Are any of you pretty knowledgable using XTrkCad??

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Trussrod

Trussrod

Well-Known Member
Hi to all,

I've been trying to learn XTrkCad for some time now and still can't seem to get the rail layed down in the program. Well when I was fooling around with it
in the beginning I did manage to get some rail nailed down in the program but now when I want to do the same thing nothing wants work for me. Well I shouldn't say nothing as I was able the outling my table work and proposed table work quite nicely but for some reason I can't seem to lay any track??

If you have any suggestions they would be appreciated!! Oh, I know that when all else fails, 'READ the Instructions', and I've tried but haven't determined what I'm suppose to do to lay track. I have also tried to set all the variables pertaining to the track too. I'm building all my turnouts & hand laying them too along with using sectional track. I'm going to be making up my own sectional HO track by using Central Valley Branch Line tie strips and inserting either Code 70 for the main line or 55 for the sidings and logging areas as well as the mine areas etc. As it appears right now I should have about 95' of main line and about 50' of logging and Mine trackage as a rough guess. my room size is 10'6" x 21'6' and I'm going to have a folded dog bone style main line with various elevations.

I'm running Win XP on an Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core system, but I doubt that has any bearing as I was able to draw and manuplate the Table edges pretty well but fell short when trying to nail down any track, Oops, I meant Spike Down any rail!

Your help would be appreciated!!
 
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Have you run the tutorial? IT takes about 4 hours and makes all the difference in the world. If you know CAD programs, this could be avoided, but if not the tutorial is a great help.

In essence though you place straight or circular track in key places and use the join tool to run the track from one place to the next. Turnouts are then placed on top of the track once it is down.

Run the tutorial. It's worth the time spent and it's fun to do.
 
The tutorials are definitely helpful. Yes, sometime you do have to pull over and ask for directions;) .
Here's what I managed to squeeze out of the program.
PRR_Schuylkill_Div_revised_branch_siding_21.gif


To get the 1st piece of track down pick any switch you want and click it onto the plan. the hit the enter key to permanently place it. Then you can add anything to the track from there.
 


Thanks Chip,
I thought about you when I wrote my post and almost directed it to you.
Thanks for your help!!

I have used a Cad program before but XTrk seemed a considerable bit more involved but then again it's new to me also. I was using the Atlas Cad program and things seemed considerably more simplified as I could lay track down, connect them and even rotate the segments as needed. I should think I would be able to do the same thing with XTrk??

Let me ask you this, as there were a couple of things I didn't mention earlier about my plan, I'm using a 20" radius on the ML plus working with sectional track, there doesn't seem to be any track listed that's for that radius? Do you know if a existing track listing for curves can be modified, program wise, so it will match what I doing in order to get a more accurately designed track plan? 18" radius is to tight for the ML but fine for Logging & Mine trackage, 22" is too big for the ML as it will take more room than needed on the plan so I'm in between both and hope to find a fix.

Aslo it seems to me I saw something about using sectional track yet don't find an example of it in the listings? Any suggestions or ideas?!

Thanks again Chip
 
The easiest thing to do is take the track circle and create a 20" radius circle of track. Put it where you want the turn and then use the join tool to connect to the track already laid.

I'm not sure why you'd want to use sectional either in the plan or the layout. More joints mean more places to derail and/or lose power.
 
Chip,
Thanks I was trying to do that clicking on the, 'Create Circle icon', but couldn't get it to lay down so I could spike it in place?? I'll keep futzing with the program and go through the tutorial more I guess!

Yes sectional was the WRONG terminology for me to use except that I was refering to 3' sections of track and hence my stating sectional. Your completely right that using 9" sections of track is rather foolish IMHO Too not
to mention SLOOOOOOW going. That's why I was thrilled to come across the Central Valley Branch Line Tie Strips through my supplier as they will sure speed up my track laying being that I have the individual Code 70 & 55 rail I use to spike down on the wood ties I had previously glued down. Now that was slow going in the begining but it sure looks great after being distressed and stained various shades of Grey and Tan!!

Thanks again for the XTk assistance,

David - back to the Tutorial
 
Usine XTk.

Hi Ron and thanks,

Your layout sure shows what can be done alright so it good incentive for me.

I think I see what your saying in that by getting something down you can then build upon that.

Well that's what I've been trying to do but I must be doing something wrong?
Back to the tutorial! :rolleyes:

Thanks,

David


Myowngod said:
The tutorials are definitely helpful. Yes, sometime you do have to pull over and ask for directions;) .
Here's what I managed to squeeze out of the program.
PRR_Schuylkill_Div_revised_branch_siding_21.gif


To get the 1st piece of track down pick any switch you want and click it onto the plan. the hit the enter key to permanently place it. Then you can add anything to the track from there.
Click to expand...
 
Trussrod said:
Hi Ron and thanks,

Your layout sure shows what can be done alright so it good incentive for me.

I think I see what your saying in that by getting something down you can then build upon that.

Well that's what I've been trying to do but I must be doing something wrong?
Back to the tutorial! :rolleyes:

Thanks,

David
Click to expand...

David
Thanks for the compliment. My Dad and I are working hard on the layout now. We're almost done all the track work.

What just hit me is that maybe the layer that you're trying to build on is locked somehow. Go into the manage tab on top and then to layers. See if it is "frozen" or not.
 
From the Highlands TOO!

Say Jack,

Thanks a lot! I did join the TLP as it looks like a good site too.

I'm making some progress playing around with Xtrk and your info will certainly help.


Your info is appreciated,

David
 


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