Has anyone any thoughts about layout design software that works for 009?
This thread about Anyrail might help, also if you search around on the forum there's some other threads, try track plans, software, etc.
https://www.009society.com/forum/index.php?topic=4434.msg31104#msg31104
Anyrail supports most if not all the track manufacturers and in my opinion very easy to use. The trial version is a free download.
https://www.anyrail.com/en/download (https://www.anyrail.com/en/download)
Another vote for AnyRail. There is a fair bit you can do with the free version and it is the most intuitive of the software I've tried. I was happy to part with the registration fee after I'd been using it for a bit.
I use a program called Xtrkcad http://xtrkcad-fork.sourceforge.net/Wikka/HomePage (http://xtrkcad-fork.sourceforge.net/Wikka/HomePage) which does what I want. I am used to it so unlikely to change, but I think the most popular is Anyrail.
Unless you wish to build your own complex pointwork, for which it is brilliant, I'd avoid Templot. It is a steep learning curve!
Julian
SCARM is another package that seems to be popular. I've heard claims that it is more sophisticated than AnyRail but I didn't get on well with the user interface.
My feelings other than which software just 'clicks' with the user is that there is an element of the type of layout being planned and some software is more suited to the 'mega trainset' type layout with multiple parallel tracks, strict geometries (if not just set track pieces) compared to free-flowing track, other software is good for 3D visualisations and so on. Some has many more features than others but there is a lot more to learn (and remember). And then by itself there is Templot as mentioned, which really comes into its own for hand-laid track design.
My main reason for sticking with AnyRail is I can pick it up again after months, even years and not have to refresh myself with the essentials.
I really would like to make progress with XtrackCAD as the simple train movement simulator in it looks good for checking siding and loop capacities, shunting potential and so on.
I use Cadrail which is a very complex package, but something simpler would be useful, considering I often can go years without using it, by which time it needs to be upgraded and things I used to do are now done differently.
Does AnyRail handle flex track? Curves of various radii? The ability to draw a transition curve - which look and operate so much better than going directly from dead straight to 9" radius?
Quote from: duttonbay on February 11, 2021, 04:20
I use Cadrail which is a very complex package, but something simpler would be useful, considering I often can go years without using it, by which time it needs to be upgraded and things I used to do are now done differently.
Does AnyRail handle flex track? Curves of various radii? The ability to draw a transition curve - which look and operate so much better than going directly from dead straight to 9" radius?
Yes to all of those!
Going from the most constrained to the most freehand ways of laying track -
- It has track libraries for a wide range of manufacturer's set track, and if it doesn't it will be created fairly quickly it seems.
- Flexible track can be turned into curves of fixed radius and angle and then 'frozen' to make your own set pieces if wanted.
- A piece of flexible track can be dragged and attached to one end of a section of track and the other end can be dragged rubber band-like and attached to another section of track and the new section either smoothed using the built-in tool, or manually using the slider-bar type tangent lines.
- The intermediate curve is either a C-like curve or an S-like curve but if a more complex curve is needed between two fixed endpoints the track can be 'cut' at any point along its length and that point dragged to where it is wanted (and the process of smoothing repeated).
What it does not have as far as I know is a user settable transition curve 'equation' - it is whatever is hidden behind the smoothing function.
Thanks Graeme, I shall look into it.
Personally I've always gone for a pad of graph paper, pencil and rule for the initial plans (I've got books I've filled of those) then cheap wallpaper ("lining paper") for the full size mock up with Peco's points or photocopies / prints from their website of the same, though my most recent layout used hand laid tracks I had printouts of Keith Angus' templates...
No software (and hardware) to learn how to use, and I don't need mains power (or fully-charged batteries) to doodle - just a comfy chair and a cuppa (or something stronger).
I use the same method as Julien.
Draw out the plan in a small scale on paper, then use wallpaper lining paper to draw it out full size.
No software, just a pencil, a rubber, the point templates, a compass for the curves on the small scale drawing and a pin and string for the full size curves.
This simple method has always worked well for me, and also for many others going back to the 1930's!
I use the 'paper and pencil' method as well as I find it much easier.
The plan of the Moelwyn Valley Railway in this month's News was done using Anyrail, but was done after the railway was completed because I wanted a plan to put on the wall of the railway room and on the website.
(and, yes, my surname is spelt wrong in the News, but I'm used to that happening :) )