[Peter_Harvey]

Can anybody recommend some Layout Design Software preferably that can be used with uk model plans peco track and so on?

Pete

 

[alibuchan]

Pete,

xtrkCAD is a good program but takes a while to learn. has all of the peco track on it.

get it at http://www.sillub.com/

Its free too

Alistair

 

[Brian Considine]

QUOTE (Peter_Harvey @ 1 Jan 2007, 18:18) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Can anybody recommend some Layout Design Software preferably that can be used with uk model plans peco track and so on?

Pete

You could try winrail - it has virtually every trackage system in it's database.

 

[Makemineadouble]

if you do download Xtrckcad, a few tips.
look for the key for the program then you'll have no restrictions. Its on the site cut and paste into Xtrck
Set up the perameter files by unticking the track libraries you don't want for that particular drawing
set the room size in inches, and check the grid size in inches
untick sticky you don't need it
set the scale to H/O if your drawing a oo layout
practice a bit it, gets easier
it's a good program

 

[Peter_Harvey]

has anyone got a copy of version 3.1.4 XTrckcad and i cant get it from the website.

Pete

 

[alibuchan]

http://dl.winsite.com/bin/downl?27000000038012

it should download automatically

reload the page and click on England

Alistair

 

[Peter_Harvey]

Thanks Alistair

 

[Peter_Harvey]

Is it possable to get the peco set track and stream line oo track work for Xtrckcad ?

Pete

 

[Makemineadouble]

yes File/Parameters/untick all (labourious) tick Peco HO and there you have set track including 1/2/3 curves.
regards

 

[Peter_Harvey]

are there any peco/wills buildings for xtrack or how do you create them ?

Pete

 

[Makemineadouble]

no, there's no buildings, your best bet is to use the square drawing tool and create your own foot print, it isn't difficult.

 

[ironduke]

The peco param file has settrack sections but no settrack points (unless it's been updated since I got XtrkCad)

If you go to the bottom of my layout page there's some extra parametre files for custom made structures as well as Hornby track and points which are the same geometry as Peco settrack points, just follow the instructions to install the files into your copy of XtrkCad.
(The part numbers aren't accurate for the structures.)

You can shift your own custom structures into parameter files by going to Tools, Custom Management. Select the item and click move to

 

[Peter_Harvey]

Thanks Rob these will be most useful.

Pete

 

[Leigh Bedford]

I'm in the process of planning a layout that
will be on two 6' by 4' boards so thanks for
the info everybody.

We're not building it to any particular
era or place. In fact, one half will be
based on the north of England and
on the other half will be buildings
and trains that are found in Canada.

The Canadian part will be hard to
reproduce though as the freight trains are
about 6 miles long over here!

 

[Peter_Harvey]

MMD can you explain to me how to set up for printing 1:1 with xtrckcad please as I want to print a layout design which is 1ft wide and 8ft long and I have the use of a drawing office plotter so I would like to do it in one long pice?

Pete

 

[Makemineadouble]

I'll have a go later I'm a bit tied up this morning
cheers for now

 

[ironduke]

Peter,
The following relates to a standard printer:
If you go to File, Print and choose a scale of 1 you'll notice a rectangular grid appears on the plan. Each rectangle represents a sheet of paper based on the size of paper selected for your printer (usually A4 here in Aus). Click to highlight the sheets that you want to print (you don't have to do the whole layout, just the track)
I usually tick "ignore page margins", so that you don't have to overlap the edges of the sheets when you lay them on the baseboard, and "print roadbed outline" because I use roadbed (underlay).
If you're in a hurry or just testing, go into setup and choose draft quality in printer properties, it's quicker and uses less ink.

I don't know how this relates to a plotter... do you really have an 8' sheet of paper??

When in the Print dialog, click Help to get help.

(sorry if I stole your thunder MMD)

 

[Makemineadouble]

Not at all ID it's many years since I needed to print 1:1 and I was struggling a bit, I've got there now

 

[mikelhh]

Very interesting thread - thanks for the tips! BTW IronDuke I visited your site - brilliant , especially making your own figures! I just have to try that.
Mike

 

[Peter_Harvey]

Thank you both of you I have managed to print now this will make things allot easyer.

Pete