Im still going over my trackplan details, and cant get it nailed down, Ive seen some nice layouts drawn up on software but dont care to drop the cash on one, and was wondering if anybody has ever seen or used a free program. Also out of curiousity, Ive changed my space from the lsat time I asked for help, and was wondering if anybody would care to try drawing something up for me to help me along.

I've used xtracad track software, it would take a bit to learn but 90% of it is the want to learn and the other 10% is practie and input from here.

This is my current layout being built, and is drawn in XTrkCad. There is a runable file available if anyone with the program wants to do some armchair switching, send me an email address. It is based on the Erie RR Harlem yard in New York, probably the smallest full-size yard in NY City

Another vote for Xtrkcad

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XtrakCad is a good program with a very steep learning curve. The biggest problem with that is that many planners lose interest in their layout planning due to the sheer frustration of having to learn an architectural drawing program from the ground up.

Another drawback is that since XtrakCad went totally free, it no longer upgrades it's library or software; therefore new items that have occurred over the past years are not available within the program.

MountainMan Wrote:XtrakCad is a good program with a very steep learning curve. The biggest problem with that is that many planners lose interest in their layout planning due to the sheer frustration of having to learn an architectural drawing program from the ground up.

Exactly what happened to me. It's a pencil and paper for me, thank you.

MountainMan Wrote:XtrakCad is a good program with a very steep learning curve. The biggest problem with that is that many planners lose interest in their layout planning due to the sheer frustration of having to learn an architectural drawing program from the ground up.

Another drawback is that since XtrakCad went totally free, it no longer upgrades it's library or software; therefore new items that have occurred over the past years are not available within the program.

Umm - Xtrakcad certainly has a steep learning curve.

But it is still being updated - there is a group of volunteers who keep working on it - you find e.g. new parameter files over at the Yahoo XtrkCad group, and there are new versions released from time to time from sourceforge.

Current release is 4.03a, which was released on July 8th 2009, and can be downloaded from SourceForge, e.g. via the project homepage at http://www.xtrkcad.org/Wikka/HomePage .

According to the sourceforge project page, last set of small fixes was checked in 8 days ago.

Smile,
Stein

As Stein says, the XTrkCad program is being updated continuously - I am a moderator on that group, and people are posting new track upgrades etc all the time - you will also find roling strock upgrades, and the runable file that I mostentioned above, includes 2 boxcab locos a 44 tonner and a 45 tonner that can be exported and used in your own layouts. There are also tutorials available which were originally on the layout party site (long discontinued but still available), to help make the learning curve easier - like all programs it has one or two idiosyncrasies, but the learning curve isn't particularly steep. there is also a very basic tutorial, written by me HERE , together with links to the Layout party tutorials

I practiced medicine for thirty years. I have also worked construction and built structures. The learning curve in med school was easier than XtrakCad. Some people take to it - most don't. It's a CAD program designed to be used by folks with an affinity for that sort of thing.

The purpose of track planning software is to take the work out of planning, not to require learning a whole new difficult skill set. XtrakCad made track planning more work for me than just doing it the old fashioned way with a pencil and paper.

For roughing out a plan, I use one of the free downloads that uses sectional track libraries to give me a fast picture of what's possible and what isn't, and then fine tune the actual trackage as the layout is built. Lots of people have l;ots of reasons why that is a bad idea, but it works for me, especially since ideas and modifications occur to me as I work.

MountainMan Wrote:For roughing out a plan, I use one of the free downloads that uses sectional track libraries to give me a fast picture of what's possible and what isn't, and then fine tune the actual trackage as the layout is built. Lots of people have lots of reasons why that is a bad idea, but it works for me, especially since ideas and modifications occur to me as I work.

