Layout Software

They are still in business, but AFAIK they’re customer support has never been there. I used RR-Track for a couple of years beginning in 2013, but switched to SCARM and now use RR-Track only to help another user. AnyRail is arguably the easiest to learn and probably the prettiest, but I believe SCARM is a little cheaper, especially if you don’t opt for the simulation extensions, and I found all 3 about the same when it came to learning. They will all get the job done, bu5 it’s hard to beat SCARM’s 3D view and 3D simulation.

I’ve been completely disappointed with the lack of any improvements to RR-Track since the release of v5 and it continues to freeze, though I don’t use it enough anymore to have that bother me. The author of SCARM is here on the forum and you won’t get a faster response to emails or posts. Admit, I started to learn SCARM when it was still free to help others, but I don’t regret having to eventually pay for it. It and AnyRail have free versions that let you play with 100 objects (tracks, etc.). FWIW, Atlas offers their version of SCARM on their site.

I have AnyRail and RR-Track.  I haven't had any freezes in RR-Track, and it does some things better than AnyRail, but AnyRail is certainly the champ with it comes to easy to learn.

I only have three suggestions, #1 SCARM, #2 SCARM and my personal favorite #3 SCARM!    Seriously, Scarm is great software, very complete track libraries, easy to learn and the author monitors this forum and gives us great support.  Love the 3d feature and have used the software for all sorts of projects not railroad related.

To expand on my comment, the main reason I use RR-Track is because unlike SCARM it allows you to specify coordinates (like 24” wide by 36” long) for Figures/Objects if you want fairly accurate settings for buildings, etc. I use this feature for things unrelated to model railroads. In SCARM you can draw the same rectangle, but you eyeball it using the grid. You have to zoom each corner to get really accurate and that gets tedious with multiple point polygons.

GRJ, you have better luck than I do then, though I probably should check for an update, it’s been a few months. 😉 

I started using SCARM 3 years ago for planning my carpet on floor layout.  I have used it a number of times since then for revising the layout.  I use it only in 2-D mode to see and document how the track pieces fit together and align.  SCARM includes a useful track "snip" feature for cutting track pieces, when that is needed.  I am very satisfied with SCARM.  My layout is all O27, but I have experimented in SCARM mixing O, Fastrack, and Gargraves with O27.  I have not tried any other track layout software.

I truly appreciate the replies to my software question from : BARRY 835, DOUBLE DAZ, CHILOQUIN, RUSS, and GUNNRUNNER JOHN.  I will try the free downloads and play with them, before I make a decision. Thanks to all 

RR-Track is the only one that doesn’t have a free version to try, though I believe a version with RealTrax and ScaleTrax libraries might still come with MTH R-T-R sets. Suffice it to say they all work pretty much the same, just slight differences in menus and keystrokes to avoid stepping on copyrights, etc.

I use Anyrail, it is easy to use and the only real problem is when it updates your old track plans won't be able to be viewed in 3D mode. Other than that you can add your own textures for grass, water, mountains or such to make things look more vibrant than the typical color choices you are given.

There are user created objects as well(and you can also create too), and the Oscale side seems light compared to the other scales. I had contacted them about creating more Oscale options for turntables(as the only have Atlas 24") and their reply was that they didn't have exact numbers for the other turntables I asked them to add(MRS & Ross).

Thanks DAVE NYC HUDSON PRR K4

I need a software that will incorporate a Ross or Millhouse 33 turntable.

As near as I can tell, RR-Track has only the Atlas 24” turntable whereas SCARM has the Atlas as well as the Millhouse 24”, 28” and 34” models and the RCS 18”, 24”, 27” and 33” models with varying numbers of positions from 24-72 depending on model. I don’t think you can go wrong with SCARM.

@Butch G I am going to have to agree with Doubledaz for SCARM. Though I have never used it, it seems to have what you would require for a 33" turntable. The only way you could do that in Any rail is making a placeholder by positioning a circle, track and creating a makeshift outline of one. I did that in one of my designs and it was a big pain in the butt even though it did look okay to me when I was finished.

Anyway you look at it all the programs out there have their plus's and minuses. Its just the navigation that gets easier with whatever one you are using. Main thing is for whichever you decide to use, start small and simple and go from there. The second design I worked on got ugly real quick because I was trying too hard to have too many things going on at once that it quickly became more annoying than anything else. My third design gave me much less problems. I still however am stuck in planning stages.

