[Mike Buckner]

SCARM takes a bit of getting used to. Especially if you've already got used to another program which works differently. Once you understand how SCARM works, it is a fine program and my first choice for creating accurate layout plans.

 

[Grifter_Guru]

I can echo the usuability of SCVARM, although for me it still lacks a good library of UK semaphore or Colour light signals. Of particular note is the lack of ANY FORM of gantry signals or the ability to "modify" (Id Est add-to) any singular signal. Quite a doozy when working with a complex layout or even a 3 or four track junction where a gantry would seem to be the best solution, or a section where a subsidiary signal is mounted on the post of a main signal..

 

[Mixy]

I published one nice gallery in the blog with very detailed SCARM screenshots, containing scenes from Indian Railways:

Farrukhabad And More From Indian Railways in SCARM

Here are just 3 of them:

These were created with the old v.0.9.24 without the cylinder figures. The new v. 0.9.25 will be able to produce even more realistic landscapes for those, who are interested to create rich virtual layouts in SCARM. Using the new and old figures, any kind of signals are possible to be custom build for a particular layout or junction in it.

Mixy

 

[Mixy]

IMPORTANT!

Several users reported for a problem with the new SCARM 0.9.25 after updating the old version. This is probably due to corrupted download of the installation package. It seems that sometimes installer is able to run even if it is not downloaded correctly, but after that, the program crashes on startup. If you also experience such problems, follow the steps described in the link below:

Resolving SCARM Installation Issues

This should help for fixing of bad setup package downloads.

Mixy

 

[16A]

Before downloading and without trawling through all the SCARM posts, can anyone tell me please - will it print out track diagrams/parts in 1:1 (eg in actual size for laying on a baseboard to get an idea of the finished layout).

Thanks.

 

[Mixy]

Hello Mike,

Yes, you can do full size printouts in SCARM. See how here:

Print Whole Layout in 1:1 Scale

Mixy

 

[16A]

Thanks Mixy that's of great help.....

 

[Mixy]

You are welcome

And here is the list with September's railway blog posts in the SCARM blog.

One of the articles explains the Favorite libraries in details and shows how they can be turned off (if you don't want them in the selection panel).

Mixy

 

[Mixy]

Many users asked about the file with the steam loco that I used for demonstration of the new cylinder features in v. 0.9.25. Here is it:

Drawing of Prussian T3 Steam Loco in SCARM

The article shows most of the steps in the drawing of the loco in 3D. Here are the parts of and the assembled wheelset:

See more pics in the blog post.

Mixy

 

[Chris Hallows]

Hi there I have managed to make a track plan with scarm software but I am struggling a bit with the heights. two tracks branch off at my junction the go round into a high level than back down rejoining the junction on the other side, effectively a figure eight. I changed the dimensions to inches instead of metric but I do not understand the dimensions on the plan and when I try to change one it changes all of them at the same time. for example on my plan the two tracks at the bottom curving round to the right and upwards are a gradient upto about 2" ie 50mm it then curves round and back across the front staying the same height before going back round and the descending down to rejoin the junction on the other side. I would post a pic on here but not sure how to post on this site.chris

 

[Mixy]

See the help topic about how to make gradients in SCARM: How to set heights and slopes in SCARM.

You need to select only the section with the tracks where you want to make a gradient. If you select the whole track plan, you will alter all the heights together as SCARM does not know where is the base level.

See also the video tutorial about the slopes here: SCARM Video Tutorials - Part 9 - Create a Ramp (Slope).

Mixy

 

[Grifter_Guru]

Mixy, I downloaded the T3 file, but when trying to load (open) it in SCARM, I keep getting an "access violation" error and the only thing that shows is the chassis hovering above the track...

I have the latest version of the software too, so I am not sure what the problem is? Compy is running Win7 pro 64 bit, 2 gig memory and 2.2ghz celeron processor (ugh! But only chip available in this compy).

Any idea's??

 

[Mixy]

QUOTE (Grifter_Guru @ 3 Nov 2014, 21:59) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Mixy, I downloaded the T3 file, but when trying to load (open) it in SCARM, I keep getting an "access violation" error and the only thing that shows is the chassis hovering above the track...

Are you receiving that "access violation" error only with T3 project file? If yes, it could be because the file is not downloaded correctly. Delete the T3 project file, then delete the browser's cache and download T3 file again.

