I still use cadrail and have even used it to draw a backyard deck. Xtrkcad model rr track planner list xtrkcadforkdevelopers. You can model every fine detail in your layout using the software including, but not limited to terrain changes and height. The average home builder could go his or her entire life without drawing a line in cad, but itd be a shame. I also compared your program to cadrail and i was amazed at the quality difference. Some have used autocad an expensive general purpose cad program for model railroad design. Prototype drawings and images if this is your first visit, be sure to check out the faq by clicking the link above. This pc tool can operate with the following extension. Maybe im just used to 3rd planit, but it seems much more difficult to get smooth curves with transitions in xtrack. So i thought it would be fitting that i would inlcude my answers in the tutorial format here on my own website. Im trying to decide whether to purchase the new version or get the new version of cadrail.
These are located in the my documents cadrail 10 drawings folder that was created when you installed cadrail. I don\t envision myself using 3d modeling and operation on the software, but plan to use it primarily for the track schematics and it\s ease of useredesign for yards, curves, etc. The actual developer of the program is sandia software. The demo includes 1 track library and the tutor sample drawings. We spend countless hours researching various file formats and software that can open, convert, create or otherwise work with those files. Start your 3 rd planit program and select menu tools options alto, then select the environment tab. From tabletop z scale, through 4x8s, roomsized layouts. Just download the setup package, install it and start editing your first track plan. No more templates to struggle with, no messy erasing and scribbling, no emergency table extensions propped on sawhorses, no last second hacking of the xmas tree, just pop up the menus off this fully graphical software in the gauge of your choice and plan away. Something i personally believe fast tracks should take it upon themselves to provide track libraries for, say, the main three model railroadcad design programs. These are located in the my documentscadrail 10 drawings folder that was created when you installed cadrail. Cadrail includes easy to use snaptogether, drag and drop tools plus hundreds of powerful cad tools that let you draw anything you want. The programs installer is commonly called cadrail 8 demo. The new softtrak feature lets you design professionalstandard track using splinelike tools the produce track complete with tangents, curves and easements if you.
If youre a user of autocad or another program with a clickmoveclick interface, youll be right at home on this new version of 3rd planit. Purchase of 3rd planit entitles you to download the program and free maintenance updates for two years. An extensive set of tools is available for complex combinations of yard ladders, sidings and crossovers. Learning about cadrail your cadrail package includes the cadrail computer application with help files, printed manual, and drawing libraries.
Im not planning on building the taj mahal, or the empire state bulding either, so i would like to keep costs down. Cad software 2d and 3d computeraided design autodesk. I have a little experience with cadrail, but not that much. In this discussion, we introduce who and how to engage the 3rd party marketing team, share lessons learned and best practices from. Jan 19, 2008 cadrail tool bars and a few objects cadrail 3d view of same objects after using calipers and a micrometer to build in a shinohara turnout into the library, i saw 3rd planit. The premier track planning tool for all scales order 3rd planit. With scarm you can easily create the layout of your dreams. Comparison of computeraided design software wikipedia.
Biggest downer for me going from 3rd planit to xtrack is the much greater difficulting in forming curves in xtrack. Multiple commercial brands of model railroad software are available and can be. It is a great program once you learn how to use it. A couple of questions, 1 betwwn cadrail and any rail whose. Planit cutting edge solutions software solutions for the. Fast tracks view topic need turnout dimensions not on. Way more information than you ever wanted on how to fell a tree. Response time on weekends and holidays may be longer. Cadrail tool bars and a few objects cadrail 3d view of same objects after using calipers and a micrometer to build in a shinohara turnout into the library, i saw 3rd planit.
Anyone have comments or experience with cadrail or 3rd planit. Enjoy designing your layout anyrail ensures everything fits. Its possible to update the information on cadrail or report it as discontinued, duplicated or spam. Select programs, sandia software, cadrail 10, launch cadrail 10 from the menu. There is a free download available and this allows you to build a. For years i used the all gauges track planning template in the back of kalmbachs book 101 track plans for model railroaders by veteran model railroader linn westcott. Model railroad layout design track drawing software cadrail.
Im biased towards 3rd planit but have used nothing else. Cadrail is a more complicated program with lots of bells and. Its also entirely independent, so you can build with almost any track. Id recommend staying away from atlass right track program. Anyrail is probably the easiesttouse model railway design tool around. A couple of questions, 1 betwwn cadrail and any rail whose costs are comparable which do people useprefer. Threedimensional rendering programs like cad let you, or.
Owners of cadrail vesion 9 and earlier can order a low cost upgrade to cadrail 10. If you dont have acrobat reader installed on your system, you can download it from adobe demo. Select programs, sandia software, cadrail demo, launch cadrail demo from the menu. Five less expensive cad applications by brien posey in five apps, in software on august, 20, 11.
