Don't like Templot? Other programs are available. And a new one.

[martin_wynne]

There aren't many alternatives to Templot for designing handbuilt track, but there is a new kid on the block from Andy Reichert & David Honner. There is a free trial version available:

 

CTnCT Designer:  http://www.proto87.com/CTnCT_designer.html

Other alternatives to Templot are:

 

S21 ModelGleis from Bernd Steimann and Christian Sender:  http://www.s21-modellgleis.de/index.php?seite=programm

(English translation in Google: https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?u=http://www.s21-modellgleis.de/index.php%3Fseite%3Dprogramm )

 

TRAX3 from Jeff Geary: https://www.amazon.co.uk/TRAX-3-Signalling-Lever-Frames/dp/1906419612/

 

Just to add that Templot is free to use, the others above are paid-for software.

 

(There are lots of other track planning programs of course, but none of them are much use for designing handbuilt track templates.)

 

regards,

 

Martin.

[Joseph_Pestell]

Trax3 is pretty cheap given that it comes with a rather useful (well, to me anyway) book.

 

As a past user of Trax2, certainly an option for me but does anybody know which Microsoft versions it is compatible with. Trax2 does not work on more recent versions and I have had to keep an old laptop to use it.

[Greenmodelmonkey]

There aren't many alternatives to Templot for designing handbuilt track, but there is a new kid on the block from Andy Reichert & David Honner. There is a free trial version available:

 

CTnCT Designer:  http://www.proto87.com/CTnCT_designer.html

http://youtu.be/DRfwGnOqaew

Other alternatives to Templot are:

 

S21 ModelGleis from Bernd Steimann and Christian Sender:  http://www.s21-modellgleis.de/index.php?seite=programm

(English translation in Google: https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?u=http://www.s21-modellgleis.de/index.php%3Fseite%3Dprogramm )

 

TRAX3 from Jeff Geary: https://www.amazon.co.uk/TRAX-3-Signalling-Lever-Frames/dp/1906419612/

 

Just to add that Templot is free to use, the others above are paid-for software.

 

(There are lots of other track planning programs of course, but none of them are much use for designing handbuilt track templates.)

 

regards,

 E

Martin.

Now I have mastered Templot (an it did take a while to understand how it works!) I have to say there is nothing in my opinion to beat it. Have used to create my new layout and it now saved so much time and effort to the point I now realise I could not do without it. It has taught me some much at same time. Huge pat on the back for Martyn!!!

[Joseph_Pestell]

I agree. It's just that I have not found the time - a lot of it for an IT luddite like me - to master Templot.

[martin_wynne]

Trax2 does not work on more recent versions and I have had to keep an old laptop to use it.

 

Hi Joseph,

 

Trax2 will in fact work on the latest versions of Windows, if you have access to an older version of Windows. Full details of how to install it here:

 

 https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/traxusers/conversations/messages/88

 

regards,

 

Martin.

[BG John]

I struggle with Templot because I don't use it enough, and forget most of what I've learned between times I use it, so I never get into the really clever stuff. But none of those other programs seem to be any use to me at all. They don't seem to handle OO, EM, P4, P4 broad gauge, O-16.5 and O, but Templot does. I use SCARM for layout planning, then do the detail design for pointwork in Templot. If I can't get Templot to do what I want, I do what I can with it, then do the rest by trial and error!

[hayfield]

Martin

 

Templot is like learning any new skills, or how to operate an item. If it interests you and is important you will invest time to learn at least the basic skills required

 

Most will not want to become experts and will reach the required level to operate how they want to

 

I must admit to being totally baffled by some parts of the system, but the more I try to understand it bits fall into place

 

I think the must is to have the short cut keys sheet to hand 

http://www.templot.com/martweb/gs_shortcuts.htm

[JeffP]

Are the tutorials for Templot still available?

 

And what O/S does it use/need? I have Windows XP, 7, 8.1 and 10 available here...not all on the same 'puter, of course.