Mixy

 

[Grifter_Guru]

Tried all that, still get the access violation.

Yes, it is only with the T3 file.

 

[Mixy]

Are you using the latest version 0.9.25 of SCARM? (T3 project file is giving that error on older versions, which does not support cylinder figures) Please, check in Help > About dialog box the version, just to be sure.

If you are with the latest version, tell me what is happening after getting of the error - are you able to continue working in SCARM? I.e. are you able to select and ungroup the drawing of T3?

Mixy

 

[Grifter_Guru]

Mixy, check my post #232 for compy details.

As to scarm, yes, it is the latest version, I have resolved the issue now in anycase. I deleted the prog folder and re-installed it which seems to have stopped the problem. Maybe a bug from when I upgraded?

Which reminds me that I wanted to ask a question.... Is it possible to remove the squares from around the symbols "square tiles" ? It's annoying not being able to see the diagram for the graph-paper, especially when wanting to export a "Clean" copy of it for use as a diagram for a control (mimic) panel and I would rather not spend the 2+ hours that it would require in removing every trace of the "tile borders" in paint.

That's not to say I am having a go about it, quite the opposite. The tiles have provided a VERY useful tool, it's just the tile borders being on the export file that is, to me at least, a problem.

 

[Jack Rouse]

I actually find SCARM very difficult to use, it is very user unfriendly.

I've been trying to get to grips with it again over the past couple of days, and compared to AnyRail, it still has a long way to go, the simple task of moving track if you have misplaced the start point is almost impossible.

I also tried to set the track heights according to the tutorial on the blog and in video's but it is so difficult, I found I could only increase the height, or decrease it one piece of track at a time, despite having a section selected, setting the heights was also annoying, all that mouse clicking, why can't it be set so that the start point is 0% and where the incline ends can be set at 2% ? then the software does the rest ?

 

[Grifter_Guru]

Mixy, This is what I was referring to about the tile borders...

This is directly exported from SCARM



And this, is after messing about for around to hours... At least I can now print this out and use it as a mimic diagram on a control panel!



Jack, in all honesty, it falls to personal choice, experience, how you like to do things, et-al. There is no "one-size-fits-all" software package for model railway design. I find it useful to my needs and it is actually ideal for a "quick" few minutes of laying out track. Once you find the swing of it, you know how to do things.

If you want to change the height of more than one section of track for a grade, simply select all the pieces then click on the end that you want to be the top of the grade. You should see a "O" inside a box appear and the UP and DOWN height adjustment icons illuminate (next to the girder bridge icon). Simply click on the UP height icon until the desired slope is desired.
Must admit though, fixed geometry pointwork is a real pain when trying to draw up a prototype plan!

 

[Campaman]

Come on Graham, just because you are finding SCARM difficult to use doesn't warrant you saying its user unfriendly, all software has a learning curve and its not easy for us software programmers to please every single user, even Microsoft can't please everyone.

SCARM has a learning curve as Mixy like most of us that develop free software can't spend the time and money doing usability studies, we have to design it to the best of our ability, its not always easy getting the user interface to act in a way to get a feature to work as simply as we want.

I assume by AnyTrain you are talking about AnyRail software, if so as well as the 50 piece trial version they also sell the software so have more incentive to develop it, saying that I don't find AnyRail to be any easier than SCARM, they both have learning curves just in different areas.

I also use Templot as I build my own track, that again has a very steep learning curve, but with determination and not trying to run before you can walk its a really good tool and does what is says it does and very well.

I think a lot of times with new software people try to do too much before getting a real grasp of the basics of how the software works.

Cheers

 

[Jack Rouse]

QUOTE (Grifter_Guru @ 4 Nov 2014, 13:38) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Jack, in all honesty, it falls to personal choice, experience, how you like to do things, et-al. There is no "one-size-fits-all" software package for model railway design. I find it useful to my needs and it is actually ideal for a "quick" few minutes of laying out track. Once you find the swing of it, you know how to do things.

If you want to change the height of more than one section of track for a grade, simply select all the pieces then click on the end that you want to be the top of the grade. You should see a "O" inside a box appear and the UP and DOWN height adjustment icons illuminate (next to the girder bridge icon). Simply click on the UP height icon until the desired slope is desired.
Must admit though, fixed geometry pointwork is a real pain when trying to draw up a prototype plan!

I guess I am going to have to play with it a lot more, I hate things beating me