Planning software

[ednadolski]

I use Anyrail, an old version running in a VirtualBox Windows 7 VM on Mac host.

[nickelplate759]

I just grabbed the demo of AnyRail.  Not too hard to figure out, except...

Easements don't seem right.  I can't make parallel easements, and that should be pretty easy to do (math-wise).
I haven't found a "fit a piece of flex track between these other two tracks" option.

Track Libraries seem pretty good!

[Simon D.]

@Rich29 Many thanks - will look at RailModeller. 


Most of these seem to be one man band productions, hence they don't get ported to Macs.  There's a UK program for hand-laying track called Templot which is so contrary and counter-intuitive it drives even IT professionals insane...  If anyone uses RMWeb check out the threads.

[GimpLizard]

I just grabbed the demo of AnyRail.  Not too hard to figure out, except...

Easements don't seem right.  I can't make parallel easements, and that should be pretty easy to do (math-wise).
I haven't found a "fit a piece of flex track between these other two tracks" option.

Track Libraries seem pretty good!

Sorry, I can't help with easements, but fitting flex-track is pretty easy.

Connect one end of the flex to one of the other sections. Then grab the other end (at the small 'cross' at the end pf the flex) and, while holding the mouse button, drag it to the other section you want to connect too. Then click on flex to highlight it, right click, and choose "Smooth Flex" from the pop-up menu. Assuming the distance and angle between the sections you joined too are sufficient, you get a smooth, curved transition.

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Another option is using the blend control points. Just drag them closer or further away to adjust to amount of curve. But be careful. If you connected your flex to another section of flex, and THAT piece of flex is not "frozen", you might end up moving it as well. Also, if you see a red line forming anywhere along the flex, it means that portion of curve is tighter than your minimum set radius.

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Hmmmm. Now that I look at it, those blend points look like they establish an easement as well. Or are my eyes lying to me?

[CRL]

I don’t know if it establishes a true spiral easement, but it’s close enough that you can fine tune it when you lay the track.

[nickelplate759]

@GimpLizard thank you so much!

By the way, I figured out how to do "parallel" easements.  The problem was really me - an easement over 20-degrees to an 18" radius curve is of shorter than over a 20" radius curve.       What I ended up doing was - create an easement on one track, then select the easement and create a parallel track in the pop-up menu.  Easy once you know how!

[GimpLizard]

@GimpLizard thank you so much!

You're welcome, George. Glad I could help.

[Rivet Miscounter]

Any groundbreaking changes in model railroading layout planning CAD applications in the past year?    I've used XTrakCAD for years--mostly for sectional (Unitrack, Rokuhan) track.   But for flex it is almost unusable.   Anyway, I've never loved XTrakCAD anyway, so I was thinking about trying Anyrail 6.     Just making sure all is well in the Anyrail universe....nobody abandoned it or retired, disappeared, etc.

[Maletrain]

I like Anyrail.  The only issue I have with it is that it does not make proper spiral easements with its "easement" feature for flex track- at least not when I checked it some years ago.  Those easements have more curve and less length than proper spirals.  But, you don't really need proper spirals for operational purposes with models.  When I use sectional track, I just use pieces with larger radius going into the main radius of a curve.  That works well, and actually looks better than abruptly going into the main radius, even though it doesn't look exactly right.  So, I continue to use Anyrail and recommend it.  It also provides output files for Trainplayer, which allows you to practice ops moves with your design to help refine it for the purposes you intend.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I've been a fan of RailModeler Pro. I have no complaints.

[bbussey]

AnyRail for me.

[DKS]

Late to the party, but will give my two cents worth. Get Anyrail!!
I messed with all I could get my hands on. After using Cad progroms at work, I couldn't stand some of the way things didn't work like a right CAD.
Anyrail just works, besides, DKS is a big supporter. Should carry some weight.

Don

Thanks for the shout-out, Don. Yes, big supporter. And one of the biggest reasons, aside from the intuitive interface, is that the developer was very approachable. I hooked up with him in the earlier days of the app, and suggested a number of changes, most of which he made. I also helped him flesh out some of the older track libraries, and suggested that he add T Gauge, which he did. I'd also asked if he'd add the Faller bus system track, but he didn't go for that. No matter, I made up my own library for it. I still use the app, but not as heavily as I once did.

[keeper]

AnyRail for me.

+1

[reinhardtjh]

I've been a fan of RailModeler Pro. I have no complaints.

This, if you've got a Mac and don't want to fool with a Windows emulator then RailModeler Pro.  Or XTrkCad.  I've used both.  At the moment I prefer RailModeler.  It's been said that 3rdPlanit was written such that it works well on a Mac using WINE/CrossOver but I haven't tried it.

For designing trackwork - switches and I think crossings then TEMPLOT II is also Mac friendly using WINE/CrossPort but, man, that thing will make you tear your hair out.
http://templot.com/templot/companion/templot_home.php

If you have a Windows system then I'd guess AnyRail is the way to go.  Lots of fans.

[nuno81291]

Another vote for anyrail. Lord knows I got my moneys worth.