[martin_wynne]

And what O/S does it use/need? I have Windows XP, 7, 8.1 and 10 available here...not all on the same 'puter, of course.

 

Hi Jeff,

 

See: http://templot.com/companion/basic_qa.html

 

Lots of tutorials and videos available on the help menu after installing it.

 

regards,

 

Martin.

[brossard]

I was a Trax2 user and liked it because it was easy to make templates.  My best effort was a double slip using a Trax2 generated template and the instructions in the book.  As a bonus it actually works.  I never used Trax2 as a track planner.  I was gutted to discover that Trax2 won't work on Win7.  Trax3 seems to be about signalling so not a replacement for Trax2.

 

John

[martin_wynne]

I was gutted to discover that Trax2 won't work on Win7.  Trax3 seems to be about signalling so not a replacement for Trax2.

 

Hi John,

 

The TRAX3 book is about signalling, but the included CD contains all of the TRAX2 program and more.

 

TRAX2 can be got working on Wndows7 - see my previous post.

 

regards,

 

Martin.

[Junctionmad]

I have planned layouts in trax3 , I wouldn't regard it in the same breath as Templot however. Trac3 is like Anyrail , primary for " set track " type planning.

[JeffP]

Hi Jeff,

 

See: http://templot.com/companion/basic_qa.html

 

Lots of tutorials and videos available on the help menu after installing it.

 

regards,

 

Martin.

Hi Martin, thanks for the reply.

I updated my templot " last night after discovering it already on this machine.

 

But it started up with a B6 left hand curved point already drawn.

Is that normal?

If I go into HELP, is there a sort of "course" of tutorials/videos I could follow?

Thanks again.

[martin_wynne]

But it started up with a B6 left hand curved point already drawn. Is that normal?

 

Yes. It is the default output from the template generator engine. The engine can't start up without creating a template. It is waiting for you to modify the output template to whatever you want it to be. It is called "the control template".

 

Make sure you are using the latest Templot version from: http://templot.com/downloads/download.htm

 

If I go into HELP, is there a sort of "course" of tutorials/videos I could follow?

 

Yes and no. There is masses of Help stuff on the web site, accumulated over more than 15 years, including lots of videos and tutorials.

 

But it is not organised into a proper "course". That's something I have started work on, but it has not yet got beyond the barest of beginnings, and I have had little time to progress it recently. You can find it at:

 

 http://templot.com/companion/templot_explained.html

 

After that you can find a full list of links to all the web site stuff here: http://85a.co.uk/forum/view_postx.php?post_id=19146

 

If you get stuck or can't find something, the answer is very simple - ask on the Templot Club forum at: http://85a.co.uk/forum

 

regards,

 

Martin.

[brossard]

Hi John,

 

The TRAX3 book is about signalling, but the included CD contains all of the TRAX2 program and more.

 

TRAX2 can be got working on Wndows7 - see my previous post.

 

regards,

 

Martin.

 

Thanks Martin, I have an old XP machine, will try that.

 

John

[RBAGE]

Templot may be free to use now but when I was first attracted to it I paid £40+. I still haven't mastered it.

 

Some people might take to CAD programs readily, others might be able to pick it up from the tutorials. I suppose I'm just thick.

 

I've asked at a number of training providers whether there would be any chance to include training for Templot because I think that might be better for me. It hasn't happened so far.

 

One training provider suggested that he approached Martin for support.

 

The videos and tutorials don't suit everyone so the training material that Martin is in the process of developing would be very worth while. It might at least help me get the most from my investment in what I am convinced is a very valuable piece of software.

 

Bob

[gordon s]

Hi Bob

 

If you want to use Templot, I'd be happy to spend an hour with you talking you through Templot and how to get started. I have my own way of using Templot where I only using the basics. These allow me to generate quite complex plans using just a limited part of its capabilities. A great programme which is a pleasure to use once you get started.

