layout design software

[Westcoast_Trains]

Hello all, I have been wanting to design an N scale shelf layout now for some time, I would like to play around with a few ideas before I start cutting wood and making benchwork. Is there a fairly easy to use layout design software program that anyone would recommend, I am looking forward to seeing what people use, hopefully there is something out there that isnt too complex to understand and use effectively. Thanks in advance.

[bigdawgks]

AnyRail would be most recommended for Windows. Very easy to pick up.

[C855B]

Agreed on AnyRail. I've designed everything from NTrak modules to a 40x44 monster with it.

[GimpLizard]

Another recommendation for AnyRail -  https://www.anyrail.com/

Not only is it fairly easy to learn and use but, if you're okay with being limited to 50 sections of track, it's free. Beyond that the cost is reasonable at $65. I've also found there tech support to be first rate.

[John]

I also use anyrail,  it if you want totally free then xtrkcad is a decent alternative with no limits.   

[reinhardtjh]

For the little design work I've done I've used XTrkCAD and RailModellerPro since I have a Mac and don't do Windows even in emulation.  Both have a learning curve (what doesn't?) but I managed to catch on pretty well.  I still have some more complicated things to try, but that's in the future.

https://www.railmodeller.com
  Pro and Express (free) for trial and small layouts  Download from Apple Store

XTrkCAD - https://sourceforge.net/projects/xtrkcad-fork/ (watch the pop ups and make sure you're clicking the right download link - I hate Sourceforge these days)

[Westcoast_Trains]

thank you everyone for your opinions, im going to give anyrail a go and see what I come up with.

[nickelplate759]

I've happily used SCARM for years, but it lacks the ability to do easements.  So I bought a licence for AnyRail today and started translating my layout plan to it.  All in all it's pretty good, and about as easy to use as SCARM.  A major difference is in the way the handle flex track;  AnyRail uses splines that take some getting used to, but are quite powerful. 

[Westcoast_Trains]

I designed this 64 inch long by 15 inch wide industrial spur/switch puzzle, my bench work starts at 15 inches wide and then about 30 inches in it cuts on a diagonal down to 12 inches wide.

[Westcoast_Trains]

version 2.0