it is very close, but not 100% on some parts. i can't save anything as a j.peg, so when i want to uplaod an image to a forum i have to print it out, an then scan the print and save that as a j.peg.Īnother gripe i have is that some of the pre drawn track pieces are not quite perfect so when you do a track plan, the real track parts are not exactly the same. i would like to see different formats added for saving the files, and some options for different formats it will open. it takes a bit of getting used to, and i have never tried to use the 'Z' axis at all yet. the first incarnation i had was version 7, but upgraded to 9 last year.
I still have some exhibits running on like 15 year old Mac mini’s and maybe only 1 out of 5 had to be replaced starting at like year 7! These are running exhibit and video systems like 12 hrs a day every day.I use cadrail from sandia software. I had to work developing on both sides of the fence for 25 years and I was so much more productive on the Mac side and with development dramativaaly lower bugs/issues and my software’s (and hardware) lifespan was so much longer. Macs are designed that way to be easy to get use to and easy to get stuff done. Never feels like bloatqare and I think only one time I remember a major redesign of the interface to scramble thing in your brain. Seems well supported and updated regularly with decent features additions often.
Yep it’s the easiest to use track planning software I’ve used. The Mac is also, fairly easy to get used to. It's a nice activity for doing while curled up on the couch. Playing around with RailModeller now on the Mac. Perhaps in a decade or two I'd be ready for something like that. It's above me in every way - ability to build, ability to learn, even ability to understand railroads. Once I’m happy with overall workings I then go back and start lining things up and connecting things and figure out the few custom lengths if needed. When I do rough layouts I won’t bother getting lenghts right to snap up everywhere and just leave some areas with overlapping joints or gaps or some misalignments. Over the years I started making notes and cheat sheets that helped a lot. It’s pretty robust but HI is a little wonky and fine if you are working on it for an extended time but coming to it new or after a long hiatus it always seems like steep relearning curve. It’s open source and still supported by a hearty little community. Xtrakcad also has some flex options, I’ve not fiddled with those options in a very long time though. I used it quite a bit over a decade ago and liked it but it was like using illustrator to do a simple drawing, at times the features could get in the way, but it’s been revised many times since I ditched maintaining a dark side machine. Been around a long time and loyal following by some profession layout builders. One downside it’s a one guy shop and a long time back he disappeared for a good while there and caused some consternation. Pc only and very robust with many cat options build in. it’s been my goto for a long time now as it’s stable and Mac and seems to have a pretty steady progression of development.Ī super sophisticated cad track planning software is 3rd planit.
Yeah railmodeler pro is pretty flexible, but Mac only.
The major feature is that the program features and ways of working are very different from common CAD packages, so one may have to be prepared to put some effort into learning how to use it. Needless to say, there are some downsides like it not being suited to the use of commercial switches, crossings and bits of track. There is a very active and helpful support forum and the program is offered with no charges but voluntary contributions may be made. Developments include work to laser cut sleepers ( ties) to aid building complex formations and to even 3D print the necessary rail fixings. Nice features include the ability to draw over imported maps and to “run” dummy vehicles to check clearances on curves. Originally set up for British standards it is now highly customisable. This is track planning software that is ideal for following prototype principles for those people who like to build their own formations, so transition curves and complex switch and crossing layouts are the situations for which it is ideal. If I had a variable piece then I could get close and close the gap. Currently using SCARM it's very difficult to get "ends to meet" so so speak. I generally cut a lot of custom track pieces. I'm trying to use a program to design the overall track plan, but I don't care about using the exact track pieces that I'll finally use. Does anyone know if any of the track plan programs allow you to put down variable length track.