- Drawing Software For Model Railroad Planning On Mac Download
- Architectural Drawing Software For Mac
- Drawing Software For Model Railroad Planning On Macbook Pro
- Drawing Software For Model Railroad Planning On Mac Free
SCARM means Simple Computer Aided Railway Modeller – a free software for simplified design of scaled railway layouts and creation of railroad model track plans. With SCARM you can easily create your desired layout – just download the installation package and start editing your first track plan. Mar 11, 2020 RR-Track v5 is the answer for all your toy or model train layout design headaches. No more templates to struggle with, no messy erasing and scribbling, no emergency table extensions propped on sawhorses, no last second hacking of the Xmas tree, just pop up the menus off this fully graphical software in the gauge of your choice and plan away. XTrackCAD is a CAD program for designing model railroad layouts. You can easily create layout of any scale or size. Libraries for many brands, scales and gauges of track and turnouts/points and model structures are included. Adding new components is easy with the built-in editor. It runs on Windows, Mac.
When I started in the hobby the only way to draw a track plan was to do it by hand with a pencil, eraser, ruler, and geometry set. For years I used the 'all gauges track planning template' in the back of Kalmbach's book 101 Track Plans for Model Railroaders by veteran model railroader Linn Westcott. I would use tracing paper over the template. I still have the soft-covered book. It has some great plans from small shelf layouts to 4' X 8' layouts all the way up to basement-sized pikes. There are also some great appendices with planning information.
One of the advantages of using the template was the quick learning curve! Everyone knows how to trace with a pencil.
Now we have a plethora of track planning software, but the learning curve can be steep. A familiarity with computer-assisted-drawing (CAD) software is certainly an asset.
The first track planning software I used was 'Design Your Own Railroad' on 'The Train Pak' CD by Abracadata. Then I 'graduated' to CADRail. I still use CADRail and have even used it to draw a backyard deck. As it is essentially a CAD program you are not limited to using it for model railroad planning.
Because CADRail (and other programs) employ layers, it is possible to keep benchwork, track, wiring and scenery on different layers to keep everything organized. Many of the programs have libraries of turnouts, other trackwork, scenery items and sometimes, electrical symbols. Or you can draw your own turnouts. A handy use of the layers is to make sure you don't have benchwork cross members interfering with turnout controls like a hanging Tortoise machine. There is usually a way of adding text, too.
It's still a good idea to lay out your trackwork on the floor, on top of the plywood, or on a big sheet of brown paper. Translating the computer drawing into reality doesn't always work out the way you plan.
Below are some of the other track planning software packages available. I don't have experience with all of them so you're on your own. The free Atlas software is really for their brand of track. Most of the software is for a PC. The only Mac software I know about is RailModeller. I do most of my computer work, including this website, on a Mac. However, I still do track planning on a Windows 2000 equipped PC. That's also where my copy of Trainz resides.
- Abracadata: The Train Pak (costs. Includes Train Engineer. Windows/DOS program)
- Atlas: Right Track Software (free)
- El Dorado Software: 3rd Planit (costs. Alternative to CADRail)
- Sandia Sofware: CADRail (costs. The one I use)
- AnyRail: AnyRailModelspoor (free trial. Have never tried it)
- XTrackCAD Model RR Track Planning (Have no experience. Comments suggest a steep learning curve unless you know CAD)
- Mac Rail Soft: Rail Modeller (shareware, free trial. For MAC. I have tried this one)
There may be other track planning software programs out there, but I haven't come across them. You can find all these easily through Google so I haven't put the web addresses here. You can use the Custom Search feature in my right hand column.
One major advantage of using track planning software is that you have a permanent record on your computer and can make changes as your layout develops. I use CADRail to keep track of all the wiring on the signals we're installing on my Utopia Northern layout so that I know which color-coded wire goes to which signal head in which block. I'm sure you can think of other uses and they don't have to be to scale or on the same drawing. The image below was drawn for me in the Microsoft Paint program by fellow NMRC club member, Martin Alborough. This is another alternative if you don't need a CAD-type scale drawing. Good luck with your planning.
Go from 'track-planning-software' to my Track overview.
Return from 'track-planning-software' to my Home Page.
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.| Home |
With SCARM you can easily create the layout of your dreams. Just download the setup package, install it and start editing your first track plan.
In SCARM you can use unlimited number* of tracks and objects from more than 205 libraries and instantly see your design in 3D preview with a single click.
And don't forget: Enjoy the hobby and have fun with the model trains
| Contents |
Version 1.7.0 Multilingual
for Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10
for your inspiration
| Testimonials |
What a fantastic piece of software. I discovered it a few weeks ago, and I’ve been having great fun with it ever since. Thanks again for a terrific program.
Ken Ray
SCARM Blog
This is an amazing tool, really great work. Simple and easy to handle. I installed it yesterday evening and immediately started with track planning. Thanks a lot!
