SCARM track planning software - Hello from the author

Having a ball is right, this is really fun!  Thanks for some fun software.  Russ

Triple deck baseboards, now to do two helix's add in some trees a little scenery and . . . .

have you discovered the new layers feature? great for track work and objects to separate the them. it's the layered rectangle icon on the tool bar. makes helix work easier if you have to adjust a section for grade.

Will keep the track work from being a mess in 2D mode.

Whichever layer is selected is the one that you'll see. Then select all for the full view.

@Stewart: Not sure what is happening, but the top left corner of the menu on the first screenshot should be over the baseboard contour in order to appear the "Insert New point" item. I will try to check that with a second monitor in the next days.

@Russ: You are creating wonderful things with SCARM. Looking forward to see the tracks on that huge triple-deck layout. As Moonman said, the Layers in the recent version of SCARM can be of great help in such complex designs.

Mixy

the program "scarm" looks so cool - helpful, etc

but

for the novice, the newbe, the noob, the unlearned

where are the beginning instructions, the FIRST - i really want to learn this program

thanks rdeal

Hello Rdeal,

You can begin from here:Getting Started with SCARM and then watch the SCARM Video Tutorial Series.

Mixy

When I first downloaded the SCARM software I was a little overwhelmed as to what to do next?  So I clicked on HELP and looked at ALL of the details outlined there.  Keyboard shortcuts, brief how to's, good stuff.  Then I made a really simple 'around the tree' layout.  Made a building, planted a tree, and then . . . . . If you've ever played around with any object oriented graphics program it is quite similar to all of them.  Object versus a paint program, means you create individual elements that remain individual and can be manipulated later if need be.  This is solid code, I have stressed it a little and have had no failures!   OK off to play at the live steam park and then back to SCARM this afternoon.  See ya!  Russ

It can be used at a very simple, or complex level. So its more like, what do you want to do once you've figured out how to set a start point, and move track around?

rdeal,

The SCARM program is a amazing free piece of software you have developed.  I am a mechanical engineer and quite often have to work with CAD and Revit so the modeling and idea behind it is great.  Paired with being user friendly is also very good for those new to the game.  I started a thread for just SCARM layouts and images, I hope you can see and post some of your own and see what people can create with that great software.

Thanks

From one CAD programmer to another, great job!

Taking what measurements I found in the MTH catalog for ScaleTrax, I created a track lib for SCARM. Its missing some of the longer turnouts. Maybe someone has the measurements for those.  I have attached it to this message.

These measurements are unverified and are based on the info available in the MTH Catalog.

Paul, give the file a different name, as it's unofficial and unverified. Mixy (the author's forum name) would not want someone using it and thinking it was an application error if the layout didn't fit properly.

I would suggest you email him. He has been seeking assistance to create a library for this track. He needs actual track measurements.

Thanks for the work, but be careful and add a note of caution to such files.

Thank you Paul, for creating of the MTH ScaleTrax library for SCARM

If somebody have these tracks in real and wants to help us with verifying of the dimensions, especially for the turnouts, please, write here or drop me an e-mail at .

Mixy

I just used the layers feature of SCARM.  It works great for separating out buildings, trees and other structures from the track.  Great work on that feature.  So far, after several weeks of use, I have not discovered any "undocumented features" in the program (bugs).

What language was SCARM written in?

Paul

PS I have a technical question that I can't find the answer to in the documentation.  How do you make lakes and rivers in SCARM ?

Is there a way to put down bare track, that is no ballast?  I have a need, thanks.  Russ

The only thing I've seen is to draw an object and color it blue to make lakes or rivers.  Use the polygon function to draw the object.

@Paul: Yes, the proper way to make a river is with Polygon figure. See an example here: Rivers And Lakes in SCARM.

@Russ: You will need to edit the library file in order to modify the track drawing style. That is used for some special tracks in the different libraries. What is your need?

Mixy

There are a couple of structures I would like to play with that just laying the rails down would make it appear more like the model.  Also I would like to play around and see if I can do some overhead trackage like the El in Chicago.  Just messin' around mostly and having fun.  Thanks.  Russ

OK, you can try the following: select some track and copy/paste its statement in a new row in the library file. Then add the following row below the copied one:

RP|[-RB]

That should remove the roadbed in 3D viewing mode for the new track.

Mixy

Got it, thanks for your help.  I haven't played down at the code level just the 'normal' user interface stuff.  I will have a little time this week to mess around in there and probably get it all screwed up!    But I have everything backed up!  Thanks again.  Russ

Mixy - Worked like a champ!  Thanks again for a great piece of code, having fun!  Russ

I made bare straight track for a trestle image with just long rectangles to represent the rails, and separate rectangles for the ties. It looks OK from a distance. It's easy to make one item or one section then just copy, and copy again to make more. I'll be interested to try out Mixy's method with the modified coding.

What special zip software are you referring to?  

This looks like a standard zip file.

Paul

There was a link to a link on the SCARM site that I didn't like, but now I see I don't have to use it. My mistake.

