I've been trying to learn XtrkCad for a couple of weeks now and I got to say that compared to RTS it's hard. I've been trying to draw an existing layout that I drew with RTS-8 a few months ago. The biggest complaint I have is all the extra steps you have to do to get anything done. It's so nice to select a piece of track, place it on the end of existing track and its connected as in RTS. And why can't you just connect a piece of track that is far apart and have it move into place automatically? To move something you have to "right-click, select, point, right-click, move, point and drag". The same task in RTS is "point, right-click, hold and drag" with the added bonus that everything connected moves with it. So what good is a connected track if it isn't really connected at all. There are some stuff that is really cool like running flex track and bench drawing. I drew a great bench but its only two dimensional. RTS-8 has a 3D Viewer which is great for checking grades and inclines. I'm going to continue working with this until I complete my layout and I hope I find some short cuts soon. Maybe I'm just missing something.
I was definitely very annoyed with XtrkCAD when I first started using it, but it is ultimately way more powerful than RTS. One important thing that I think will make you a little less annoyed. Go to the Options Menu > Sticky, and check all of the boxes. (You might find later that there are a couple you want unchecked, but my advice is to just check them all.) Also, try going to Options Menu > Command, and change the Default Command from 'Describe' to 'Select.' I find I prefer that. Finally, when selecting track, note that you can select a whole route of track by selecting a piece at one end, then holding down Shift and selecting the other end. XtrkCAD is certainly not perfect, but if you want free track planning software with real features, it ultimately is better than RTS, which ...well, for example, it doesn't allow you to simply draw track of whatever radius you like.
RTS does allow that, Special -> Shape Flex track. Any radius for whatever degree (or a straight). It's just not very intuitive. XtrkCAD is generally considered more powerful. Additionally it has a lot more track libraries available. If you are doing a small layout and just are looking for a quick trackplan RTS is fine, but if you plan on doing full-blown track planning with all the features it might be worth learing XtrkCAD.
I have spent about 4 or 5 hours using XtrkCad since I posted this and I have drawn a yard with 6 tracks. I learned how to build a "yard throat" from the demo and wow! I'm impressed with the function of placing a turnout or radius on flex track and have it automatically cut it self right in. I checked all the "sticky's" like you suggested and that was a huge help. I'm going to try the changing the defaut command next. I'm also learning about the shift key and its looking a lot better. I need to do more of the Demos, because they are a great help. Thanks :thumbs_up:
One other aspect of XtrakCAD is the fact that you have structure libraries. Join the XtraKCAD yahoo group for additional help, plus they have tons of user contributed buildings. tracks, etc. You can also look at users layouts to see what others are doing. If you join, I suggest you look at Ralphs layout in the files section. You will be blown away. Jim
I have used both. Xtrackcad is a superior program with many more features. The learning curve is much steeper. It depends on what you want to do. I found the Atlas program fit my needs.
I have spent 6 to 8 hours every day since starting this post and I have made a lot of progress I have all the track drawn out and just starting to learn how to draw the terrain . Thanks to some suggestions both here and from the “XtraKCAD yahoo group”. The help files are written a little different from what I used to, but I think I got it. The hardest thing for me now is remembering to press the shift key. I’ve gotten in the habit of only using one hand and the mouse. I’m going to buy a new mouse with more functions and I think that will make a world of difference. I would like to cross out the part in the title that says “RTS-8 is looking good right now” or replace it with “XtraKCAD is the best”. :tb-wink::thumbs_up:
You might also like to try the RMweb forum RMweb Index page where there is a lot of XTrkCad expertise available to answer queries - there is a basic tutorial on there written by me - have a search through and see what comes up - There used to be a superb tutorial written by a guy called disisme (Roger) on the internet but it seems that the ISP has been taken over and the tutorial has been dumped ( a great pity as it was excellent!). EDIT - THE TUTORIALS ARE BACK ON LINE - YEE HAA! Go to the YAHOO group XTrkCad : XTrkCad (You will need to join) and look in files. Down near the bottom you will find this
Thanks, I have come a long way since I started this thread. I’m now using XtrkCad exclusively and the only thing I miss from RTS is the 3D viewer and the “calculate distance” function, but the rest of XtrkCad functions more than make up for it. I also now have the new Atlas C55 curved turnout thanks to someone in the yahoo group.:thumbs_up:
I downloaded RTS 8 and I'm having a fit trying to add flex track, the sectional stuff is a piece of cake, but I'm wanting to start planning a massive 28x38 layout with 36" radius's.....
