• Windows
• PC & Mac
• Mac

I have been using RailModeller for a while, and as a Mac user, it gives me everything I need to plan my layout. There are many advanced features (3D view, helixes, levels) that require some experience. However, designing the basis layout is extremely easy thanks to the extensive track libraries. Track design downloads. Carrera track planner - click on image above save the file to a temp folder and double click to install (this one getting very hard to find!) 'slot man' multi function track layout design+ works for artin, carrera, scalextric, ninco etc ninco 4 lane laguna seca - design via slot man: link.

Overview

Right now, our options for track design software seem to be quite limited. Two of the better systems, Track Power and Slotman have disappeared.
Scalextric Track Designer only works for Scalextric track, and still seems to cause problems for many users.
Autorennbahnplaner gets good reviews, and is available for PC and Mac, but only for Carrera track systems.
Ultimate Racer is now the only widely available track design software that allows you to design a layout with any track system from any manufacturer, including scratchbuilt wooden tracks.

Windows

Ultimate Racer

Wiki Page:Ultimate Racer
Description:- Timing and track design software
Cost: €15.00 - Free demo version available
Ease of use: Simple
Plastic/Scratchbuilt: Plastic and Scratchbuilt tracks are possible
Track systems: Artin 1/32, Artin 1/43, Aurora AFX + MM, Aurora AFX, Aurora Ajet 1:32, Carrera Exclusiv 1:24, Carerra Universal, Fleischmann, Lifelike HO, Marchon, MaxTrax? 4 Lane, MaxTrax? 6 Lane, Ninco 1:32, Polistil, Revell / Riggen, Scalextric Sport, Scalextric / SCX + Digital, Scalextric Sport + Digital, Strombecker, Tomy AFX, Tyco HO, Scratchbuilt & routed 1/64, 1/43, 1/32, 1/28/, 1/24, ISRA.
Flexibility/Customisation: Fairly extensive, colours, textures, track libraries, track sections, web reports.
3D capabilty: Track elevations, 3d scenery models, 3d shapes
Available layout downloads: Example layouts included with software, many more available from the website
Advantages: Not expensive, fairly simple to use, very extensive and complete track libraries, customisation options, and web publishing options available
Disadvantages: Bugs need ironing out

Scalextric Track Designer

Wiki Page: Scalextric Track Designer?
Description: Track design software
Cost: Free
Ease of use: Simple
Plastic/Scratchbuilt: Plastic only
Track systems: Scalextric Classic, Sport, and Digital
Flexibility/Customisation: None
3D capabilty: Basic
Available layout downloads: None
Advantages: It's free and it's fairly simple to use
Disadvantages: Incomplete track library, crashes on some versions of Windows

SlotMan

Wiki Page:SlotMan
Description: Timing and track design software
Cost: Free
Ease of use: Very simple and reliable
Plastic/Scratchbuilt: Plastic only, unless you create your own track pieces
Track systems: Carrera, Cartronic, Faller, Fleischmann, Maerklin, Ninco, Prefo, Artin, Scalextric, Scalextric Sport, SCX, Tomy, Tyco, Stabocar
Flexibility/Customisation: Custom track sections can be added
3D capabilty: None
Available layout downloads: None
Advantages: It's free and it's fairly simple to use
Disadvantages: Some of the track libraries are incomplete

Track Power

Wiki Page: Track Power?
Description: Track design software
Cost: €15.95 - Free demo version available
Ease of use: Very simple and reliable
Plastic/Scratchbuilt: Plastic only
Track systems: Ninco, Ninco N-Digital?, SCX Digital System, SCX Original, SCX Compact, STS 4x4, Scalextric Sport/Sport Digital and Carrera Evolution/Digital 123/Pro-X.
Flexibility/Customisation: Limited
3D capabilty: None
Available layout downloads:250 track layouts included with full version
Advantages: Not expensive, simple to use and track libraries seem complete.
Disadvantages: Not many track libraries and there is no way to add custom track pieces.