"but it works for me, " 'Nuff said. That is what this hobby is all about.
Yes, I used AutoCad to post the plan of my modules, in my "New modules" thread. I didn't use it to "plan the layout" of the modules.....that was done in my mind's eye.
As to the "steep learning curve"? Bring it on! Learning is living, and I do enjoy a steep learning curve.....I wouldn't be able to research projects if I didn't (I've spent seven years trying to resolve detail issues with the N.Y. Pilot schooner "Phantom" project). The longer it takes to learn something, the longer it stays in my memory.
The "old addage" "Easy come-easy go" applies.
I look at a steep learning curve as a refreshing challenge, actually separate from the project that required the learning. Frustrating? Needing time and effort? Yes!
But it works for me.

Okay...so maybe I'm not the sharpest tool in the tool box...I use Atlas' free layout designing program. It isn't hard to learn, and is a bit quirky, but I like it. And did I mention it's free??

Sumpter250 Wrote:

MountainMan Wrote:For roughing out a plan, I use one of the free downloads that uses sectional track libraries to give me a fast picture of what's possible and what isn't, and then fine tune the actual trackage as the layout is built. Lots of people have lots of reasons why that is a bad idea, but it works for me, especially since ideas and modifications occur to me as I work.

"but it works for me, " 'Nuff said. That is what this hobby is all about.
Yes, I used AutoCad to post the plan of my modules, in my "New modules" thread. I didn't use it to "plan the layout" of the modules.....that was done in my mind's eye.
As to the "steep learning curve"? Bring it on! Learning is living, and I do enjoy a steep learning curve.....I wouldn't be able to research projects if I didn't (I've spent seven years trying to resolve detail issues with the N.Y. Pilot schooner "Phantom" project). The longer it takes to learn something, the longer it stays in my memory.
The "old addage" "Easy come-easy go" applies.
I look at a steep learning curve as a refreshing challenge, actually separate from the project that required the learning. Frustrating? Needing time and effort? Yes!
But it works for me.

It does indeed, but would you spend years learning to play a musical instrument merely to enjoy listening to a symphony?

I have mastered enough difficult skills in my lifetime. My hobby is meant to be relaxation and enjoyment, not frustration caused by my realization that I am "XtrakCad challenged." :?

If you need to have your life saved, I'm your man - if you need something figured out on XtrakCad, you're on your own. I'm only building a layout, not looking for a new profession. 8-)

What I found to be a real asset once I learned the xtracad software was for one you could run trains in the software with as many trians as you liked and test out the operations possibilities as well as when all was said and done you could print your track plan and lay it out on the benchwork then lay roadbed and rail ontop of the plan.

MountainMan Wrote:It does indeed, but would you spend years learning to play a musical instrument merely to enjoy listening to a symphony?

I have mastered enough difficult skills in my lifetime. My hobby is meant to be relaxation and enjoyment, not frustration caused by my realization that I am "XtrakCad challenged." :?

Well, the fact that you found XtakCad very hard to learn does not mean that most people will be unable to learn to use it, or that most people will need to spend years to learn to use it at a sufficient level to do what you claim to be doing in that other program you use - doing a rough "will it fit" sketch.

For that you only need to learn how to go to the file menu, choose the parameter file for Atlas sectional track (or whatever kind of track you are using) and deselect other parameter files, and then click where on the layout you want the various pieces of sectional track.

Or to use three buttons on the tool menu - as in "circle track tool" - enter desired radius and click where you want it, "straight line tool" - click and drag where you want the track, "parallel track tool" to put a second line next to the first. That will allow you to see if curves will fit and how close together you can fit tracks.

Not exactly brain surgery. But by all means - if it doesn't work for you and you have an alternate way that works for you, then do it the other way.

Smile,
Stein

I am CAD literate... very. And, the thought of being able to simulate trains on your layout before building it intrigued me. Even though mine is mostly on it's way, I thought there might be some way of getting my current .dwg into Xtrkcad and playing with it. So I tried to download it right now just to see what everyone was talking about and ended up getting a bunch of error messages. Guess I'll pass.