I am considering purchasing one of these programs but really do not know if any of them will fit my needs…
I would like the software program to offer the following capabilities:
1 - Include a library of Walthers Kits & other well known manufactures such as but not limited to: RDA, Downtown Deco…
2 - Track layout library, hopefully it will also include a wide list of manufactires. I own Life-like power lock tracks but may consider upgrade to different product when ever time comes to actual building.
3 - The main purpose for this software would need to provide me with the ability to construct a track layout based on my train inventory items in order to visiualize my possibilities and planning.
So, is there such a software product out there available to fit my needs?
If multiple applications available which one would you suggest? I own a new Windows 7 computer with nvidia graphics card & AMD processor with over 450 GB space available.
Well, what you’re looking for is really layout design software. A “Train Simulator” is more of a computer game, like Flight Simulator, only you’re running trains instead of flying airplanes.
I would recommend XtrakCad. It’s free (Google it) and has a good library of track items. I’m not sure about structures, but I don’t worry about that when I’m designing the layout. The Atlas RTS program is also free. It’s a bit easier to use, but has fewer features, and the track library, no surprise, is Atlas track.
Take a look at 3D Plan It http://eldoradosoft.com/ You can down load it for free and demo the full version. It is a really a good MRR CAD. It allows you get “into” the layout and run trains. You can also get in the cab and run trains from that view. It has some of the libraries that you want but not all. It has some locos, steamers and cars. There are a few other sites that you can import more stuff from.
Since it is a true CAD program you can design your stuff. This includes buildings, rolling stock, etc. This is very helpful for it’s an actual CAD program. You can design your layout and the next one (there always seams to be a next one or a “what if”)
Like all CADs it does have a learning curve. It was the easiest of the several I have tried. IMHO it is way easier to use then the Atlas RTR or XTRK . If you get it drop me a note, I know of GREAT tutorial that allowed me to “build” my layout relatively fast.
It’s worth looking at. It’s a little price but well worth it for what you get.
I like using Anyrail. It has a trial is free to trial. I think it is about $50 or $60 for the full program but I was able to build my layout with the trial, as I used it mosty for sections off my main line to see my ideas would fit in the space I had/ get a list of track I would need.
I use XtrkCad… mainly because it’s free (and it’s the only one that runs under *nix), and has an exceptional versatility insofar as what it can do. I just started figuring out how to make the handlaid turnouts in it – makes for a lot more interesting track arrangements… just need to figure out why it always makes 1/4" long points, and exceptionally long closure rails…
Now i just need to learn how to handlay things right (which requires me getting rail, and PC ties… modelling budget got blown on a NCE DCC system last month, and I’ve got to put benchwork up before going much farther [:)])