| Author | Messages | |
KCHahn
Longmont, Co.
Brakeman
Posts:76
Send Message
 | | 09/22/2008 11:05 PM |
| Saw it mentioned, but is there computer software available, for designing
G Scale track plans? Think it might make my designing a little easier!
Have roadbed finally down, for a basic loop in the garden. Gotta work on getting track down before too long.
But, would like to figure out some sort of track plan for later expansion.
Information much appreciated.
Thanks. | |
Keith
Life Member
Colorado Railroad Museum
www.crrm.org
Member
Rio Grande Modeling and Historical Society
www.drgw.org | |
| DKRickman
1st Class Member
Salisbury, NC
Foreman
Posts:376
Send Message
| | 09/23/2008 2:40 AM |
| Keith,
I've used and can reccomend XTrkCAD, which can be found at http://www.xtrkcad.org/Wikka/HomePage
It's open source, available for a number of platforms, and most importantly, does a great job! The interface takes a bit of getting used to, like any CAD package, but once you learn it, it's easy to create very detailed, complex designs, or lay out a simple design very precisely. It will even let you print 1:1 and test run trains as you go. | |
Kenneth Rickman - krickman1@carolina.rr.com
Salisbury, NC
If at first you don't succeed, use a bigger hammer! | |
| Dougald
Moderator
Foreman
Posts:461
Send Message
| | 09/23/2008 5:38 AM |
| This question comes up fairly often - check the archives for some more commentary on experiences of members.
Your question was asked in a straightforward way but unfortunately the answer is anything but. Everyone has different experiences and different starting expectations. I have used and cannot recommend (at least for my purposes) RRTrack though it may be perfect for others.
My goal was to draw for publication as built track plans and also to be able to quickly sketch proposed changes to trackplans. I use flextrack and handlaid switches.
RRTrack like most commercial packages assumes that a key goal is to determine track requirements for a particular trackplan based on commercially available sectional track. Accordingly it is based on track libraries. It does have a custom fit capability but if you are not using a track library, it is very tedious. It was essentially useless for either of my goals.
For publishing as built railroads, some other package would be better though I have not bothered to buy another to try it. For fast sketches I continue to use my handy paper pad and pencil employing the tried and tested John Armstrong squares method. This approach has been the de facto hobby standard for at least 40 years and I have yet to see a design software package even close to its capabilities and ease of use.
If all you want is to sketch alternatives, then I would recommend a manual approach. It's free, it can be precise even in sketching (read Armstrong's works to understand how) and most importantly the user interface is actually understandable.
Regards ... Doug | |
Doug Matheson
Manotick Ontario
SA #122 | |
| SteveC
Moderator
Engineer
Posts:1007
Send Message
| | 09/23/2008 6:17 AM |
| Doug, maybe the following might be a bit of help in explaining just what it is you're referring to. I know that the scale(s) addressed are not Large Scale, but that is just a matter of proper calculation for the requisite scale, however, the process would remain the same regardless.
Doodling by the squares
By John Armstrong | | | |
| Dougald
Moderator
Foreman
Posts:461
Send Message
| | 09/23/2008 9:33 AM |
| | thx Steve! | |
Doug Matheson
Manotick Ontario
SA #122 | |
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