I do doodle, but the good doodles are tried out on the computer).
I have been using XTrkCad from Sillub Technologies and am very happy with it.
I use CADRAIL and wouldn’t think of using anything else – use it for layout work, structure plans, home remodeling, and laboratory layouts. Anything that needs an accurate plan.
John
I have used both AutoCad, CadRail and 3rdPlanit and strongly recommend 3rdPlanit. It is easy to use, has a very complex layout checking routine that checks radius, elevations, clearances etc. Much better to know this at design time! Only problem I had with 3rdPlanIt was stiching together two terrain sections, never could get this to work. I have also found 3rdPlanIt very responsive when it comes to support, ask a question and the answer is there within a day or two.
Jumping into the hobby again after many years of absence I am looking at the software route to design a new layout. Does anyone know of a decent track planning software application that works on the Mac OS X platform? Unfortunately (or fortunately on how you feel:) the OS X Apple computers are all I have on hand here at home and at my business.
TIA
Dave
[Dave,
Unfortunately, the options for the Mac do not compete well with the best on the PC. Some people claim to have coaxed 3rd PlanIt or CADrail to work with a PC emulator package on the Mac, but that’s never been successful for me – and I gave it a good try. If you are running Linux on the Mac, XtrakCad might be worth exploring.
I’ve placed a brief report on the various packages on my website:
www.modelrail.us/id14.html
If you are only planning to design a single layout, you’ll want to balance the learning curve of any CAD software vs. the undeniable benefits. I design a lot of layouts and use 3rd PlanIt – for me it’s worth it – but the learning curve was long and steep, and I still would not say that I have mastered the program at all.
regards,
Byron
quote]Originally posted by dthurman
Jumping into the hobby again after many years of absence I am looking at the software route to design a new layout. Does anyone know of a decent track planning software application that works on the Mac OS X platform? Unfortunately (or fortunately on how you feel:) the OS X Apple computers are all I have on hand here at home and at my business.
[/quote]
My club’s layout was designed in 3rd planit and we’ve all been surprised by how close the actual trackwork came to the plans. I haven’t been able to use it myself, since I run linux and I couldn’t get the demo to run under WINE. The club member who did most of that work says it’s an amazing program, but that there’s a rather steep learning curve.
Right now we’re working on designing our yard, and we actually got to test-run some trains on it in software before we even have the benchwork in.
mirrodie,
Go download the ATLAS RTS software from http://www.atlasrr.com. Try it out and see if that is the way you want to go. (Doesn’t cost you a cent other than your time. There’s still nothing wrong with using pencil and paper.)
As has already been mentioned, ATLAS’s RTS is limited in what it can do but will give you a feel for drawing in CAD. The other software packages are more sophisticated and will definitely give you more variety and realism as you design your layout. (Some even have a simulator to check out your design for flaws.)
The Atlas software has been good for me so far, giving me the ability to quickly bang out my new layout ideas and to understand how pieces of track fit together and what combinations work and don’t work.
Tom
Cuyama
I did find a site that has a Mac OS X version, it’s a shareware, www.railmodeller.com I am not sure if i want to kick $30.00 US to them but may, what’s thirty dollars now a days? As for the Linux yes OS X is a BSD build so may I can try the CAD software, pretty good at picking up on new software usage, we used to do reviews on software for the Mac.
I appriciate to feedback.
Dave
[/quote]
I tried running the Atlas software but got a message from Windows XP that it was unable to run this 16 bit application. I assume people running this app are not using XP. True?
LeisurePursuits,
Yep. I’m running Windows 98 on my computer. Do you have an older computer that you might be able to run the software on?
Tom