Model railroad software building your model railroad. Now, 3rd planit not only offers the desired planning tool, but the ability to lay out the production of the initial rightofway, track configuration and. From tabletop z scale, through 4x8s, room sized layouts, basement and outbuilding empires and a full scale ethanol plant, 3rd planit is the cad software chosen by the most discriminating hobbyists. Drawing 3d walls, inserting doors and windows, even dormer roofs then sectioning to. Built on a strong, innovative set of design tools, the new 3d terrain and landscape features let you really visualize your layout like never. I just found myself immersed in the possibilities with layout splines, with special interest in the roadbed splines that included their production in hdu foam. It models your scenery, benchwork, buildings, trees, locos, etc. The scores and ratings offer you a solid idea how both of these software products perform.
Cadrail was added by truefoo in may 2016 and the latest update was made in may 2016. How to turn a 2d plan into a 3d model using caddies aec architecture tools. My layout is a freelance concept with everything i like in model railroading, i use all san juan flex track and turnouts and while my ideal layout would be a shelf layout with two return loops one at each end but not having. My measurements matched 3rd planits and 3rd planit had all the parts i needed in the libraries. Other notable model train software programs include 3rd planit by eldorado. This update is free to all registered cadrail 10 users you must have purchased version 10 previously.
Planit are the industry leaders in providing software solutions to the woodworking industry. Cadrail automatically rotates it into position and cleans up any connections. My measurements matched 3rd planit s and 3rd planit had all the parts i needed in the libraries. The new softtrak feature lets you design professionalstandard track using splinelike tools the produce track complete with tangents, curves and easements if you choose. For allpurpose 3d programs, see comparison of 3d computer graphics software. It seems like there were a few things it doesnt do that 3rd planit does but if i spend less time waiting on it than 3rd planit id be happier with fewer features. If you go with 3rd planit, get at least version 7 as the earlier. Tom, i have both right track is easy to use compared to 3rd plan it. Track planning software choices when i started in the hobby the only way to draw a track plan was to do it by hand with a pencil, eraser, ruler, and geometry set. Model railroad track design drawing cad software application scale layout plan cadrail.
I just took a look at those three, and see that the price for 3rd planit is the most expensive. Scarm means simple computer aided railway modeller software for easy and precise design of model train layouts and railroad track plans. To learn more about 3rd planit, download the version 11 manual in adobe acrobat format pdf. In scarm you can use unlimited number of tracks and objects. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. May 11, 2020 something i personally believe fast tracks should take it upon themselves to provide track libraries for, say, the main three model railroadcad design programs. Thousands of layouts have been designed and built using 3rd planit. Model railroad layout design and track planning software. You can learn more about starting applications and using the windows operating system in your windows documentation. These solutions help to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the design to manufacturing process, resulting in increased productivity and turnover for the business. Rrtrack v5 is the answer for all your toy or model train layout design headaches. Cadrail includes easy to use snaptogether, drag and drop tools plus hundreds of powerful cad tools that let.
If you would like to try 3rd planit, you may download and install this demo version 3rd planit supports windows 10, windows 8, windows 7, vista and windows xp. Model railroad design application model railroad track drawing cadrail. It does not judge power, ease of use, or other userexperience aspects. Track planning software discussion model railroad hobbyist. Anyrail the easiest model railroad design software. Cadrail is a powerful cad program with many different railroad design tools. Setting elevations and validatign them seemed much easier too since 3rd planit is by nature a 3d program. The next step should be to have a release and an updated binary install for all platforms.
The table does not include software that is still in development beta software. Have never tried it xtrackcad model rr track planning have no experience. None of these designers had prior background in cad software. Open a normal windows file explorer window, click in the address. It must not be that bad as to a learning curve as i had never used any kind of cad software before.
There are easy to use drag and drop tools that allow you to snap track sections together endtoend and align them automatically. Mar 11, 2018 cadrail is a powerful cad program with many different railroad design tools. Scarm software simple computer aided railway modeller. Comments suggest a steep learning curve unless you know cad. From tabletop z scale, through 4x8s, roomsized layouts, basement and outbuilding empires and a fullscale ethanol plant, 3rd planit is the cad software chosen by the most discriminating hobbyists. I often get asked questions about 3rd planit track planning software and have provided many answers and assistance over the years. Model railroad design application model railroad track drawing cadrail model railroad track design drawing cad software application scale layout plan cadrail. Let me try to give an answer from my personal view. First i needed some good sensibly priced easy to use software and after looking around the internet i decided on anyrail. Im currently researching the various model railway design software. Anyrail makes model railroad design so easy, its fun. Look at the box location of object library, highlight everything in the box, right click and select copy, then select cancel to close the options window. Cad refers to a specific type of drawing and modeling software application that is used. You will receive your serial number and the customer site url via email, generally within 24 hours of receiving your order.