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XTrkCAD accuracy Benchwork and roadbed
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Prolific poster 3,839 posts LKandO Prolific poster 3,839 posts
LKandO

Kudos to the developer of XTrkCAD. The LK&O track plan was created using it. My construction approach is to use the print function of XTrkCAD to create a 1:1 blueprint which I will use initially for open grid benchwork construction, specifically the positioning of cross-members so as not to interfere with switch machine locations. Afterwards, I plan on using the same print to mark track centers for cookie cutter and approximate spline locations.

The print operation will consume approximately 400 8.5x11 pieces of paper per deck (907 pieces if I print the entire room including aisles). That's a lot of paper and ink. Before I begin I wanted to verify the dimensional accuracy of XTrkCAD's representation of the Walthers C83 track components to the real thing plus verify my printer is actually outputting exact 1:1 scale. I test printed a roughly 4ft x 4ft area of the plan that contained multiple turnouts both straight and curved. The pages were trimmed to remove margins and taped together using the rule printed by XTrkCAD for alignment. On top of this were placed the actual Walthers turnouts.

I am overjoyed to report the XTrkCAD print is spot on both in accurately sizing and positioning the Walthers track components and in creating an accurate rule on each page.Sweet! 8 reams of paper from now I will have full sized site plans for both decks. Lovin' it!

Alan

All the details:  http://www.LKOrailroad.com        Just the highlights:  MRH blog

When I was a kid... no wait, I still do that. HO, 28x32, double deck, 1969, RailPro
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Kevin Rowbotham Prolific poster 2,336 posts
Kevin Rowbotham

Yup, XTrkCAD ROCKS!

IMO, of course. :o)

~Kevin

Appreciating Modeling In All Scales but majoring in HO!

Not everybody likes me, luckily not everybody matters.
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Benny MRH Author 7,112 posts
Benny

In the spirit of MRH...

And the best part about XTrkCAD...Did you mention that it's FREE?

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Benny's Index or Somewhere Chasing Rabbits
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Kevin Rowbotham Prolific poster 2,336 posts
Kevin Rowbotham

Indeed FREE!

Quote:

And the best part about XTrkCAD...Did you mention that it's FREE?

Exactly!

And, if you follow the FREE demos included in the XtrkCAD help menu, it's easy to learn as well, IMO.

~Kevin

Appreciating Modeling In All Scales but majoring in HO!

Not everybody likes me, luckily not everybody matters.
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FKD Regular poster 248 posts
FKD

Free Yes - Easy well?

Absolutely FREE - and that's great.

EASY - well I would not call it easy, but it is not rocket science either.  I've played at a few CAD programs and a couple of MRR drafting programs and find that it took me a while to be able to get Xtrak to work for me.  Kept at it and slowly it is coming along.  Still need to sort out how to put in elevations, but I'm sure that to will come along.   But as computer drafting programs go this one can be learned with some effort.  And I am sure if I used it more it would become easier.

 

David 

aka Fort Kent Dad or FKD for short

Alberta, Canada
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Kevin Rowbotham Prolific poster 2,336 posts
Kevin Rowbotham

OK

I said easy to learn, but it takes time and practice to master it.

I would advise people new to XtrkCAD and wanting to learn it, to go through the demos, noting shortcuts, keyboard modifiers and tools/methods etc.  Then play with Xtrk for a week.  Then go through the demos again taking more time to understand more advanced features.  Making a quick reference card is often a good idea for CAD users.

One thing I like about Xtrk is the ability to play any demo while you are working on a plan, close the demo and continue working.

~Kevin

Appreciating Modeling In All Scales but majoring in HO!

Not everybody likes me, luckily not everybody matters.
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Benny MRH Author 7,112 posts
Benny

It is easy to pick up a

It is easy to pick up a paintbrush, dip it in paint, and put paint on a canvas.

It is another story altogether to paint a mona lisa!! But if you never do the first step, or put it off to some far off day, you'll never get to the last step!

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Benny's Index or Somewhere Chasing Rabbits
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