Just bought 3rd PlanIt Software and...

TruckLover

Mack CH613 & 53' Trailer
have a question?

First im getting a MacBook in a few days and was wondering if any of you run this program on Macs? I e-mailed 3rd PlanIt and asked but he said I have to run somethiing called Parallels. What is that :confused: :eek:ops: :eek:ops: :eek:ops:

Second, how do you guys like this program? I have heard some good stuff about it from others before. Ive also heard that its a good program for hirer end trackplans but not to difficult that you cant learn it in a few hours of experimenting. I have been using Atlas Freeware for some time now and I want something more advanced and more realistic. I have used XtrackCad and i didnt like it at all. What are your guys opions about 3rd PlanIt? I know it is expensive for software, being $145.02 for the program, backup cd and tax but im convinced its going to be worth it from what I have heard from others and readinig about it on there web site.
 
I use 3rd Planit, And there is a steep learning curve. Took a few weeks to get my basic mainline down. But now that i know my way around it's good. I like the 3d ride you can take around the layout and train control. Makes it easier to see if things are actually going to work or not. There is a Yahoo group that is extremely active and supportive. I average 30-60 emails a day from it, so its rare you even have to ask the question.
 

Nomad

Active Member
Josh, it looks like you can download the program and then pay for an activation key instead of ordering the cd.

Loren
 

TruckLover

Mack CH613 & 53' Trailer
I use 3rd Planit, And there is a steep learning curve. Took a few weeks to get my basic mainline down. But now that i know my way around it's good. I like the 3d ride you can take around the layout and train control. Makes it easier to see if things are actually going to work or not. There is a Yahoo group that is extremely active and supportive. I average 30-60 emails a day from it, so its rare you even have to ask the question.

Thanks for the info about the yahoo group, i just joined it :thumb: :mrgreen:
 

jbaakko

Active Member
I'd say, revert back to XtrkCad before you spend too much... $80 for an addition program to use the designer software sounds like a rip off to me.
 

rogerw

Active Member
Josh M are you planning on making money with the software doing layouts for other people or just for your personal use? If its just for personal use I say just use xtrkcad . It gets close enough to do your layout with maybe a little tweaking. If you plan on charging for doing layouts it could pay for its self.IMHO Thanks
 

PWRR-2207

Rogue Islander
Intel x86 emulation

so either way I still have to pay $80 for the program right? :rolleyes:

If you still have your PC, just stick with using 3rd PlanIt on the PC.

"Parallels" is emulation software. If you have other Windows and Linux software that you would like have the MacBook run, "Parallels" enables your Mac to mascaraed as a Windows or Linux Operating System (OS) based computer. The downside is that it is emulating the foreign OS and will be slower. Anyhow, if you want the convenience or need Windows/Linux software to run on the MacBook, then it would be worth buying "Parallels" and a licensed copy of Windows XP (Yes, you need to buy the Windows OS too or download an installable version of Linux).
 

TruckLover

Mack CH613 & 53' Trailer
If you still have your PC, just stick with using 3rd PlanIt on the PC.

I wont have a PC anymore thats the problem lol. I have a desktop right now and the reason im getting rid of it is because it takes up too much space.

"Parallels" is emulation software. If you have other Windows and Linux software that you would like have the MacBook run, "Parallels" enables your Mac to mascaraed as a Windows or Linux Operating System (OS) based computer. The downside is that it is emulating the foreign OS and will be slower. Anyhow, if you want the convenience or need Windows/Linux software to run on the MacBook, then it would be worth buying "Parallels" and a licensed copy of Windows XP (Yes, you need to buy the Windows OS too or download an installable version of Linux).

Thats what I was thinking I would have to do, I was like wait they have Parallels for sale for $80 but you can download it on the same site for free? It sounded too good to be true lol.

I would like to run a few other programs from Windows on my Mac so i think it would be worth it. But you said I have to by a licenced version of Windows or Linux too? Does it matter which one I get, Windows or Linux? Which ones cheaper to buy?
 

