I know that many of you have had numerous experiences with computer train layout planning software programs. I am considering purchasing one to plan my next layout. Could any of you share about your favorite computer software layout planning programs? What are the pros and cons of the software that you use and enjoy? I am totally a novice when it comes to these programs. Any help of leading this model railroader on the right course to make a good purchase would be greatly appreciated.
I’d reccommend Atlas’ RTS or Sillub’s XtrkCad. They’re both free.
RTS - http://www.atlasrr.com/
XTrkCad - http://www.sillub.com/
RTS is far simpler that XtrkCad, although it isn’t as robust IMO. It focuses mainly on Atlas products, whereas XtrkCad has a fair selection of most major manufacturers of track.
[#ditto]
I prefer the XtrkCAD myself. It has a tutorial that wil show you how to use the program. My only dislike about it is you have to keep selecting the tool you want after each use. It needs to allow you to continue using the last tool used until you pick a new tool. All and all good stuff.
I’ve always used Cadrail 8 to design my layouts. Because I’m not trying to design a very large layout I just stuck with the demo version available here- http://sandia.stores.yahoo.net/cadrail7demo.html
The demo only lets you create a max of 30 objects so it can be a little frustrating. If I ever have to design a large layout I will pay the $59.95 for the full version. Cadrail is a CAD program so it has a steep learning curve, but after watching the tutorial and playing with it for a while I was laying track and having a lot of fun. The great thing about Cadrail is that it is VERY precise. You can also print out the plan in 1:1 scale and tape it to your benchwork for easy track laying. Here is my trackplan created by Cadrail.
I hope this helps!
CSX Fan- That’s a GREAT track plan!
Another popular one that’s NOT freeware is 3DPlanIt. Not cheap at $125, but it’s very powerful and has full 3-D capability.
Actually, I think there’s a “sticky command” option somewhere in the preferences menu which allows you to choose commands that will remain active after one use. I haven’t used it yet, and am not sure how it works. Will have to check it out when I get off work and have access to my own computer.
Yep! It’s under Options-Sticky. You can choose which commands you want sticky and which you don’t.
I strongly second the motion. I too cannot recommend Cadrail too highly. I don’t have the latest version but I have been using the version I use for a while, and I would have to say it is the most professional, highest quality track planner out there. I also agree with the comment about the steep learning curve; however, the vendor includes a very well done tutorial in the manual.
BTW, since it is a full function CAD program you can do plenty of things with it besides track plans if you want.
I have tried out several different layout planning programs, and my two favourites are XtrkCad and WinTrack:
[link]http://www.wintrack.de/[/link]
Both programs have pros and cons, it all depends on what you are looking for. They are also two totally different programs to work with, I haven’t found one single command they have in common (with the exception of standard Windows commands).
WinTrack:
- Easy to use, your first (small) track plan could be finished within an hour
- Full 3D, with lots of extra 3D-models available for free download, and a separate program to design your own models
- Large selection of track manufacturers in several scales, works fine with both sectional and flex track, and you can design your own turnouts and save for future use
- 20 different layers to work with
- Not freeware, but the demo is fully functional (Save and Print are disabled, I use the PrintScreen key and save the image as JPG to keep my plans for future reference)
- The English version has some bugs, I have both English and German versions installed and I use the German version even though I don’t understand the language
XtrkCad:
- Freeware
- Large selection of track manufacturers in several scales, you can alter existing elements or design new and save for future use
- Very flexible when using and altering flex track
- You can run your trains to test your layout before you build it
- Quite steep learning curve, but a nice tutorial
- No 3D
Anyway, this is my opinion. I suggest you try it out for yourself, and go with the one that best fits your need. And don’t forget, have fun! [:)]
[#ditto] What Ken said!
It has quite an upramp at first, but once you learn the “tricks” you can just about create any 2-D or 3-D design you want. I even use it to make non-layout drawings, once I drew a plan when I built my swing gate for crossing the aisleway.
Cheers,
Ryan
I’ve been a long time user of the full version of Cadrail 8. It’s worth every penny. I’ve designed several layouts as well as numerous buildings. Very user friendly once you get the hang of it.
I’ve been happy with Xtrakcad, for several reasons:
- It is free (always a plus
- It has a good approach to layers : you select which layer is the active layer - all items you add is added to whatever layer is active at the time, you can chose which layer(s) you want to see or hide (in addition to the active layer) at any given time.
- It display track lengths as you draw, and can display them on the drawing.
- You can add trains and cars and simulate train moves - to work kinks out of your plan
- Tools are helpful - takes a little while to get used how to place tracks in a sensible way, but once learned, it works good.
- Fairly configurable - you can e.g. change whether it will continue to put in new turnouts every time you click somewhere or whether you need to reselect the turnout tool.
- Good librarie of turnouts etc.
- Automatically calculates curves to join different track segments.
- You can easily set minimum standards for curve radii, track center distances etc.