PC & Mac

Autorennbahnplaner

Carrera Slot Car Track Layout Plans

Wiki Page: Autorennbahnplaner?
Description: Carrera track design software
Cost: €19.95 - Free demo version available
Ease of use: Simple
Plastic/Scratchbuilt: Carrera track only
Track systems: Carrera Digital 124, Digital 132, Exclusiv, Evolution, Digital 143, GO!!!
Flexibility/Customisation: Very Limited
3D capabilty: Yes, but limited
Available layout downloads: None
Advantages: Not too expensive, fairly simple to use, looks cool.
Disadvantages: Carrera track only

Mac

Rail Modeller

Wiki Page: Rail Modeller?
Description:- Track design software
Cost: €??.00 - Limited demo version available
Ease of use:
Plastic/Scratchbuilt: Sectional tracks, mainly, but custom tracks are possible
Track systems: List TBD, but includes many train and slot car track systems... Artin 1/32, Artin 1/43, Aurora AFX + MM, Aurora AFX, Aurora Ajet 1:32, Carrera Exclusiv 1:24, Carerra Universal, Fleischmann, Lifelike HO, Marchon, MaxTrax? 4 Lane, MaxTrax? 6 Lane, Ninco 1:32, Polistil, Revell / Riggen, Scalextric Sport, Scalextric / SCX + Digital, Scalextric Sport + Digital, Strombecker, Tomy AFX, Tyco HO, Scratchbuilt & routed 1/64, 1/43, 1/32, 1/28/, 1/24, ISRA.
Flexibility/Customisation: track libraries, track sections
3D capabilty: 2D Only
Available layout downloads: Unknown
Advantages: Only Mac compatible track designer
Disadvantages:

External Links

The design of the track layout you race on can make a huge difference to the enjoyment of slot racing, and although there are many personal preferences involved, most people quickly outgrow the limits of the set they started out with. Most people end up buying more track, to make more interesting layouts, and some go on to make their own routed wooden track.

Carrera Go Track Layout Plans

• The Basics
• External Links

Personal Preferences

There is obviously no layout that will suit everybody, and the wide variety of layout designs is part of the fun of the hobby. Some prefer a simple oval, some prefer a technical, twisty rally track, and others prefer a fast, multi lane raceway. The size of the room where the track is situated, and the type of track system are obviously defining factors, but beyond that there are a multitude of choices.
The choice of layout design will probably be influenced by whether the track is to be a temporary or permanent set up. It will certainly be affected by whether the track will have scenery and landscaping, or accessories like grandstands and bridges.It might also be influenced by the type of cars one wishes to race and collect, whether that be F1, Le Mans, Nascar, Rally etc.

The Basics

In spite of all the variables, and in spite of the wide variety of layouts used, there are still some basic ideas or requirements that can make a track design more fun to race on, and which many slot racers use in their track designs.

A Long Straight

The first is simply a long straight section. Just like real race cars, slot cars need a reasonable length of straight to get up to full speed, and just like in real racing, a long straight will test out the top speed of the cars. For home racing, where the room size might be quite small, this will often mean laying out the longest straight that will fit into the space.

A Variety of Corners

The second thing that most of the best layouts include is a wide variety of corners. This tests the handling of the car and the skill of the driver. It also adds variety to the driving experience, which is vital as you might be racing 100 laps in just ten minutes, so it's important that each lap is interesting.
So, a good design might include variation in the radius of corners from tight and sharp to wide and sweeping, it might vary the angle from a slight kink to a full hairpin, it might include compound curves which tighten up or open out through the corner, it might include esses, or combinations of corners, or ideally it might be able to have all of those elements.

Other Considerations

As well as the driving experience, there are also various practical considerations to take into account when thinking about your track layout. The first is maintaining access to rescue deslotted cars. In a home set up, the track might welll be against a wall, which means reaching cars at the back can be difficult, particularly if the track is too wide. Another thing to consider is sight lines, particularly if you're including bridges or scenery. It's important that drivers can clearly see their braking points, so bridges are usually best situated over a straight section.

Software

Carrera 1 24 Track Layouts

There are various programs that will help you to plan your track, most include track libraries, a room planner, and various other tools.

Carrera Track Layout Software Mac Free

Read more about track design software

External Links

How to

Browse Layout Plans

Discuss and View

Carrera Track Layout Software