CadRail

[iis612]

Has anyone used it?
Anyone have a review, including pros/cons. Upsides, downfalls?
Xtrk will not run on my PC for whatever reason, so I am searching for an alternative.
RTS is too limited in that it only supports atlas products.


Anyone have any suggestions for other planning software?

 

[PWRR-2207]

3rd PlanIt by El Dorado Software

3rd PlanIt by El Dorado Software is another option.

I started with CADRail but found myself using AutoCAD when I got frustrated with the limited libraries and spline implementation in CADRail. Here are some screen shots of one of the provided examples:

CADRail tool bars and a few objects -


CADRail 3D view of same objects -


After using calipers and a micrometer to build in a Shinohara turnout into the library, I saw 3rd PlanIt. My measurements matched 3rd PlanIt's and 3rd PlanIt had all the parts I needed in the libraries. If you go with 3rd PlanIt, get at least version 7 as the earlier versions gave me problems with flex-track. Here are some screen shots of a planned piece of my layout and the in-progress construction:

3rd PlanIt Tool bars and objects -


3rd PlanIt 3D view -


Actual layout with Walther's Freight Depot -

 

[TrainNut]

You had me real interested in that 3rd PlanIt until on the order form, I got to the price part. Yikes! I guess for me, I'll stick to AutoCAD and planIt the hard way.

 

[rogerw]

Matt sorry ,I thought xtrk was working on your computer.
I cant see spending a lot of money on software. I used xtrk to get my basic track plan. From there I will tweak things as I go along.

 

[PWRR-2207]

Prices

You had me real interested in that 3rd PlanIt until on the order form, I got to the price part. Yikes! I guess for me, I'll stick to AutoCAD and planIt the hard way.

Yes, all the non-free software has advanced up the price scale. I bought them because I knew it would be at least 6-8 years before I could actually build anything, so I am thinking I got my money's worth over the years trying out different ideas :mrgreen:

Plus, the earlier versions of AutoCAD were not as friendly to drag and drop or auto-connecting as CADRail, RTS or 3rd PlanIt. Since you have AutoCAD available, probably not worth the expense, especially if you are comfortable with it and have built up libraries.

iis612 - I forgot to say earlier: If you do go for 3rd PlanIt, get version 8 with the patches as the printing works better at 1:1 scale if you want to printout templates without deforesting woodland areas as you can specify what pages to print and skip.:v8: