What's New in Cadrail 9?

 

Latest changes Version 9.01 and later...

 

Here is a summary of changes to  Cadrail Version 8 with the initial release of Cadrail 9.00.

 

Version 9.00 released November 1, 2007

Cadrail Version 9 has been totally updated and now uses Microsoft's .NET Framework. This means Cadrail is more powerful than ever and fully compliant with the new Windows Vista operating system in the future. Cadrail 9 still supports all other systems running Windows 98 or higher.

 

Cadrail Version 9 Application Window with side views.

 

New Side Views x, z and y, z axis (replaces profile view).
* Better 3d drawing support.
* Basic Edit, Line and Figure drawing in side views.
* Select using: the menu: Options - Side views.

 

Cadrail 9 in Windows Vista

 

New Drawing Manager tool bar (right side of main window).
* Object Tab (replaces worksheet).
* Edit objects by clicking toolbar.
* Drawing tree shows figures structure in drawing.
* Figures Library Tab (replaces Figures Toolbox).
* Quickly Load up to 2000 figures.

New 3D View
A big improvement has been achieved in the 3D View by using Microsoft's DirectX 9c 3D engine. Runrail has also been expanded to show the train in the 3D view including the famous

IN THE CAB VIEW!

* Better graphics.
* Change view in real time - rotate, zoom etc.
* Set view using mouse on screen.

  

View from the Cab.

  

New: Runrail
* Operate the train in real time 3d with cab view, overhead view, or birds eye view.
* Two trains that run independently.
* Engineers view: look forward or back in cab view.
* More detailed car and train drawings.
* Runrail Properties  dialog - select the train cars from a list, set order of train cars, duplicate cars, remove cars.
* Train setup is saved with your drawing. After saving, when you open your drawing again and go to Runrail, the trains and cars will go back to where they were when last saved. When switching from Runrail to Drawing mode and back, the train setup is restored.

New Open Multiple Drawings
* Copy and Paste between drawings using the Drawing Tabs.

New: Movable Toolbars
* Drag the mini toolbars around on the screen to arrange them they way you like.

New: Save Default Template Drawing
* Located on the Preferences dialog: allows you to specify a drawing template that will be used when Cadrail starts or a new drawing is created. All layers, styles, preferences, printing setup, and objects from the template are used for any new drawing.

Improved Drawing Tools
* Edit Freehand and CAD Edit tools combined on one tool bar. Figure Create, Delete, Elevate duplicate Buttons on Edit tool bar.
* Object Editor duplicate Button added to Figures tool bar.
* Drawing Tool bar is now movable on the screen. Just drag the header.
* Edit Rotate- Rotate Lines and Line Figures about +-X, Y or Z axis  (Replaces Figure-Flip UP.)
* Cad extend, project, tangent tools now full 3d maintains existing slope (freehand edit extend does not change elevations when you drag a handle).
* Line rectangle tool - hold <Alt> key down when clicking first point to make a rectangle figure. Press <Alt>+<Ctrl> for Dimensioned Rectangle Figure.
* Line Multiple tool - hold <Alt> key down when clicking first point to make a Figure with the lines.
* New: Drag Screen Zoom

 

Cadrail 9 DirectX 3D view with two trains running.

 

 

New 3d Drawing Tools
* Shape Builder easily creates 3d shapes.
* Rotate about 3 axis (x, y, z - replaces Figure-Flip Up). Now you can rotate Lines by any amount in 3 directions.
* Draw in Side Views.

New Object End Caps
* Specify Arrow, Diamond etc for object ends. Set on layer/style properties tool bar.

Improved Figures
* How figures are defined has changed. Each figure is now embedded within another by reference.  For example, if you had a figure in v8:  F1 = L1 + L2 and you made a copy F2, and then made a figure of the two, you would have F3 = L1 + L2 + L3 + L4. In v9 you will have F3 = F1 + F2. You can see this in the drawing tree. There are Parent figures with embedded Children.
* Easily manipulate Figures in the Drawing Manager (replaces Work Sheet). Edit embedded figures within a parent without needing to un-define the figure.
* Shape Builder – Easily create 3d cubes, polygons.
* New Gradient fills.
* A second Create, Delete, Elevate button added to Edit Tool Group.

Improved Export Bitmap Dialog
* Now easier to define the bitmap.

Improved Trace Bitmap
* Bitmap is anchored to and scales with drawing.
* Set your own size and location within the drawing.

Improved Drawing Graphics
* Anti-aliasing (no "jaggies").
* Styles - Line Width option: fixed, flat scalable, or solid scalable. Scalable Widths change with drawing view size. Solid style is 3d rect.
* New hatch pattern fills available on all line styles.
* Dashed line improved, can now set any width, new patterns - mix any combination.
* Text quality improved.
* Overall drawing appearance improved.

Improved Printing
* Overall quality improved.
* Grid improved and defined separately for print out.
* Scrollable Preview.

MISCELLANEOUS
* Drawing Preferences and Cadrail Preferences combined.
* Right Mouse Button- popup menu with basic tools.
* Drawing tool bar improved: drag the drawing tool bar header to move the tool bar on the screen-drop into upper left drawing screen corner to dock again.
* Use scroll button on mouse to zoom plan and 3d view.
* Turn ON/OFF the Instruction Line and Coordinates/View tool bar (bottom) on Options menu.
* Help File now includes the complete manual. New HTML help format is much improved. Better searching, indexing.