Free trackplanning software?

[steinjr]

Im not sure how to get a map of the layout area up here. I think paint might be the best thing to try.

Or you can just use XtrkCad, if you are using that anyways - draw up your room using lines and distance markers, export drawing to a BMP graphical file using File | Export (there is an option on the export popup for leaving the check marks every foot on the axis of the drawing), and then convert that BMP file to an JPG in some way - e.g. using Microsoft Paint.


Smile,
Stein

[KevinKrey]

Im not sure how to get a map of the layout area up here. I think paint might be the best thing to try.

Or you can just use XtrkCad, if you are using that anyways - draw up your room using lines and distance markers, export drawing to a BMP graphical file using File | Export (there is an option on the export popup for leaving the check marks every foot on the axis of the drawing), and then convert that BMP file to an JPG in some way - e.g. using Microsoft Paint.


Smile,
Stein

You lost me already. This might take a while.

[Trains Winnipeg]

Something like this?


  ehs room.xtc (Size: 40.21 KB / Downloads: 44)

And the xtrakcad file. Feel free to design a N Scale Coal Road

   

[steinjr]

Or you can just use XtrkCad, if you are using that anyways - draw up your room using lines and distance markers, export drawing to a BMP graphical file using File | Export (there is an option on the export popup for leaving the check marks every foot on the axis of the drawing), and then convert that BMP file to an JPG in some way - e.g. using Microsoft Paint.


Smile,
Stein

You lost me already. This might take a while.

Setting up a drawing area - as big as room or bigger:










Drawing in XtrakCad









Exporting bitmap from Xtrakcad












Opening bitmap in MS Paint








Exporting a jpg from MS Paint






Then you upload your jpg image - either directly as an attachment to this forum, or put it on a webserver somewhere (e.g. Photobucket) and create a link to it.

All steps past the "export bitmap" has little to do with XtrkCad user gui, and can be replaced with any of a number of other ways to get an image from a bitmap to a jpg (image converters, screen capture tools etc).

I won't do a photo tutorial on how to upload images to the forum or to e.g photobucket right now - ask if you need one :-)

Smile,
Stein

[LynnB]

Hey Stein I wouldn't mind knowing how to upload images to the site,I'm geowing tired of servers.

[LynnB]

Kevin I opened up the file and found a rather neat twisted dog bone which is a very good start.I really only had a couple minutes this morning after nite shift to look at it but first thing I noticed is the left upper corner with avaailable realestate and I widened it some what. Are the bench work sizes accurate. Also are you intending to use atlas switches and what number switches?

[Trains Winnipeg]

Ah thread hijacking at its best. The plan is actually the start of mine, not Kevin's. Ironiclly my name is Devin though But yes the dimensions are within an inch or 2 and i plan on using the atlas switches on this layout.

/resume normal thread.

[LynnB]

Ah thread hijacking at its best. The plan is actually the start of mine, not Kevin's. Ironiclly my name is Devin though But yes the dimensions are within an inch or 2 and i plan on using the atlas switches on this layout.

/resume normal thread.

[KevinKrey]

Thanks for the help Stein! Ill have to look at it later though, tooo much to take in right now. In the last 58 hrs Ive gotten in over 37 hours of work, and am goin on no more than 7 hours of sleep. :| Atleast it will be good when I get paid!

[MountainMan]

The last time I fiddled with XTrakCad, it had an option that let you select a layout shape and specify dimensions. I don't seem to see that option on the "updated version. I also do not see a library for Atlas Code 80 track - only code 55.

Can anyone straighten me out? :?

[Squidbait]

The last time I fiddled with XTrakCad, it had an option that let you select a layout shape and specify dimensions. I don't seem to see that option on the "updated version. I also do not see a library for Atlas Code 80 track - only code 55.

I don't recall XtrkCad having the layout shape option, and I've been using it since version 1. Perhaps you've confused it with one of the other programs you've tried?

The Atlas code 80 stuff is in the atlasn.xtp parameter file.

Can anyone straighten me out? :?

A chiropractor, perhaps?

[steinjr]

Hey Stein I wouldn't mind knowing how to upload images to the site,I'm geowing tired of servers.

Bottom of screen when writing a reply - click on tab "Upload attachment"

   

Click browse, select file, click OK.
Click on "Add" to get selected file attached to forum post

If you want the picture in the text instead of at the bottom, click on "inline" to put picture into text editing window:

   

Smile,
Stein

[MountainMan]

The last time I fiddled with XTrakCad, it had an option that let you select a layout shape and specify dimensions. I don't seem to see that option on the "updated version. I also do not see a library for Atlas Code 80 track - only code 55.

I don't recall XtrkCad having the layout shape option, and I've been using it since version 1. Perhaps you've confused it with one of the other programs you've tried?

The Atlas code 80 stuff is in the atlasn.xtp parameter file.

Can anyone straighten me out? :?

A chiropractor, perhaps?

No such atlas file included in latest version downloaded.

I was thinking more like Viagra.

[steinjr]

The Atlas code 80 stuff is in the atlasn.xtp parameter file.

No such atlas file included in latest version downloaded.

File | Parameter files | Browse ?

Stein

[Squidbait]

Should be there, it's supposed to be in the package.

Should be in the folder XTrkCAD4\params. As Stein said, you have to browse for the parameter file and load it. If it's not there,