 

Drop me a PM and we'll sort something out. We can both be on line and I'll talk you through it on the phone.

Edited November 25, 2016 by gordon s

[RBAGE]

Hi Bob

 

If you want to use Templot, I'd be happy to spend an hour with you talking you through Templot and how to get started. I have my own way of using Templot where I only using the basics. These allow me to generate quite complex plans using just a limited part of its capabilities. A great programme which is a pleasure to use once you get started.

 

Drop me a PM and we'll sort something out. We can both be on line and I'll talk you through it on the phone.

Thanks Gordon S,

I'll take some time to sort out the junction I need and get back to you when I have a better plan of what I'm doing, if that's OK.

Bob

[gordon s]

No worries at all.  Just drop me a pm when you are ready.  I can take you through all the basics to get started and we can go on from there.  I wouldn't use anything but Templot these days and find it invaluable for planning my own layout.  ET is 18 x 18 and has around 70 turnouts, so the ability to print out diagrams full size is absolutely invaluable.

[martin_wynne]

Those utterly baffled by Templot may like to watch this video, which has a spoken commentary instead of reading text notes:

 

  https://flashbackconnect.com/Default.aspx?id=BDXvSdUuD-vmjFK4us4vxA2

 

You may not be much the wiser after watching it, because it is intended for Templot users with some experience. But it does perhaps illustrate the way in which Templot is used, which is very different from other track planning programs such as AnyRail.

 

I think often the difficulty many find in approaching Templot is not in the working explanations, but in understanding in the first place what it is actually for.

 

The video is showing you how to save space by getting a second turnout close up behind a first one, instead of simply attaching it to the end of the first one as you would do with ready-made track and in any other track planning program.

 

regards,

 

Martin.

[Kelly]

None of those options seem to fit my needs really. Templot, whilst I've struggled to get some elements right (slips mainly) has served my needs when planning. I've yet to use it for point building, but I will be doing when I get to that stage soon.

 

CTnCT Designer:  doesn't seem to do P4, no good for my needs.

Other alternatives to Templot are:

 

S21 ModelGleis google translation is not too great, so might have missed it, but doesn't appear to do P4.
 

 

TRAX3 from Jeff Geary:Looks like it could be useful, but not particularly wanting to spend on it to try just yet.

[hayfield]

I always thought Templot was for track builders, rather than those who use RTR track wanting to plan a layout, having said that nothing stopping making clone templates of the RTR track and using them

 

As for P4 track, there are the P4 company kits available, which could be a good introduction to track building

[fallen]

I have used Templot to produce single point templates, which is very easy as it starts up with a point template that you can modify to get the point geometry you want.

 

The trouble then is that if you want to do anything else there is not so much a learning curve as a cliff face to climb. I have watched the tutorials which only seem to illustrate how difficult it is.

 

Is there an easy way into doing other things? I'd really like to be able to do slips.

 

Frank

[martin_wynne]

Is there an easy way into doing other things? I'd really like to be able to do slips.

 

Hi Frank,

 

edit: October 2017: Templot can now create slips with a couple of clicks. See: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/126021-slips-in-templot-can-now-be-created-automatically/

 

There is a tutorial video for slips. In Templot go to help > watch a video > single slip.

 

Or you can watch it online (in poorer image quality I'm afraid) here: https://flashbackconnect.com/Movie.aspx?id=RxdwQczwCvgPpdDu1OJJhA2

 

It seems complicated because unlike other programs you can have slips of any angle, and in curved track as well as straight.

 

If you just want a bog-standard straight slip of say 1:7 angle, it isn't too difficult. Just follow every click in the video and you should end up with one. if you don't, then either you didn't follow every click, or the video is wrong. If the latter please let me know so that I can fix it.

 

regards,

 

Martin.

Edited October 23, 2017 by martin_wynne
update

[Orange Cat]

Roll of lining paper, a ruler, a long straight edge and a pencil (and probably a rubber). My alternative to Templot.