The following is just some (in no particular order) of the most popular software packages for designing your layout. The descriptions are from the manufactor web page with a link to the software
home page where you can find more about the program. You will have to decide yourself which of the software package is right for you. The best suggest of which one is the best for you will be to try
out the demo programs.
3D Railroad Concept And Design version 2.0 for Windows includes all the tools and functionality found in previous versions with some fantastic upgrades. Now, in addition to the accurate drawing
tools, list compilers, custom benchwork, extensive catalog listings and libraries of manufacturer products, and stunning 3D graphics, we have added ideas and functionality as requested by model
railroad enthusiasts. We've done our best to make 3D Railroad Concept And Design the most comprehensive model railroad design tool on the market, while still keeping it user-friendly.
http://www.abracadata.com/index99.html
Cadrail has all the extra features that will satisfy advanced users. Beginners can pick it up quickly and grow into the harder parts of railroad design. You get a rock solid, all around drawing
tool for all your drawing needs. Design railroad layouts, buildings, benchwork, schematics or anything else you need.
This is a powerful CAD program with many different railroad design tools. You can create track plans of any size and shape. There are easy to use drag and drop tools that allow you to snap track
sections together end-to-end and align them automatically. Flexible CAD tools let you create complex shapes that your train will run on and that you can build.
http://www.cadrail.com/
Version 4.0 of the Right Track Software incorporates features that users asked for. It is Windows '95/'98/NT compatible, and has a modern graphic user interface. In general, Right Track is a
layout planning program for PC's. The program allows you to design your dream layout using electronic templates of all Atlas N scale and HO scale Snap-Track and Super-Flex Track, True-Track,
switches, bridges, turntables, buildings and electrical controls. There are even templates for structures from Walther's Cornerstone Series, Railway Design Associates, Design Preservation Models,
Life-Like and now Lionel and Atlas O, LLC.
http://www.atlasrr.com/welcome.html
RR-Track v3.02 is a Windows 3.1, Windows 95™, or Windows NT™ hosted, graphically based layout application for toy trains. RR-Track is based on track libraries which depict the actual
sectional track available from manufacturers such as Lionel, Curtis HiRail, Ross Custom Switches, GarGraves Trackage, K-Line, Rydin Industries, American Flyer, American Models, LGB, MicroEngineering,
AristoCraft, pV; Atlas, Hornby, Kato, Peco, RailTech, and Märklin. RR-Track prints to any Windows supported printer, and exports to Windows™ Bitmap files for portability.
http://www.rrtrack.com/
XTrkCad is a CAD program for designing Model Railroad layouts. XTrkCad supports any scale, has libraries of popular brands of turnouts and sectional track (plus you add your own easily), can
automatically use spiral transition curves when joining track and has extensive on-line help and demonstrations. XTrkCad lets you manipulate track much like you would with actual flex-track to
modify, extend and join tracks and turnouts. Additional features include tunnels, 'post-it' notes, on-screen ruler, parts list, 99 drawing layers, undo/redo commands, benchwork and 'Print to
BitMap'.
http://www.sillub.com/
3rd PlanIt by El Dorado Software
3rd PlanIt is a powerful CAD program specifically designed for the needs of model railroading. The program draws strongly from the Windows user interface methods, such as right-clicking the mouse, and using the Control, Shift and Alt keys during editing. You can choose between the “Press-Move-Release” drawing style or the “Click-Move-Click” style to suit your preference, and numerous automated features make creating complex designs easier than ever before. You can draw a layout and run operating sessions, switch industries and find out if this is the layout for you before spending any money on track.
A fully functioning demo version is available at:
http://www.trackplanning.com/
For further questions about 3rd PlanIt and an excellent source of support, we suggest you subscribe to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/3rdPlanIt/
I've sliced and diced the above comments. I use CAD a lot. So I didn't pay too much attention to these packages. I have now studied the MR article and gone through the sites as well as the
freebie's posted.
My conclusion is that you'll be OK with any of the three, but they are all different. Any CAD has a steep learning curve and if you have no formal drafting background the curve is a lot higher.
Cadrail is the best CAD. (Scandia used to be in the "real" CAD business.) It is the least Windows aware and has the skimpiest libraries. After doing the railroad it would be the most useful to have
on the hard disk for other projects, BUT a real CAD would be better for those other projects.
3D Railroad Concept is the only one that makes 3D "easy" by means of the extensive libraries and rendering stuff. Lousy CAD. Most Windows aware.
3rd Planit is smack in the middle. I have a feeling that 3rd has the best customer support.
Because I have AutoCAD I would buy 3D Railroad. Otherwise, I would buy Cadrail so that I could use it for other tings. If I didn't do other things I would buy 3rd Planit.
Now comes the big question. Why bother?
Here are my thoughts on railroad planning and they are contrary to "recommended" practice.
Step one, design bench work that fits into the room you are using. Build and finish that bench work complete with paint, lighting and draperies.
Step two, buy a bunch of track pieces and start laying them out.
Step three, do all the rest!
I have reasons. If you are building a really small module than by all means go ahead and plan it thoroughly because you will build and finish it in a few weeks. Otherwise that railroad is going to be
an eyesore for months - years while you are changing your mind, accumulating stuff, changing eras, changing prototypes. You need to live with it and that living should be as easy as possible. Track
planning is a very minor part of the life experience with a model railroad.
Christian