Seriously thinking about learning one for the upcoming retirement layout. Seems once the learning curve is surmounted, exploring revisions, do-overs, et al, would be SO much faster and effective than in pencil n' paper (as I have used to design all my layouts for the past 40 years). Any program that could be of interest to me would have to have the following: * Peco HO (cd 83) Streamline track library. * Atlas (cd 83) track library. * Walthers/Shinohara track library. The ability to create some scenery would be nice, too. Any of you use layout design software? If so, what do you use? How do you like it? Pitfalls? Strengths? Please share your experiences. Thanks!
Check this software to see if it suits your needs. When I looked at such software a couple of years ago it was the best thing that I could find. Charlie
Yep, AnyRail has those libraries. One can download a free version that limits the number of objects that can be placed. It also has a ton of structures and scenery items.
Thanks guys! So you both use AnyRail? User friendly? Late last night I downloaded XTracksCAD, an open source freeware product that has a very extensive library, including the Peco cd 83 "Steamline" series. Below you'll find a link. How do you think it compares to AnyRail?
Anyrail is the easiest one to use from the various pieces of software that I tried. I would suggest downloading it and giving it a look to see how it compares with what you have already. Charlie
I've tried to use AnyRail and still futz with it. But my brain doesn't operate on the same level as CAD software, of any ilk, does. I remain primarily a pencil and template kind of guy.
That's why I like Anyrail. It seems easier to use. I don't do so well with all of that stuff either. Charlie
Thanks to all for you input, it is very much appreciated. Spent some time last night tinkering with XTracksCAD. Not very intuitive and so far, sort of mind-boggling. I have a sneaking suspicion that I could pencil up a 1.5" = 1' "Version 1" of the KC Lines faster than it will take for me to learn CAD for basic track planning. I may download the AnyRails demo and toy with it, though.
Over many years, I too have returned to pencil/paper track planning. I used AutoCad for the Annapolis layout track plan. Here's the lower of the two levels. I tore it all out over one sad weekend back in 2005.
Another one to look at is SCARM. Has big selection of track libraries, buildings, and a small train simulator as a added download. All available free.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE SCARM! It has HUGE libraries and I've never been asked for one red cent to download and use it. SCARM also has a 3D viewer. It's user friendly and easy to learn... and that's coming from someone who is not a computer genius at all, to say the very least. I can't imagine planning a layout with pencil and paper, but for music notation, I learned first with pencil/paper before learning to use software. There's just no comparison as to the amount of time the software saves me. Think of monks copying the Bible by hand, verses the way they're printed today. I would think pencil/paper vs. software would have similar results for layout planning. Here's some of my most recent SCARM projects.
