Xtrack, still free, how difficult?

[rsn48]

Is Xtrack still a free download?  And if so, how difficult is it to learn?  Any users out there?

[jagged ben]

It's still free.

It's not difficult once you learn it, although it is clumsy and can be annoying.  Here are some suggestions to make it better.

To navigate, you need to use the map.  Go to  'Window' and choose Map.  Try to form a habit of not closing the Map window.  (You can use the arrow keys instead, but I find the map better.)
Using a mouse with a wheel to zoom is helpful.  Unfortunately you still need to use the map or arrow keys to navigate.

When you start using it, I recommend doing the following:
Go to Options > Sticky, and uncheck everything.  Maybe experiment with checking 'Move' and possibly 'Modify' and maybe others if you like, but make it your decision.  Most things should not be sticky.   
Go to Options > Command > Default Command, and choose 'Select' instead of 'Describe.'    If you are doing something and it's not going right, use the Esc key to cancel everything get back to 'Select'.  Usually you will want to then re-select the object you were working on and start again.
Go to Options > Display and uncheck 'Track Descriptions' and experiment with the other display options.

[kalbert]

It's a pretty good tool, but it does take some learning to get used to. It's got more features than RTS and some others, so you kind of expect it to be a little more difficult to use. There is an excellent tutorial on getting started, takes about 10 minutes, definitely worth doing. Beyond that there is an excellent support network on forums, and a great Yahoo group (where lots of add on libraries are found).

http://www.xtrkcad.org/Wikka/BeginnerTutorial

[rsn48]

Thanks guys, I've printed out both responses.

[conrail98]

To navigate, you need to use the map.  Go to  'Window' and choose Map.  Try to form a habit of not closing the Map window.  (You can use the arrow keys instead, but I find the map better.)
Using a mouse with a wheel to zoom is helpful.  Unfortunately you still need to use the map or arrow keys to navigate.

Page Up and Page Down will also zoom in and out when in the main window and I use arrow keys in the main window. I very rarely use the Map window

Go to Options > Sticky, and uncheck everything.  Maybe experiment with checking 'Move' and possibly 'Modify' and maybe others if you like, but make it your decision.  Most things should not be sticky.   

I completely disagree with this one and would actual make as much as possibly sticky. You're going to find yourself when doing things like cross-overs or yards or parallel tracks getting very annoyed going back and forth to the toolbar menu.

Go to Options > Command > Default Command, and choose 'Select' instead of 'Describe.'    If you are doing something and it's not going right, use the Esc key to cancel everything get back to 'Select'.  Usually you will want to then re-select the object you were working on and start again.

Completely agree with this and the common CTRL-Z to undo what you may have done also works but I think you're only limited to the last 10 edits

Go to Options > Display and uncheck 'Track Descriptions' and experiment with the other display options.

I generally will only have track length and elevation displayed and usually remove descriptions for cars/buildings/etc. I also like to select the tracks to be colored the same color as the Layer but not "Others". This is the top option in the Display menu. I also generally will have the ties as outlined and not solid as they are by default,

Phil

[LN2800]

I used it for a long time, and suffered through the several small quibbles I have with it, but once I discovered Anyrail, I've never looked back. If you have a small enough layout, you won't need anything more than the free trial version. It has a 50-piece track limit I think.

[rsn48]

I considered Anyrail however I have a fair bit of track, the main line alone is roughly 130 feet if not longer, that includes no track in sidings and yards.

[DKS]

I considered Anyrail however I have a fair bit of track, the main line alone is roughly 130 feet if not longer, that includes no track in sidings and yards.

AnyRail can handle layouts of practically any size. I have not seen it choke even on monster layouts. Witness: https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=26087.msg288930#msg288930