Track Design Software

[Paudie Riordan]

Hi Everyone.

 

I am about to embark on Ripping out "Glyntown Road MK1" and start on "Glyntown Road MK2" in 2014. I have an Idea of trackplan now and I was wondering can anyone recommend a good track design software programme that might make the job a bit easier.

 

Any help or advise would be appreciated

 

thanks

Paudie

[Garfield]

Give Templot a try... takes a while to get used to but it's great once you get used to it. It has plenty of features, too, plus it's free to download.

 

 

Edit: The software can be downloaded from http://www.templot.com.

Edited November 28, 2013 by Garfield

[scahalane]

Any Rail is what I use and its simple and great. You can download the free version which will give you up to 100 pieces of track to work with. You could use this and design your layout in sections or buy the full version for €39 http://www.anyrail.com/

[BosKonay]

If using a mac, I'd recommend http://www.railmodeller.com/

[Dave]

Anyrail is the way to go Paudie, simple to use.

[DiveController]

So is there anything for Mac 2 years on since this thread??

[Noel]

So is there anything for Mac 2 years on since this thread??

 

Hi. If you install VMware Fusion (or Parrallels) on your mac you can run Windows apps (ie under Win7 or Win8). You will need a windows licence as well as VMware fusion both a cost but it runs superbly on Mac. Four finger swipe switches from MacOS desktop to Windows 7 desktop, and visa versa. It runs concurrently so none of this dual boot nonsense needed. I have to run some specialist map authoring software which only runs on Win32 so when I moved away from PC some years ago I found this worked really well. Its flawless. Two minor setup options for keyboard mapping and you have 100% Windows capability on a Mac. I recommend Win7 as even latest Win8 is still a pain as a desktop OS.

 

I'm will be installing AnyRail later this week on the MacBook, will let you know how it goes. Virtualisation has a cost but its a tiny fraction of having a 2nd laptop.

Edited August 31, 2014 by Noel

[DiveController]

One of the worst problems is actually getting a Windows OS as they are usually available as an upgrade only, i.e you need an exiting Win OS to upgrade. Usually expensive to get a full Win OS plus the software too but cheaper as you say

[Noel]

One of the worst problems is actually getting a Windows OS as they are usually available as an upgrade only, i.e you need an exiting Win OS to upgrade. Usually expensive to get a full Win OS plus the software too but cheaper as you say

 

Yes agree its awkward to buy a Win7 license. It can only be done on Microsofts website and you have to download the media image, but they still sell Win7 license because the corporate sector seemed to largely reject Win8 for desktop use (i.e. keyboard and mouse). Just about to try RailModeller on Mac OS this evening before trying AnyRail under VMware.

[DiveController]

How did it go?

[Noel]

How did it go?

 

Tried both RailModeller and AnyRail on my MacBook (AnyRail on Windows 7 via VMware). Both good, but I just found AnyRail a lot easier to pickup once I understood the difference between layers and heights. Layers it seems is NOT about track levels, just layers of scenery that can be turned on and off. Height determines track levels. Specifying heights to each track element that is on a higher level is a PITA. Anyway nice simple software. I'm almost certainly going to stick with AnyRail as I can't spare the time to read the manual and learn other more powerful tools. If I didn't have VMware on my Mac I would have been ok with RailModeller though.

[DiveController]

Appreciate the feedback, Noel. Waiting to go to a new iMac if I can since my existing Macbook is at capacity.

Kevin

[Junctionmad]

I'm working with templot at the moment , it's takes a bit of getting use to.

 

I going to try traxx 3 when the book arrives. Anyone tried it or previous version. That will be mainly to document the signalling etc

[DiveController]

Nope, but keep us posted as that'll feature along the way too.

[Martin Bergin]

I have used SCARM - it basic but free and gets the job done.

[DiveController]

Thanks, Martin. But I only see a download for Windows platforms. A couple of us on here are using the Mac platform and while most mainstream programs are available for Macs, most specialized items or those without global interest may not be may available for OSX.It's purely a volume issue, I think

[Dave]

I use Anyrail, it's very easy to use the full version is cheap to buy with regular updates. It's very easy to use flex track too.

[DiveController]

I'm working with templot at the moment , it's takes a bit of getting use to.

 

I going to try traxx 3 when the book arrives. Anyone tried it or previous version. That will be mainly to document the signalling etc

 

How did you get on with this for signaling the layout?

[Junctionmad]

Good. It has a few quirks. It also has no two aspect colour light signals.

 

See my limerick junction plan