SCARM vs. Atlas Right Track

I believe Atlas now uses SCARM as their track planning software. I would think it would cover all their track, new or old? I also use Atlas track, but the only change I know of is with the O-54 switches (making the 4.5" piece separate on the straight run).

Atlas Right Track is an older version of Atlas' free Atlas only track. SCARM now provides Atlas' freeware.

I would conclude that it depends on which software you are most comfortable using. Also, the older software may have issues in Win 10. 

I have a dozen or so switches, still in the box that are 10-15 years old.  

Does Right Track have all the "features" that SCARM does?  I tried using the Atlas software many years ago and was quickly frustrated.

I doubt that it does, SCARM is pretty well equipped. Although I haven't used it, I have seen many plans posted here that are very nice. Moonman is much better versed with it than me. I use RR-Track and still struggle with it most of the time. 

What size are your switches? As I said above, I know what has changed on the O-54's. There may have been a change to the O-72's, possibly the curved section, but if so I don't recall what it was? I believe all the other switches are the same size.

O-54, O-72, and I believe #7.5's

Are the changes to the switches you have noted documented anywhere?  I'd hate to settle on a plan and find out they don't fit, causing a fit...

I would just start fresh with SCARM.

When I first started with it, I just sat back and watched the video tutorials. Got up to speed pretty quickly. I believe the videos were produced by SCARM's author's friend.

HERE IS THE FIRST VIDEO

Good luck.

FWIW, RR-Track shows 2 different O54 switches, 1 with the long straight and 1 with the short straight. SCARM only shows the short one, so you have to remember to add the 4.5" straight if all you have is the longer switch.

The current Atlas Track Planning software is SCARM, though they apparently have their own install routine. The Help and other pages are mirror images of SCARM with just the header logo changed to Atlas. If you scroll down the Help page, you'll see Mixy's info. I don't know if there is any advantage/disadvantage to using the package from one site vs the other. Maybe Mixy will chime in.

Jim Harrington posted:

O-54, O-72, and I believe #7.5's

Are the changes to the switches you have noted documented anywhere?  I'd hate to settle on a plan and find out they don't fit, causing a fit...

As far as I know the 7.5s are the same size. I called Atlas about the O-54s and the change was in the straight section. They cut it down to 10" so it would be the same as a 10" straight piece. It was 14.5" for some other reason, so they now include a separate 4.5" piece with each O-54 switch. I asked about the O-72s as well, but I don't recall what they said other than something about the curved part of the switch? Of the O-72s I have, I didn't have any that were different. You could call Atlas about the O-72s, or check yours and compare to the ones in SCARM.  

I do have some O-54s of each type, some with 14.5" straight (old) and some with 10" & the additional 4.5" piece (new). I got on this because RR-Track has 2 different sizes of switch for O-72 & O-54, all others are the same. My thought would be that since Atlas made a deal with SCARM to use their program, SCARM would have the correct track/switch sizes, but I son't know that for a fact.

Dave beat me to it, he uses both RR-track and SCARM so he knows much more than me about all this.

Jim H. ,

Just measure the length of the switches - You should be ok with SCARM because it does not automatically add the removable 4.5" piece.

The length up to O54 is 10" for the through, O72 is 14.5" and the #5 is 20".

DoubleDAZ posted:

FWIW, RR-Track shows 2 different O54 switches, 1 with the long straight and 1 with the short straight. SCARM only shows the short one, so you have to remember to add the 1.75" straight (I believe) if all you have is the longer switch.

The current Atlas Track Planning software is SCARM, though they apparently have their own install routine. The Help and other pages are mirror images of SCARM with just the header logo changed to Atlas. If you scroll down the Help page, you'll see Mixy's info. I don't know if there is any advantage/disadvantage to using the package from one site vs the other. Maybe Mixy will chime in.

Dave, it's a 4.5 inch piece with the O-54s and it is on the straight.

rtr12 posted:

DoubleDAZ posted:

FWIW, RR-Track shows 2 different O54 switches, 1 with the long straight and 1 with the short straight. SCARM only shows the short one, so you have to remember to add the 1.75" straight (I believe) if all you have is the longer switch.

The current Atlas Track Planning software is SCARM, though they apparently have their own install routine. The Help and other pages are mirror images of SCARM with just the header logo changed to Atlas. If you scroll down the Help page, you'll see Mixy's info. I don't know if there is any advantage/disadvantage to using the package from one site vs the other. Maybe Mixy will chime in.

Dave, it's a 4.5 inch piece with the O-54s and it is on the straight.

I figured that out, it's fixed.

I figured you knew that, and it was just a slip up!!