Layout design software

[archangelo]

Well, I'm at it again -- revising a layout-in-progress.  Am looking for a good quality layout design software (for Mac) -- free or paid: something that's easy to work with, yet offers more detail than a single line to indicate track position. A fairly extensive turnout library would also be a plus.

Suggestions?

Thanks...

Archangelo

[C855B]

See if you like RailModeller . I didn't, but it was probably just me. I have been using AnyRail under BootCamp for four years to design a very large layout, and while it has its warts, has done the job nicely.

[Scottl]

I used 3rdPlanit for years but lost my serial number key and have fallen out of the update cycle, so I sought a new package.  I tried SCARM, a free package and it is quite good once you get used to it.   After a few hours with it is second nature.

[crrcoal]

I'm using Xtrkcad on my macbook. Works fine with Sierra.

[conrail98]

I'm using Xtrkcad on my macbook. Works fine with Sierra.

I do too and have not had any issues except exporting the plan to an image (something that appears to be an issue and being worked on). I've used Xtrkcad for years and have evaluated other planning tools and find it the easiest to use,

Phil

[railnerd]

I've bought RailModeller Pro.  Jan (the author) is pretty responsive to feature requests, and is a modeler as well.

I've also played with SCARM, and the demo version of AnyRail in Crossovers (the Mac version of WINE).  I was about to pull the trigger and buy a full license for AnyRail 6, but the demo stopped working well inside the Crossovers environment.

-Dave

[JoeW]

I had tried four of the popular layout design software and the easiest to use by far has been Anyrail.  They have a free trial download https://www.anyrail.com/download_en.html it is definitely worth the time to check out

[bdennis]

I definitely am a fan of Anyrail.. But it is windows only..

http://dh2ndsub.blogspot.com.au/

[Mike Madonna]

Greetings,

Does the Anyrail program include ME track?

[bdennis]

Mike. Yep sure does. Also fast tracks turnouts etc etc
It has a great library of different brands..

[Maletrain]

I am also using Anyrail, for both a small and a very large layout.  There is a learning curve, but it seems to do everything, once you figure out how to do it.  Since I am interested in operating, I also export the Anyrail designs to TrainPlayer, and "run" trains on the layouts to test operational features.  (Note on Trainplayer: you need to adjust the car lengths to include the actual coupled length to test things like the suitability of run-around and wye leg lengths for your acutal car roster and operating intentions.)

[Mike Madonna]

Mike. Yep sure does. Also fast tracks turnouts etc etc
It has a great library of different brands..

Brendan,

Thanks, just what I wanted to know! 

[Lemosteam]

@Mike Madonna   Please note that the free version of Anyral will only allow 50 (IIRC) track pieces before you must buy the software.  My layout fell just under this limit so I got lucky! 

[Mike Madonna]

50 pieces? I think I'll go over that number..... 

[robert3985]

I've used Cadrail for decades.  I haven't got the latest upgrade yet, but all of my layout benchwork carpentry, track planning, overall layout configuration, module design, room dimensions have been done with it.

I also used it for designing weapons mountable night vision devices and surveillance instruments about ten years ago.  Worked just fine.

There may be others that are better in some ways, and maybe easier to learn and use, but I've got no complaints about Cadrail.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore