Looking for a free layout program to design a layout

How in the world could you possibly design a layout on an iPhone? That's the wrong tool...

RR Track is not free, but it is a well respected program for designing model train layouts. Russ is also a long-time advertiser with OGR.

Just remember that in the software world you often get what you pay for. 

A forum search will get you the answers you seek.  But in a nut shell, there is no layout software for mobile devices, none would work with out a mouse plain and simple.  As for free, there are two main ones that I have used.  SCRAM is the main one I use, and I like it, but it's Windows only.  The other is XTrackCAD.  It's harder to use, but is open source and have a version for all 3 PC platforms.

I would use a computer.  Either Windows or Mac.  I think there are more options for Windows.

For "Free" I have used SCARM.  You can get it here:

http://www.scarm.info/index.php

I found it a little quirky for my tastes, but then again I'm a software engineer, so I'm overly critical.  Overall its a very good software and it works for the two track systems I tested it with.

For cost and the one I like the best is RR-Track.  As Rich says, definitely not free!  It also has a few quirks with some of its implementation that I had to get used to, but it wasn't a big deal.  I just wish the developer had more standard UI experience to do more things in a more universal way, but it isn't a big deal.  I believe RR-Track only runs on windows by the way or under mac in an emulator or duel boot situation.

Both design systems fail when it comes to grades though.  They don't accurately allow for some fitter pieces you will need as you start raising the track from an "adjacent" ("a") level to a "hypotenuse" ("c").  If you recall, from school the Pythagorean Theorem, a^2 + b^2 = c^2.

In most design tools, you layout your design on ground level "side a" and connect the tracks up to what will be the top level may be 6 or 7 inches higher (side "b"), then you set a grade.  The software is not smart enough to know that you will need some extra track for side "c" of that triangle you just created and you will have some fitting issues if you don't have some smaller extra pieces to fill in.

Essentially, they all assume that if you start with a track of length a and you raise it up some height, it won't compensate for side c which must be longer to keep the geometry correct and the fit perfect.

If you are aware of this, its not big deal.

Good luck with your track planning and design.

another vote for scarm on the computer. 

however, can't you do some basic layout design with the lionel LCS app on the ipad? 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/ap...lcs/id666934678?mt=8

Railmodeller Pro is available for mac. One member has been using it. So, far so good.

I also vote for Scarm.

Since we are voting I like RR Track. I will vote RR Track,

I use RR-Track, but from what I've seen, SCARM looks like a pretty good product.

I like RR Track by far, I tried Scram but I could not get it to work very well for me.  Probably just me since I am use to RR Track.  I am up to 20 modifications or expansions.

Ken M

SCARM is the best that is available for free. (Not "SCRAM"). 

http://www.scarm.info/index.php

I have been making- -for longer than I'd like to admit- -paper & pencil sketches of a planned two-level HO shelf layout attached to two or perhaps even three walls. Total frustration...very little, if any, progress. After reading the design features described by the RR-Track website, I will definitely order a suitable software package. I am confident that the above-noted "roadblock" will be a distant memory. Thanks, Rich et al., for recommending this product!

Oops, I always get it backwards.

Thanks for the info on RR software.

My problem with scarm is, as you said, it won't do cut pieces.

I'm glad I didn't pay for a program, only to find it didn't either.

You should be able to close a gap and the program tell you how long it is. 

GV,

I'm a SCARM user and a fan too. 

As far as cut pieces, I just lay the next size up over the top of the piece I'm linking to and move on.  You can use the ruler to determine its length.  Then when you build the layout, you're going to buy a bigger piece and cut it anyway.  The parts list will be accurate, and the overlap will indicate where a piece has to be cut.

Ed

When a manufacturer doesn't produce a track, it's not included.

Here's how you do it. You are working with Lionel O FasTrack and need a 4" piece. There is no combination. Select tools, Toolbox. Then select Flex-Tool from the Toolbox menu. Select Atlas or Gargraves flex. It will appear wiggly on the last start point. Enter 4 in the flex tool straight box, select straight and then select fix. You now have a 4" straight.

To find the length of any piece of track, right-click on it and select length of selected section.   You can use CTRL+left-click to select multiple tracks and do the same right-click to find the length.

The are some simple tools missing from SCARM, like easement or cut track, but you can create them. The author is continuing to develop the software and is adding to the library, tools and features as it matures. Its a very powerful application, self-contained, can be run from a thumb drive and stays out of your operating systems.

I can tell you that every layout that I've built in SCARM can be copied track for track in RRT v.5 and it fits exactly the same. The RRT files are 3 times larger.

Moonman

The point was, with a paid program I would be unhappy that it would not do this.

In SCARM,

I will give that a try. How do you what the exact measurement is?

Thanks

Using SCARM, once the track is placed (note: I used only a portion of the 10" piece and just placed the curve over it), Select the measuring tool and extend it from one end of the short segment to the other.  The length will be displayed at the bottom of the screen. (not shown in this zoomed in view)

The red arrow shows you where the measuring tool is selected.  The blue arrow is where you would stretch the measuring tool to get a measurement (4.81"- cut out of a 10" piece, or a 5").... simple!

And the parts list will include the 10" piece you need to cut down to 4.81".

Ed

Ed,

that's ok until your want to set a grade there.

No, problem. I thought I'd provide the workaround for you. Then you can continue your evaluation.

I evaluate as many as I can and keep returning to SCARM.

Back to the OP's question...SCARM is the only freeware available.

Thanks Moonman

I do like SCARM. Haven't explored much, other than making basic plans.

Another vote for RR-Track. Tried the others, didn't care for them. You get what you pay for. Even with all the track libraries, it's a $130 max. That's just a nice dinner tab for a party of 4 nowadays.

And yes, get yourself a desktop or laptop computer.

.

Phil, what part of "Free" didn't you understand in the thread title?

That will be solved in the upcoming version of SCARM 

Mixy