[jkorchok]

I've done lots of 3D modelling, but I'm new to the specifics of Open Rails. I'm researching a new route (the Hackensack & New York in 1860) and I was wondering what recommendations you all might have for route-building software. I'd like to build this with an eye to the future, rather than depend on old software that may soon be outmoded.

[Genma Saotome]

Everything we use is software so your question is either very broad or poorly phrased. If you mean 3d modeling software, IMO the answer is it depends. I'm a big fan of Sketchup but it's not so good for undimensioned reference material (e.g., ship's hull) and no good at all for anything needing automation. For those, Blender is probably the most modern, least cost (zero) choice but the learning curve is steep. For placing content in a route you have only two choices: KUJU's 2001 edition of their MSTS route editor or Goku's TSRE. Each has certain advantages tho Goku has closed the gap on perhaps all by now and his software offers other useful features. Rolling stock files need a good editor and I can't say enough good things about the Beyond Compare utility for keeping multiple copies of things in sync. And the last official release of Route Ritter is very, very useful. Other things like shapeviewer, aceit, and shapefilemgr all have aspects and featrues that can become essential depending on what you are messing with.

I have probably forgotten something else that's useful but the above covers most of what you need to look into.

[conductorchris]

If I'm understanding your question, then TSRE is the route building software you need. It is (as Dave notes) very much under active development by Goku.
You can download it here: koniec.org/tsre5/ (there is no http://www/)

Christopher

[Jovet]

conductorchris, on 21 March 2018 - 07:17 AM, said:

You can download it here: koniec.org/tsre5/ (there is no http://www/)

There is always a http:// or a https://

There is not always a www.

http://koniec.org/tsre5 ⇚ should become a clickable link just by including the "http://" part

[jkorchok]

conductorchris, on 21 March 2018 - 07:17 AM, said:

If I'm understanding your question, then TSRE is the route building software you need. It is (as Dave notes) very much under active development by Goku.
You can download it here: koniec.org/tsre5/ (there is no http://www/)

Christopher

Thanks! Exactly the information I needed.

John