IMHO, the key to using these programs is to use layers and color-coding to keep more complicated designs manageable while editing. Here's an example I chose because it has a 34" Millhouse TT and an approximation of a 5-stall roundhouse (I forget the brand). Anyway, the green tracks are raised 6". The outer run is blue while the inner run is gold and the TT area is purple. Each of these can be turned on/off at will and that's arguably more easily done in SCARM with the Layers window than in RR-Track. So is adding multiples of the same track, just hit the Spacebar.

Like Dave said, they all get easier the more familiar you get with them. I didn't like SCARM at first because the keystrokes are different from RR-Track and I still lament the loss of precise control over object coordinates, but whenever I use RR-Track now, I find myself trying to use the SCARM keystrokes to do things.  

I use SCARM and registered both the program and the add on for operating trains.  It's well worth the money and the publisher is real good with communication.

@DoubleDAZ have you ever used the Toolbox icon in SCARM?  I'm pretty sure it allows you to establish dimensions for rectangular objects.  It also has a command to move objects a precise distance in the X-Y plane.  I agree it's tedious, but I'm pretty sure it's possible. 

Several years ago, I bought the full version of RR-Track and all of the relevant libraries.  When Mixy released the paid version, I also bought SCARM and the simulation expansion.  Probably out of laziness I put off learning SCARM for 3 years.  But it really isn't any harder, just different.  And now that I've learned it, I haven't touched RR-Track, except to view old plans.  So between these two, my recommendation is SCARM!

Never tried Anyrail- does it permit any kind of 3D visualization?  Good topic!!

Ted, I use it all the time. Unfortunately, the coordinates option in the Toolbox is to define the baseboard dimensions where you create a “single” baseboard, such as a 4x8 table (0:0, 96:0, 96:48 and 48:0). If you want the baseboard away from the wall you have to compute the coordinates. For example, to place the 4x8 baseboard above say 24” in from the top and left wall, the coordinates would change to 24:24, 120:24, 120:60 and 24:60. The only way I know of to create a rectangle, polygon, etc., in SCARM  is to use the Figures library. Then, when you look at the Properties options all you get is vertical position, height and color. With the Toolbox you can create an accurate Baseboard, but not a Figure. I’m sure some would argue it’s not that critical, but when you are adding a roundhouse to a turntable or adding a wall trackside, I submit checking exact clearances is an issue.

Conversely, RR-Track lets you draw a figure just like SCARM, but then you use the Properties option to step through each point and define their exact locations. And it’s really easy because, unlike having to figure out the coordinates in the Toolbox, RRT lets you use actual lengths of each side in inches. In my example, the base coordinates would still be 24x24, but the others would be 96:0, 96:48 and 0:48 negating the tedious process of computing the coordinates, especially for multipoint polygons. I still get it done for complex baseboards, but I need paper and pencil to mark them down.

I used RR-Track and liked it.  Forget calling them and just order what you want on line.

Dennis

I have only used Anyrail 6.0 and SCARM. Anyrail allows for fudging track to fit together just like in real life. The flex track is easier to manipulate for me than is SCARM. I won't be using Flex Track. I originally bought Anyrail BEFORE I decided on O gauge. At $59.00 I would have thought that Anyrails 3D capability would be at least as good as it is in SCARM. In my opinion it is not. The price I paid includes the next version for free. ( When it becomes available. Here's hoping that the 3 D will be improved. I could be missing something but so far I haven't been able to locate any in depth instruction on Anyrails 3D features. What I have found isn't as good as SCARM. For me at $39.90 SCARM is the better value. Since I am limited to a small area for a layout (6x10 max) and I won't hit 100 pieces of track  I now use  the FREE version of SCARM. 

Where RRT has it over SCARM is cutting track, especially curves, to exact length or degree of curvature.  I found this to be very true when working with Ross and Atlas.

Jan

Jan, very true. That and the ability to specify exact dimensions for objects is what I miss most in SCARM. I’ve gotten fairly good at “snipping” track in SCARM by overlaying tracks, but it’s still tedious.

I've used RR-Track for years.  It's easy to use, robust libraries, great functional tools, and what I find most appealing is after being away from it, sometimes for a year or so, it's easy to pick and use.  Bottom line, I like it. I tried SCARM. Prefer RR-Track.  Oh, I agree with DENNIS, just decide what you want and order RR-Track online.

One more thing, and it is important, is that SCARM comes with all the track libraries for all manufacturers' scales and gauges at no additional cost.

RRT comes with a very comprehensive collection of buildings which SCARM lacks.  There is not an easy way to add your own.

If you choose to use RRT save your work every now and then.  I believe that it freezes when the "undo" stack overflows.  I would lose several hours worth of work (and hair) when it would freeze.  After getting into the habit of doing occasional saves, I've never had another freeze.

Jan