It’s fairly easy in RTS8 once you get the hang of it. Sometimes I would have to place a small piece of sectional track strategically in a mid point to force the flex to go the way I want it to go. I have to do the same thing in XtrkCad, but I still think its easer in RTS. XtrkCad would be faster to do a large layout because it allows to just drop a turnout in to the flex as long as the angles are in tolerance, but XtrkCad takes a much longer time to learn. In RTS you have to place the turnout in position 1st than connect the flex. You might be better off with RTS as long as you have the room to make any adjustments during the actual laying of the track, which you should have in a large area. I have a small layout with a lot going on, so for me it’s critical that I get it right before I start laying the track. I also wanted to add that XtrkCad uses a lot of computer resources especially the video memory, so you will have to turn a lot of things off and definitely put portions in different layers so you can turn them off. I’m doing a small 4x7 and all sorts of funny stuff happens from memory loss. Today the program forgot its own file name. I never had problem with RTS and I would be running 4 or 5 programs at the same time, including be connected to the internet the whole time. I can’t imagine what kind of problems you would have with a massive 28x38 layout.
I'm planning on doing an around the walls type layout, with some appendages coming out in the center area as needed. First I want to layout my desired track plan and then define the benchwork around it. I've drawn with both mastercam and autocad LT, wish I still had access to either program because a line drawing would do fine and I could do one in a couple hours.
Both RTS and XTrkCad does Bench work. XTrkCad has more variables to allow you to customize to your needs. This is one of the reasons that I went to XTrkCad . I have a very complicated bench that’s more like a piece of furniture with a lot of special folding joints. If you are going to build a basic shelf unit, I think RTS-8 will do the job. RTS draws out great one line drawings and the great thing is that it checks the track size & angles, unlike regular Cad programs which lets you connect whatever you want even it don’t fit. It depends on how many switches you’re going to use, but I think I could draw out a layout your size in a couple of hours with RTS without the custom details like Structures and Scenery. It sounds like RTS maybe the choice for you.:tb-biggrin:
I just wanted to show you all how far I got using XTrkCad. All I need now is to figure out how to run trains.:tb-wink: I drew up Structures to add to Walthers, Atlas, Pike, Faller, Bachmann, Kato, and many more. I also drew up a transit bus, school bus, fleet of numbered police cars, fire truck, and forklift. I’ll make a list of items and upload all the parameter files into the Yahoo XTrakCad Group as soon as I have time.
Running trains is the AWESOME in that program!!!!! Once you get them running, let two trians cornfield - it's fun to watch!!
Well I got the XTrkCad trains running and I’m glad I did. Not only was it really cool to watch, but I discovered that I had a few more track problems to fix. I only wish I had run the trains before putting in the scenery, because I make a lot of adjustments after fixing the track. The good thing is that now I can make changes really fast.
So how long will you run trains before you determine you need a new layout because the layout has become boring? hehehe
Funny you say that, because after seeing Sagelake's 4x9 layout, I'm already thinking of redoing my layout. No, I just don't have the room for a 4x9, but I hope to actually start building my layout soon. :tb-biggrin: I have everything except the turnouts and I plan to build most of the structures first. I just don't want to be too hasty and I still have my old layout to play with. I want it to be right and I'm still finding problems. :tb-rolleyes:
ok now I'm confused ... XtrkCAD can run trains? Well I'll be a monkey's uncle! I have practically given up on it because as far as I am concerned it seems too complicated. I am running Ubuntu on my computer, although I have re-activated a Windows machine. Perhaps it would be less trouble on Windows? Wanted to draw up my plan for my new URRR lol. SleeperN06 that layout looks great! :thumbs_up::thumbs_up::thumbs_up: Cheers! Adam