Example of drawing from xtrakcad - this is a corner of a layout I worked up tonight, as part of a discussion in a different thread on this forum:
Whatever you decide to get - get started using it as soon as possible. And use it a lot - not just to design “the layout” - use it
In my opinion, the best layout design software is not software but Track Planning Tools. Yes I am bias since my company makes the product, but it really is a great set of tools. It does a lot for the money: turnouts, complete curves, even does easements with automatic offsets very quickly. Unfortunately, most software have quite a learning curve. With Track Planning Tools you take it out of the package, and it is so intuitive, you’re ready to start designing.
I’ve talked to a lot of model railroaders, and the vast majority us want to: 1. try out new ideas before we build, and 2. be sure what we think up is going to fit in the space we have available. Track Planning Tools does that. www.kissmethodinc.com
And it also does it in less time. By the time you get proficient enough to start using the software to design your layout, you could be building your layout if you had used Track Planning Tools. It is to scale. It is created to be used in O, HO, and N scale. And if you are skeptical on how easy it is to use, there is a Demo. Video available. Track Planning Tools gets my vote.
Frankly the learning curve for most CAD programs is so steep that I do not believe they are worth the effort unless you are building a super layout or have some sort of track planning fetish. I have used Cadrail and also use full size professional CAD programs in the course of my work.
Hi all,
For those using Macintosh computers, there are only about two major choices (and one that’s sort of planning software…) that I know about. One is Empire Builder, whose demo I’ve tried but found not very intuitive to use. That might change as they improve and add features to it.
http://www.haddonsoftware.com/
a second program I’ve not had a chance to try yet is 3D Railroad Concept And Design, (which used to be sold through Abracadata) now found at The Liquid Ate Her (yeah, that’s their name, I guess):
http://www.theliquidateher.com/3drrconceptanddesign-macintosh.html
From what I’d seen of their marketing previously, this program appears better for train simulations, and not as strong in the practical design approach (which I would favor). A downside of 3D RR Concept & Design is that it only runs under Mac OS 9 or the Classic environment (and must have printer drivers for that). No Mac OS X version so far.
The third program - which I’ve been using (and bought) - is RailModeller, found here:
It runs under Mac OS X, and is shareware (I recall that the demo/unlicensed version won’t save or print, but has all other features available to try out). For $30 (or 30 Euros) you get a license key, and they use Kagi to handle the payment.
RailModeller comes with a variety of railset libraries (various scales, including track, some basic structure shapes, some turntables, scenery, and even slot car library for those into that. The measurements can be displayed in English or metric units, though the Railset editor (where you can make your own libraries with special elements like your buildings, different turntables, etc.) currently only takes metric measurements. I’m hoping they’ll add English measurements in a later edition. The elements (like straight section, turnout, curved section, etc.) can be placed and you can add elements onto the ends (they can be set in preferences
All of the railroad CAD programs will greatly enhance your layout planning skills. We are all guilty of imagining too many turnouts in a given space only to find that it will not fit. By saving various renditions of the track plan you are able to see how different tweaks will fit and work. The learning curve is steep but the tutorial included does ease the pain.
Most have the capacity to run a train. This will let you test a track plan before you build it.
I am still using RailCAD version 5. With the more powerful computers now available the 3D options may be worth exploring.
ILL
If you are a Mac user, I highly recommend the RailModeller program. It has a wide variety of track sets in all the major scales. I have tried both the Empire Express and the 3D Railroad programs and I like the RM better. The RM also has an export function which has allowed me to test my layouts in the TrainPlayer Program. TrainPlayer also has a Windows version.
<>RM’s main drawback is it does not allow the reorientation of an object by just using the mouse to rotate the piece to the desired position. Empire Express has this ability. The only other problem I have had with RM is I found the degree of direction change on the Lionel FasTrack wye was double what it should have been. The RM folks made the change when it was pointed out.
For my last two layouts I have used Atlas RTS for three major reasons:
-
It is free.
-
I found that it is very rare that a layout upon completion (speaking here of the track laying process only) will be exactly like the computer generated paper layout.
Therefore, extreme accuracy of the software, at least for me, is simply a waste. The ATLAS RTS is more than adequate for almost all layouts. Why spend a lot of money for software. Buy more RR equipment.
- I am interested in getting my layout completed. You can fiddle with computer versions of your layout forever. This is why some people never get a layout started. Let alone finished.
I have used the Atlas RTS for three different N-scale layouts, now. The thing I like about it is that it is fairly accurate. The thing I don’t care for is the Atlas only track library; I have to fudge in a Peco curved turnout. The one thing you have to watch out for is that some of the Cornerstone library items are way off base, like the ADM grain elevator, which appears on your plan about the size of the rail car shed portion of the structure. I also ran into a problem early on with the layout general size part, which is done on an X-Y grid. So I just make my own table shapes using the line tool. I also like that I can just try out some ideas if I fee like it. Yes, it’s slow, but for a non-cad guy like me it works great.
Oh, by the way, I downloaded the Rt-55 freeware, which didn’t have one of the X-Y coordinate tracers. To get that to operate would have meant buying the the program. Like the high spikes on their code-55 track, I chose not to invest. There are other alternatives.
ardenastationmaster