XTrackCAD
 | |
| Original author(s) | Sillub Technology |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Bob Blackwell, Martin Fischer, Adam Richards |
| Initial release | 1.0 / 1996 |
| Stable release | 5.1.0
/ March 11, 2018 |
| Written in | C |
| Engine | |
| Operating system | Windows, Linux, Mac |
| Platform | PC |
| Available in | 4[1] |
| Type | CAD |
| License | GNU GPL 2+ |
| Website | xtrkcad |
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XTrackCAD — cross-platform free and open-source 2D CAD program for designing model railroad layouts with simple mechanical simulation capabilities. Version 5.1 onward runs on Windows, Linux and macOS. It is a fork of XTrkCad originally developed by Sillub Technology company located in Ottawa, Canada[2]. Currently it is maintained by a community of volunteers, including a few developers that took part in the development of the original XtrkCad.
History[edit]
A previous software package called XtrkCad was developed by Sillub Technology, and XtrkCad 1.0 was released in 1996[3][4][5] as paid proprietary software[6]. Cost was $US65 (or $CDN90 for residents of Canada)[7].
On January 30, 2004 the status of XtrkCad was changed to freeware software[8].
On December 31, 2004 status of software was changed to open-source[9].
On March 25, 2005 Sillub Technology released the code for XtrkCad 3.1.4 as open source under the terms of GNU GPLv2[10][11], development moved to separate repository[12] on SourceForge[13].
On April 27, 2007 active development was stopped[14].
In 2009 XtrkCad was forked[15] by Martin Fischer, who previously took part in XtrkCad development.
V5.1 which added Bezier tracks and objects and Cornu easements was released by Martin Fischer and Adam Richards in mid 2018.
V5.2 which has an upgraded UI for input and editing with Cornu for Flextracks as a primary feature is in Beta in mid 2020.
Features[edit]
Applications include:
- Modelling 2D railroad layouts – Draw track using curve, straight, bezier and arc track or using parts library. Join tracks using pre-built easements or Cornu easements. Draw objects using straight, arc, bezier, box and polygon lines or using parts.
- Modelling multilayer layouts – Set parts of layout on different elevation
- Preparing for printing – Print layout scheme in 1:1 scale or in any other scale
- Simulating train running – During modelling layout user could test run trains on it during development. The cars and engines can be created or drawn from a parts library.
XTrackCAD is free software distributed under GPLv2. Files to open need to be in its own text-based XTrackCAD Track (*.xtc) format. Various export formats are provided, including 2D vector drawing as DXF.
Appearances[edit]
XtrkCad is discussed a few times in «Ryan Andersen's The Model Railcast Show» podcasts[16][17][18][19].
In 2015 XTrackCAD was demonstrated on NMRA Australasian Region Convention 2015 conference, and later on January 2016 slides[20]. From this demonstration it was published in «MainLine»[21] journal.
On January 19, 2016 XTrackCAD was demonstrated by Jeremy Janzen at the Gateway NMRA Meeting[22][23].
See also[edit]
- List of computer-aided design editors for architecture, engineering and construction
- Comparison of CAD editors for CAE
References[edit]
- ↑ "The XTrackCAD Wiki: Localization". www.xtrkcad.org.
- ↑ Sillub Technology: Registration (archived on 2000-01-18)
- ↑ Sillub Technology: /files/xtrkcad.fix.txt (archived on 1999-02-22)
- ↑ Sillub Technology: XtrkCad What's New (archived on 1998-02-05)
- ↑ Sillub Technology: XTrkCad Changes (archived on 1998-02-05)
- ↑ Sillub Technology (archived on 1998-02-05)
- ↑ Sillub Technology: Order (archived on 1999-02-03)
- ↑ Sillub Technology: Registering XTrkCad (archived on 2005-02-05)
- ↑ XTrkCad model railroad track software is going open source - The Silicon Underground (archived on 2018-03-28)
- ↑ Sillub Technology (archived on 2005-03-23)
- ↑ Sillub Technology: XTrkCad What's New (archived on 2006-02-05)
- ↑ SourceForge.net: XTrkCad Model Railroad CAD (archived on 2008-10-15)
- ↑ Sillub Technology: XTrkCad Source Code (archived on 2006-05-04)
- ↑ SourceForge.net: XTrkCad Model Railroad CAD (archived 2008-10-15)
- ↑ "XTrkCAD Model RR Track Planner". SourceForge.
- ↑ Ryan Andersen, Tim Harrison (29 March 2008). "Ryan Andersen's Model Railcast Show #006" – via Internet Archive.
- ↑ Ryan Andersen, Tim Harrison (31 March 2008). "Ryan Andersen's Model Railcast Show #006B" – via Internet Archive.
- ↑ Ryan Andersen, Tim Harrison (6 April 2008). "Ryan Andersen's Model Railcast Show #007" – via Internet Archive.
- ↑ Ryan Andersen (15 November 2010). "Ryan Andersen's Model Railcast Show #127" – via Internet Archive.
- ↑ "An Introduction to XTrackCAD – User-friendly Layout Design Software» by Lyndon Spence" (PDF).
- ↑ "«MainLine» — The Journal of NMRA Australasian Region (Vol.33, №2, Winter 2016)" (PDF).
- ↑ "Plan Your Model Railroad with XTrkCAD – Gateway NMRA Meeting September 19, 2016". 27 August 2016.
- ↑ "Using Computers for Model Railroads - Gateway NMRA". www.gatewaynmra.org.
External links[edit]
See also[edit]
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