I am looking for a program that will help me layout an addition to my current layout. The first layout was down like topsy and it works, albeit a bit eccentric. It was down with Kato track so the trial and error method was easy. But now would lie a program to help me. Tried the Atlas program and it didn't have a library for Kato tracks and it left me quite cold on "ease" for a computer illertate to use. Any other suggestions out there.
Hi Alan - have you tried 3rd Planit? I have a demo copy and am evaluating it now. (you only get 100 objects and you cannot save anything.) You can get a demo at http://www.eldoradosoft.com/ the software is kinda pricy, but at least the demo is full featured (except as above)and there are many samples (with more than 100 objects) that you can open and look at - you just can't modify 'em. If you are familiar with CAD software you will find the learning curve for 3rd Planit quite small.
I have used XTrkCad with quite a bit of success. You can find it at XTrkCad. It doesn't do the 3D drawings like some of the others, but it is very simple to use and not as expensive. It has alot of the different track libraries to try different things. The creator, Dave, is very helpful if you have problems.
Geoffrey, Welcome to trainboard its always great to see new members joining the trainboard family. I look forward to seeing you around here.
You can always try Atlas Their sofware is free and there are no limitations. It is downloadable from their web site noted above. [ 07 May 2001: Message edited by: Grantha ]
Thanks Yankinoz, Gdagley and Grantha for your responses. I will be checking out those web sites, unfortunately, I can't use Atlas. Bought their package once, and they gave the assurance that there was a KATO library in their package to use. After struggling with Atlas for a couple of weeks, decided that it was not worth the effort, since I could not find anything in their software that would help me with the KATO trackage. Going to give the other two suggestions a try, just so I can get a plan laid out in the computer. But having already done 2/3 of the layout without it, I wonder. Guess the main reason is not to waste so much money in buying more trackage than I need. After this part is done, guess it's off to e-bay to get rid of the excess. Thanks again.
Alan I realize that track planning by computer is popular these days, but since you are using only Kato UniTrack (fixed geometry pieces), you can also design your extension the "old fashioned" way with the Kato 20-900 or 20-901 templates (see the URL below). http://www.katousa.com/html/Template.htm The various CAD track planning programs may do it faster, but at greater cost ($) and the learning curve required to use them. Plus finding one with a Kato library. Just a thought --- eNjoy DB
Don Brown, you are just about 100% correct. Just looking for an easier way out and thought a computer program would be better and swifter. But looking at a couple of those computer programs, and the learning curve involved. Since I teach seniors how to use a computer, I realize the learning curve gets steeper as we get older, and now I'm one of them. I'm taking your advice, especially since I have a good supply of large sheets of white paper laying around.