TruckLover

Mack CH613 & 53' Trailer
I'd say, revert back to XtrkCad before you spend too much... $80 for an addition program to use the designer software sounds like a rip off to me.

Josh M are you planning on making money with the software doing layouts for other people or just for your personal use? If its just for personal use I say just use xtrkcad . It gets close enough to do your layout with maybe a little tweaking. If you plan on charging for doing layouts it could pay for its self.IMHO Thanks

I really dont like XtrkCad tho lol. I tried using it for a while and i just didnt like it. Thats why ive been using Atlas Freeware for a while now. And Roger, i dont plan on using it to design other peoples layouts for money but that might be something to look into in the future?
 

beamish

HO & Steam Engineer
I would like to run a few other programs from Windows on my Mac so i think it would be worth it. But you said I have to by a licenced version of Windows or Linux too? Does it matter which one I get, Windows or Linux? Which ones cheaper to buy?

Linux is usually free so i gues that makes it cheaper. :)
 

nolatron

Member
I have Parallels on my macBookPro and it runs fine with 2GB of memory install.

Keep in mind, that along with the application Parallels itself, you will need a licensed copy of Windows XP Service Pack 2 also to install onto your virtual computer.

If you want to go the way of Linux. you can download one of the open source (free) version of linux and buy a copy of parallels.
 

TruckLover

Mack CH613 & 53' Trailer
I have Parallels on my macBookPro and it runs fine with 2GB of memory install.

Keep in mind, that along with the application Parallels itself, you will need a licensed copy of Windows XP Service Pack 2 also to install onto your virtual computer.

If you want to go the way of Linux. you can download one of the open source (free) version of linux and buy a copy of parallels.

Thanks Shaun, but is it better to buy a licenced copy of Windows or can I get away and be okay with the download of Linux in its place?
 

PWRR-2207

Rogue Islander
Thanks Shaun, but is it better to buy a licenced copy of Windows or can I get away and be okay with the download of Linux in its place?

Ah, giving up the PC. Well, to run 3rd PlanIt you will need Windows, so, yes, buy a copy of Windows XP with SP2 and Parallels. You should be able to run most of the software you got for the PC, even some of the games that are only a year or older. I used "Soft Windows 98" for years on my G3 and G4 since a lot of my legacy software did not play well directly accessing physical and kernel interfaces. The G4 now just does email, web surfing and Adobe Suite graphics work after two years as a file and VOIP server.

For the Linux users, before you say it, would you really want to send TruckLover into the world of configuring WINE to emulate Windows inside the Parallels emulation software emulating Linux? Just because it can be done does not mean one should do it - besides I think 3rd PlanIt is changing over to the DirectX libraries instead of OpenGL and that is another can of worms he should just leave alone...
 

TruckLover

Mack CH613 & 53' Trailer
Well I bought a copy of Parallels, cost me $94.94 for the internet download and the backup cd. I found a copy of Windows XP Pro Full Version with Service Pack 2 for $158 so ill be getting that as well. Thanks for all the help guys :thumb: :mrgreen:
 

TruckLover

Mack CH613 & 53' Trailer
For the Linux users, before you say it, would you really want to send TruckLover into the world of configuring WINE to emulate Windows inside the Parallels emulation software emulating Linux? Just because it can be done does not mean one should do it - besides I think 3rd PlanIt is changing over to the DirectX libraries instead of OpenGL and that is another can of worms he should just leave alone...

Thats waht i heard about Linux from the responces I got from the Yahoo Group, they said unless your a computer geek dont go that route lol
 

YmeBP

Member
Well I bought a copy of Parallels, cost me $94.94 for the internet download and the backup cd. I found a copy of Windows XP Pro Full Version with Service Pack 2 for $158 so ill be getting that as well. Thanks for all the help guys :thumb: :mrgreen:

Seems like a high price for windows xp, vista costs as much. I'd do a little more shopping around for a copy of windows xp. Quick google search turned this up: http://www.buycheapsoftware.com/details~productID~1717.asp
 
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