Computer Track Planning Software

[Ho Scale Phil]

I am tired of drawing. In this age of technology there must be an easy to use software to design layouts. I am running a new macbook pro. I hear Empire Express is a good one, any input on it or others? Thanks in advance

 

[blue02celi]

I have tried 2 so far:

AnyRail
Right Track

I like anyrail better, tho Im using the demo. Right Track is free
right track isnt available for mac, and dont think anyrail is either, or its not listed just says windows

 

[dpeterson3]

Surprised no one has mentioned X-track cad already.
http://www.xtrkcad.org/Wikka/HomePage
It has a lot of nice features, is open source so it is completely free, and has most common track, equipment, etc in its libraries.

 

[Motley]

I didn't know people were still drawing?

I'm using Right Track, RTS, it's OK. But some of the others are a little bit too complicated, almost CAD like.

 

[waredbear]

My vote goes to Xtrakcad. I find it simple to use once I went through the built in tutorial and practiced with it. I really really neat thing is you can consist a train and run it on the layout. I've had three or four trains running at one time. This makes it life like to see how you will control trains. There is also a Yahoo Group dedicated to the software and those guys can answer any questions you might have. I'm a member. I'm about ready to crank the program back up in the next day or two to start on my layout plans.

 

[blue02celi]

fyi, anyrail demo has a 50 item limit... haha, now to start over on another program

 

[blue02celi]

where the heck is the track library in x-track

 

[Shortliner2001]

First you need to set your layout size and scale and then select your required track from File>parameters - for queries join the XTrkCad group on Yahoo - you'll get an answer much quicker there