Model Train Talk South Africa

Model Train Talk Workshop => Layout Design => Topic started by: BigEd on November 23, 2016, 08:52:10 AM

Title: Layout design software - XtraCAD (free!)
Post by: BigEd on November 23, 2016, 08:52:10 AM
I know every single person on this forum have their own preference but this one ticks a very box for me: FREE!

All you'll need here http://www.xtrkcad.org/Wikka/HomePage

Tech talk mode ON **

I downloaded this over the weekend but I couldn't get the MAC version working (just too complex for me), so I created a Windows 7 Virtual Machine and now is running XtraCAD with that.

The software package (downloading) is quite small, then extracts into a whole bunch of items.

Tech Talk mode OFF **

I found a tutorial site and followed it and within a few hours I not only mastered most of it, I also designed a little layout me and Evert are planning... Screen print below...

What I find particularly interesting is that you can load your track templates and then just use that - quite handy for Marklin M track, Kato Unitrack, etc.
Title: Re: Layout design software - XtraCAD (free!)
Post by: BigEd on November 23, 2016, 08:58:02 AM
From this
Title: Re: Layout design software - XtraCAD (free!)
Post by: BigEd on November 23, 2016, 09:00:05 AM
To this...
Title: Re: Layout design software - XtraCAD (free!)
Post by: BigEd on November 23, 2016, 09:02:17 AM
There are a lot more to be done with this software, like layers from bench work up, or elevations. You can also do buildings
Title: Re: Layout design software - XtraCAD (free!)
Post by: BigEd on November 23, 2016, 09:13:34 AM
Oh, and rolling stock etc.

There is also a Yahoo list for XtraCAD. https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/XTrkCad/info
Title: Re: Layout design software - XtraCAD (free!)
Post by: LooVille on November 23, 2016, 09:17:12 AM
Awesome, I need to play around with that software  :thumb:
Nice one Ed.....
Title: Re: Layout design software - XtraCAD (free!)
Post by: ColWer on November 23, 2016, 03:18:43 PM
Awesome Ed. I like that layout. Will be great for my Z gauge coffee table.  :D