Railmodeller (software for Mac)

Discussion in 'Track Design Software' started by Wolseley, Aug 1, 2018.

  1. Wolseley

    Wolseley Full Member

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    I first tried model railway planning software with SCARM, mainly because I wasn't sure if I even wanted to use software for this purpose, and as the availability of free software (which I mistakenly believed it to be, given the statements in their promotional material) was an added bonus. It was also one of the few programs to include Hornby Dublo 3 rail in its track library (for those of you who haven't come across my other posts here, the bulk of my collection is Hornby Dublo 3 rail, and my planned layout will use vintage Dublo track).

    The main problem for me, as I use a Mac, was that it was a Windows program. I did try running it using Wine, with mixed results, and ended up calling an old Windows laptop out of retirement to run SCARM instead, although the machine did run rather slowly. Then I found that SCARM suddenly and without warning wouldn't let me edit what I had done and also wouldn't let me create anything much more than a double oval of track, rendering it rather useless. Initially I decided to give up on track planning software altogether but, after a few weeks decided to have a look to see what else there was out there (I wasn't going to buy a licence for a program to run on a laptop that was running on borrowed time, nor did I want to pay money to a business that resorts to these sorts of tactics).

    It was then that I came across Railmodeller. It is available as a free limited version, Railmodeller Express (50 pieces of track only - unlike SCARM, they're upfront about this sort of thing) and an unlimited version, Railmodeller Pro, which cost around $60. Best of all, it is designed for Macs and it has Hornby Dublo 3 rail (not just track, but also accessories and buildings) in its library. It works more or less the same way as SCARM, although it works better, in fact it looks uncannily similar to it. I'm not sure how long Railmodeller has been around for, although I suspect it predates SCARM. Railmodeller also has track libraries for some slot car systems, if you're into that sort of thing.

    So, if you're looking for track planning software that will run on a Mac, there is one you can use without running Wine or something similar so that you can use a program that wasn't designed to run on your machine. Both the free and the full versions are available from the App Store.

    http://www.railmodeller.com/home-railmodeller.html

    https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/railmodeller-pro/id952380304?mt=12&ign-mpt=uo=4
     
  2. dpaws

    dpaws Full Member

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    I've been a user for some years - great little program with good libraries and sufficient accuracy to give a reasonable idea. Resize canvas to layout, zoom to 100 and export as image - which can then be printed to pdf without scaling to give you a paper version to lay stock on. It's not templot but for RTR trackwork you can't go wrong. Recommended.
     
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2018
  3. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    I use Anyrail. Does what I need and it's easy to use.
     
  4. dpaws

    dpaws Full Member

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    ....and is Windows only - Rail Modeller I think is the only native software for Macs
     
  5. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Apologies, I missed the point there completely. :avatar::facepalm: Dosey twat that I am. Yes, my Mac now sits in a mothballed state. Shame really as it's a nice machine.

    Cheers

    Toto
     
  6. dpaws

    dpaws Full Member

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    Bless ya Toto - go easy on yourself! :D Damn, now I'm curious... why did you mothball your Mac? lol
     
  7. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Not a big issue really, I had an issue getting the internet connection on it due to some sort of IP address configuration issue. I keep forgetting to get his nibs to look at it when he's visiting. One other issue ........ I can't get into what was my sort of office area for other things that have been stored in the room now.

    I think the Mac would be easily resolved once the settings were restored. It could make a come back yet. :avatar:
     
  8. dpaws

    dpaws Full Member

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    I'm led to believe there's a decent service centre somewhere north of the border... :D;)
     
  9. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Yeah ..... its located just off the Kingsway in Dundee. :avatar: its called Pauls Gaff :D
     
  10. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Apples like oranges are fruits, the only computing fruit I work with come in pies, raspberry pies :avatar:.

    Toto you'll have to get the mouse fixed first, it's missing some buttons.

    Ok I'll give it the once over next time, I'll borrow your favorite tool kit for fine tuning.

    Paul
     

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