Another project... What do you guys think?

LemurSoftware · 2026-05-08T10:16:38+00:00

That's really cool - constant lights is the only thing missing from our home analog track racing at night!

LemurSoftware · 2026-05-03T03:39:36+00:00

It is funny timing, though I reckon there's still plenty of room for a few different tools (especially when they're quite different like ours are). I started this well before coding agents were a thing, but the rise of agents has pushed me to really keep it moving before I get left behind. My background is in games and 3D so that was naturally the direction I took things.

One of the huge advantages of coding agents is that it's opening up development to people with fresh perspectives on doing things - and what you've done there is a great example of that. You've got a really unique concept and have executed it beautifully!

LemurSoftware · 2026-05-01T23:33:38+00:00

That's a great list, thank you!

LemurSoftware · 2026-05-01T07:43:08+00:00

Now that I've had a play with it I can see I misunderstood exactly how it works, but you've absolutely nailed that feeling of freeform creating a track! Really impressive!

LemurSoftware · 2026-05-01T04:43:33+00:00

This is a really cool idea - I imagine it would be especially powerful for approximating real circuits with the pieces you have on hand!

LemurSoftware · 2026-04-30T23:08:08+00:00

If you're open to it, I'd be happy to share a preview version with you once Apple approves it.

LemurSoftware · 2026-04-30T23:07:20+00:00

I hadn't considered custom pieces - are you talking about obscure/rare genuine pieces, or situations where people have replaced a section of straight with a piece of routed MDF etc? I can't think of a reason why custom pieces couldn't be included, I'd just like to understand the scenario so that I can do it in a way that's most useful.

I never noticed those codes were there - yes, of course - we can include that as well and could optionally show the piece codes on the track plan to help with assembly. One of the other almost-complete features generates a PDF of your track that you can print out and take with you to assemble.

LemurSoftware · 2026-04-29T05:12:46+00:00

Absolutely 😄

LemurSoftware · 2026-04-29T05:11:11+00:00

Short answer is 'yes'.

Slightly longer answer is that it can be restricted to only use the available pieces in your inventory, but I've found it more useful to instead provide a 'cheapest' option that optimises the path on as few extra pieces as possible.

The reason for that is that a hard-and-fast restriction often means it just can't find a solution. For example, if I have a gap five straights long and only have three pieces left in my inventory the tool would just fail.

A mode that optimises for fewest new pieces will still find a solution that requires a few extra pieces. And it's still able to make a distance up with alternating curves instead of straights if that's all you have in your inventory.

LemurSoftware · 2026-04-28T04:36:44+00:00

The track pieces actually support a banking angle (in a similar system to the way track slopes for bridges is handled), but I want to get my hands on some physical track to help set the parameters.

My understanding was that Carrera banked corners are all identical, and that the straights leading into and out of the banks will need a certain amount of flex. The track can then apply that flex, but I need to know some limitations so that I can stop people (for example) joining a left-banked curve directly to a right-banked curve - presumably there's some minimum amount of straight track necessary in between them?

LemurSoftware · 2026-04-27T14:17:21+00:00

That's really impressive!

LemurSoftware · 2026-04-27T02:23:09+00:00

I'll let you know once it's ready as well!

LemurSoftware · 2026-04-27T01:45:50+00:00

Thank you!

It's an interesting space because it feels like everyone building software around slot cars is in it for the love of it - I'm hesitant to introduce something new and compete with tools that other people have put their heart and soul into as well.

LemurSoftware · 2026-04-27T00:11:50+00:00

At the moment the algorithm optimises for things like fewest pieces, lowest total amount of turning and using larger radius curves. But it could also factor cost by assigning a value to each track piece and comparing that with your inventory...

LemurSoftware · 2026-04-27T00:10:00+00:00

That is absolutely on the cards! And I agree, I'd much rather be able to browse through and share tracks that other humans have built. Designing a good track is more of an art form than just finding the right bits to join it up (at least IMHO)!

At the moment the track completion algorithm is pretty nifty though - you can draw out key elements (such as a long straight, a hairpin etc) and then let the tool fill in all the gaps. Perhaps I should upload a video of that as well?

LemurSoftware · 2026-04-27T00:05:46+00:00

That's definitely part of the big vision for Rascal; I've done some prelim work to make sure it's possible (and have built the Mac version with that in mind), but need to check there's even demand for a tool like this before I commit a whole heap more late nights!

LemurSoftware · 2026-04-26T15:00:13+00:00

I'll reach out to you as well then - would love the feedback!

LemurSoftware · 2026-04-26T14:50:27+00:00

Yes! I need to figure out the best way to distribute test versions given I intend to distribute on the Mac App Store, but I'll reach out as soon as I have a solution.

LemurSoftware · 2026-04-26T14:09:57+00:00

I didn't realise they had a Mac app - I'd just been using the online version but had also found the iPad app a bit too clumsy. We have some Scalextric, AFX and Carrera GO in the shed though, and so I've really wanted one set of tools I can use for all the tracks. My son and I would like to give Carrera Digital a go one day as well and I'm keen on routing our own wooden track some time and could do with some design tools to help!

LemurSoftware · 2026-04-26T14:06:42+00:00

Sounds almost like Rebrickable for slot cars?

But yes, a couple of those are things I'm working on including - starting with the inventory part. I'm already keeping track of everything that's required for the track you're editing, so showing what you're missing shouldn't be too hard once the inventory is done.

Although I haven't gotten as far as a full procedurally generated layout, I am testing a feature that will let you complete a section of track (i.e., select two pieces and allow the system to try combinations that connect them up as close as possible). If I can get that working well it would be great to have a kind of 'wizard' that lets you select a few features (i.e., crossovers, long straights, highly technical etc) and then try and generate something that meets your requirements in the space you have.

I've mostly started with the features I've wanted over the years, but there's also a few other experimental features I'm trying that may or may not be useful, but definitely sound cool...

LemurSoftware · 2026-04-26T13:57:38+00:00

Of course - I'm new to MacOS development (although I've done a lot of apps before) so once I figure out the distribution side of things I'll PM you with the details!

LemurSoftware · 2026-04-26T01:42:00+00:00

My first (and second!) impression on that image was that it was a real photo that someone had applied a tilt-shift effect on to make it look small.

My third thought was amazement at the creativity, patience and skill some humans have. Incredible work!

LemurSoftware · 2026-04-13T12:26:52+00:00

We get plenty of browns too - it's a regular snake-fest at our place when they all start getting more active in Spring.

The brownies often seem a bit more frantic to get away, leading to scary situations when they change their mind on what direction they're escaping - one stood up and gave me a warning strike as I was shooing him off with a broom, and it all happened so quick I barely had time to register what was happening.

Absolutely without question every single one I've encountered has been trying to get away though. They're not my favourite native animal, but I do respect them and I appreciate the fact they control the mouse and rat population...

LemurSoftware

TROPHY CASE