The new SCARM v. 0.9.28 is ready and published. Read more about it here:

SCARM Layout Designer 0.9.28 Released

There are several bugfixes and one new (actually it is quite old) O scale library for Lionel Super O tracks. Hope you will like the new version

Mixy

Thanks for the new track library. There are enough layout builders that like Super-O. It will also help recreating Lionel's Dealer Display layouts.

You need to beware of the download.  3 of the add on had Malware. My security blocked them but still had to recover my laptop and remove unwanted installs. 

I just spent a half an hour fighting off an attack. It started as soon as I started downloading the updated scarm file.

Hello Suzukovich,

I am sorry to see that SCARM download caused you such problems. Please, let me know about the ad links, that you think leads to malware. Post them to  and I will block these in my AdSense profile. I do not expect Google to provide ads with malware, but there is no 100% guarantee for that. I checked the SCARM installer and program executable and they are clean, according to VirusTotal service - see the report here:

Antivirus report for SCARMsetup_0_9_28.exe

Antivirus report for scarm.exe

Mixy

I think the issue with the possible virus problems could be here...

The "ad ware" that is on your site had "download" links that are very bright and bold and could be confusing some visitors and they select the wrong download link.

you may want to consider having the site hosted where they don't insert malicious ad-ware like this appears to be. 

Paul

No problems with the new install, and thanks for the slope mode!

There are numerous "update" or "download" buttons that appear and usually at places that look like they belong to the subject you are reading. Pretty sure they have nothing to do with the program.

My anti-virus (McAfee) alarm goes off almost every time I visit the website for help.

 No problems with the new install.

Is it possible to add a custom cuttable piece of straight track into Ross library that could be used as odd length filler or extender I believe I can use a piece of Gargraves flex to do that now.  Also, is there any way of making half or quarter pieces of the standard curves? I know its not supplied by the manufacturer, but certainly easy enough to fabricate with a saw for my own use.  Working on a large club layout and getting away from the stock pieces in designing would be a plus.

  I think you could just copy the file for 1 piece of GG flex from the program files, and paste a copy of the selection into each other brand/type file you use, if that would help. If you do it, and it works, but causes other issues let Mixey know.   

I didn't get a whole lot of chance to play with the Super O yet, but so far so good Mixey. Thanks.

Here is an object I've been playing with...... Not yet, under attack, did not load scarm update yet either!......cpu is clockin big.......signing off ...later

Yes, use the Gargraves or Atlas O flex. It will give you the correct length in the track plan.

A little math to make the custom curve pieces. if you hover over an 072 curve for example, you will see that it's a 36 degree radius and 22.5°.

Open the tool box and flex track tool and enter in 36 radius and then choose the arc angle that you need. Say a half of a curve. enter 11.25°. Connect a pice of flex track to an active point, hit the curve button, then the fix. Now you have half of a sectional.

If the layout needs something really creative just change the angle, until you get the curve that you need.

He won't put in pieces in the library if the manufacturer doesn't produce it. So, that's your work around.

Edit: added snip of Ross 072 and cut pieces. Once you make one you can copy, paste and move if you need more on the track plan.

Hey I'm back..PITA but have had much worse..I clicked an abc news article only, took 30 seconds to load, read, came here, issue began...any how...

 An object I made, just use it for graphic appeal if you like (its an object like a house, not track to be used by the track laying features) Pretty accurate caliper measurements. ("snap-tight" section is changed from what I sent you Mixey. It was offset and missing a tiny piece on the female sections) 

For those that don't know the text files below can be "opened with" SCARM.

Change of file ending to txt or scarm is the only difference.

Why else would a grown man play with SCARM  This is an old one, has to be changed to Super O, and spruced up.(2ncd or third project) before I could grab "groups" copy/ paste/move every block. Nothing but eyeballing & winging it. Study shows Gomez used at least 2-3 different layouts in the clips, I say 3. Some standard O tubular can be seen. Note the "special controller" he used.

I have noodle with SCARM a bit but with no success.

I'll experiment a little more before I panic.

It would be useful to get it down as I am on the verge of building a brand new layout.

First the new release is working fine, no layer issues as I had in the past.

Second Michael do a sketch on paper, take a snap, and upload it and we will try and get you started in the right direction.

Don't give up Micheal! There are lots of folks better then me, but if you need help just ask. An open program like this, can be simply, or deeply used. Don't raise the training wheels too high till your ready. I'm still leaning on mine in the curves. 

Here are listed the SCARM railroad blog posts for January 2015.

Check How To Make Control Panels and Diagrams for SCARM Track Plans article if you want to know more about how to draw a stylized diagrams of your layouts like the example below of oval with one siding.



The next version of SCARM will be published soon, I hope

Mixy

Hey Mixy,

I am working on a layout for my Dad and he is running primarily Marx tinplate trains with a few Lionel trains mixed in.

I was wondering if you could include some Marx switches in the next version.  Marx was an inexpensive alternative to Lionel and American Flyer.  I did find a catalog of sorts with the Marx switches.  I have attached the pages with switches.  How should I measure what I have?

Thanks for the great software!

Russell M.