Thomas a.k.a thoern @ stummiforum.de
| Download |
|
After installing, start the program and select your preferred language from 'View' > 'Language' menu.
If you are upgrading from a previous beta version, please, read the article Everything About The Transition to SCARM 1.0.0.
| Features |
What you can do with SCARM software?
- You can create complex railroad layouts with many train stations on virtually unlimited area
- You can shape flex-tracks easily, intuitively and most important – in very realistic way
- You can deploy your layout on more than one level, with different heights and slopes for chosen sections of the track route
- You can place tunnels and bridges on the track plan
- You can draw figures to create buildings of train stations, houses, industries, etc. together with all needed roads and infrastructure
- You can use semaphores and color light signals to create the signalling in the layout track route
- You can see a 3D view of your layout - just select '3D' button from the toolbar and review your design from all sides and angles
- You can measure distances and check track sections' lengths using the 'Tools' menu
- You can export and/or print your layout and share it with other model train fans and enthusiasts
- You can view and print a list with the track pieces needed and even use it as a shopping list
- You can extend the functionality of the main program with various extensions like the Model Trains Simulator
- You can share your ideas with the author, request new features and report bugs and errors, if you find any
| Included Track Libraries |
The current version of SCARM software supports more than 205 track and object libraries.*
- American Flyer S
- Bassett Lowke O Hand-made tracks
- Faller HO AMS
- Faller O Hit Train
- Faller O eTrain
- Fleischmann H0 Modell
- Fleischmann H0 Profi
- Hornby OO
- Hornby OO Dublo 2-rail
- Hornby OO Dublo 3-rail
- Hornby O 2-rail
- Hübner I
- Jatt ТТ Bima (turntable only)
- Jouef H0 New rails 1998-2000/01
- Kato N Unitrack
- LGB G
- Lima H0
- Lima H0 NEM120
- Lima H0 Hobby Line
- Lionel O Super O
- Lionel O K-Line SuperStreets
- Märklin H0 Alpha
- Märklin H0 C
- Märklin H0 M
- Märklin H0 3600 series
- Märklin H0 3900 series
- Märklin Z Miniclub
- Marx O27
- Peco N Streamline & Set-track C80
- PIKO H0 Standard
- PIKO H0 Modell
- PIKO N
- Rivarossi H0
- Roco H0 2.5mm Nickel Silver
- Roco H0 2.5mm Brass
- Tillig TT Standard (BTTB/Zeuke)
- Tri-ang OO Series 3
- Tri-ang OO Super 4
- Tri-ang TT A
- Tri-ang TT B
- Trix HO C
- Trix HO Express
- Wesa 13mm
- Signals BG L
- Signals DE S
- Signals IT L
- Signals NL L
- Signals UK L
- Signals UK S
- Signals US L
- Roadways
- Road signs CA
- Road signs EU
- Road signs US
- Lamps
- Trees
- Compasses
- Containers
Requires download - Cars (sedan)
Requires download
Drawing Software For Model Railroad Planning On Mac Download
* Some of the libraries are not fully completed. Data accuracy is not guaranteed. More libraries will come soon.
| Information, Tutorials & Resources |
The SCARM Blog is your ultimate source for updated information about the program. It contains many useful articles and resources about SCARM.
- SCARM – The Railway Modeller’s Blog
The blog contains the following categories:
- General - General information, news and events, related to SCARM software
- Basic Stuff - SCARM basics and main features in details
- Advanced Techniques - For those who wants to become SCARM experts
- Tips & Tricks - Getting most productivity in your work with SCARM
- Tutorials & Examples - How-To’s and demos of using various SCARM functions and features
- Railroad Layouts & Design Ideas - Railway track plans, whole SCARM layouts and more for your inspiration
- Problems & Solutions - Troubleshooting in SCARM and workarounds of potential issues
Do not miss the video tutorials about SCARM created by Ruud Boer and J. B. aka Gilshrat.
- SCARM Video Tutorial Series
If you are looking for examples and projects designed in SCARM software, go to the special Layouts & Track Plans website and search by scale, size, track system and more.
- SCARM Model Train Layouts & Track Plans
Join us on the social sites, share your comments and stay up-to-date with all news and events, related to SCARM software.
| Useful Links |
Check out these links to other model train related sites and resources.
- RailServe.com - The Internet Railroad Directory
- ScaleModel.net - International list of scale model related web sites
- Model Railroads and Freight Cars - List of useful model railroading guides and resources
- ScalaTT.it - Creative model railways
- TT Scale Model Trains - The Perfect Gauge
- Streka.net - Site for the real and model railways
Architectural Drawing Software For Mac
- ANKA - Hearing aids, blood glucose & lactate meters, speech devices & cannulas, service and consumables
Program & Features
Drawing Software For Model Railroad Planning On Macbook Pro
Help & Resources
Info & Feedback
Support SCARM
Drawing Software For Model Railroad Planning On Mac Free
All mentioned brands and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.