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Posts tagged with '3D'

STEP

PCBI: Developer Ultimate Physics Fabrication Production Control
Tags: Import/Export 3D

STEP (short for "Standard for the Exchange of Product model data") is a popular exchange format connecting the world of electronics and mechanics. Usually it is used to share 3D models between users with different CAD systems. STEP goes beyond the simple exchange of gemoetry like DXF and IGES. You can integrate all forms of CAD data models (wire, surface and volume models) in the geometry description.

Step Export has two detail areas, first is Standard Export:

 

 


Export PCB Body

Determines whether the PCB body is exported.

Export Components

Enables the export of PCB components.

Export Pins

Determines if component pins should be exported.

Board Color

Defines the color of the PCB board. (Hidden in UI)

Component Color

Defines the color of components on the PCB. (Hidden in UI)

Signal Color

Defines the color used for signal layers. (Hidden in UI)

Pin Height Correction

Adjusts the height of pins to make them more visible.

Board Thickness

Specifies the standard thickness of the board if no stack-up is defined.

Minimum Component Height

Sets a minimum height for components when their height is zero.

Combine Net List

Combines objects with the same net in a STEP item.

Export Only In Profile

Exports only the objects within the defined profile.

Component Step Library Directory

Defines the global library directory for STEP files, ensuring component package names match the STEP file names.

Check Component Step IPC Correction

Ensures components follow IPC rotation to match the STEP library if different from package shapes.

Use Component Center for Insert Step File

Positions all components at the center of CAD bounds by default.

 

And Second Export Options for Advanced settings:

 


Export PCB Body

Export the PCB body.

Export Components

Export components included in the PCB design.

Export Pins

Export component pins.

Board Color

Color of the PCB board.

Component Color

Color used for components.

Signal Color

Color used for signals.

Drill Color

Color used for drill holes.

Pin Color

Color used for pins.

Pin Height Correction

Adjustment for pin height to make them more visible.

Board Thickness

Standard board thickness if no stack-up is defined.

Signal Thickness

Standard layer thickness if no stack-up is defined.

Min Comp Height

Minimum component height if component height is set to 0.

Min Board Thickness

Minimum board thickness.

Min Signal Thickness

Minimum layer thickness for signals.

Min Arc Radius

Minimum arc radius to be exported.

Export Outer Layers

Option to export outer layers of the PCB.

Export Inner Layers

Option to export inner layers of the PCB.

Export Only Selected

Export only the selected objects.

Use Layer Colors For Signal Layers

Use ODB-specified colors for signal layers.

Use Component Color

Use the specified component color.

Export Ref

Export reference to the STEP part.

Export Package Name

Export package name to the STEP part.

Export Net Name

Export net name to the STEP part.

Combine Net List

Combine objects with the same net into one STEP item.

Flatten Arcs

Flatten arcs to lines during export.

Export Prepregs

Export prepregs as layer objects.

Export Signals Seperate

Export signal layers in a separate file.

Export Component Separately

Export component layers in a separate file.

Export Signals Flat

Export signal layers without thickness.

Export Drills Flat

Export drill layers without thickness.

Export Drill Layer

Export drill layer.

Export Visible Layers

Export all visible layers.

Export Solder Mask

Export solder mask layer.

Export Paste Mask

Export paste mask layer.

Export Only In Profile

Export only objects within the profile.

Add Non Plated Drill To PCB Body

Add non-plated drill holes to the PCB body.

Add Routings To PCB Body

Add routing layers to the PCB body, creating cutouts from panel builder.

Export Step And Repeat

Check for sub-steps and export all elements for a complete panel.

Cutout Top

The layer that contains the recess elements for the top side of the PCB body.

Cutout Bot

The layer that contains the recess elements for the bottom side of the PCB body.

Component Step Library Path

Path to the global library for STEP files, using the same name for the package and STEP file.

Check Component Step IPC Correction

Activate IPC rotation correction for components if required by the step library.

Use Component Center For Insert Step File

Insert components at the center of CAD bounds by default.

3D Design Options

PCBI: Basic Developer Fabrication
Tags: 3D View

With PCB-Investigator, you have the ability to obtain a realistic 3D view.

This guide explains how to create accurate 3D views and ensure their inclusion when exporting to various formats such as STEP, OBJ, and WebGL. To do so, follow these steps:

    1. Step 1: Open PCB Investigator 3D and import the desired PCB layout into the program. Ensure that the layout is imported correctly and is free of errors, as it serves as the foundation for the 3D visualization.

    2. Step 2: Activate 3D mode You can switch between 2D view and 3D view in the bottom left corner. Alternatively, you can navigate to the View Settings menu where you will find the 3D plugin.

      Here, you have three options to choose from:


      • 3D Board: Displays the entire board in 3D with several selection options. You have also the possibility to export in this option.
      • 3D Selected: Shows selected features, drills and components in 3D.
      • 3D Setup: Provides setup options for the 3D view. Read more in the next step.

       

       





    3. Step 3: In the view settings, you can adjust various parameters such as DPI resolution, viewing angle, lighting and background. Experiment with these settings to achieve the 3D view you want The given picture shows you an important option - The Real Part Library - for exporting the 3D design as .obj or .stp file.
      • Import Unit: Allows you to change the unit of measurement.
      • One Obj/Stp-File per: Provides options based on Part Name, Package Name, or Reference for generating individual .obj/.stp files.
      • Library Up Direction: company up direction (X, Y, Z).
      • Center to Cmoponent: Defines the component position as either center or Insert Point (the yellow point on the component, in 2D view as gerber point).
      • Add IPC Angle Correction: Basically, this function is always enabled if your library is ipc comform (e.g EPL library).
      • Download step files: downloads all step files with stepfile path property.
      • Use Design Library: With this option it is always copied in the user directory.
      • Use Local Library: This option is looking in a local library. However, if there is no access, then copying is not possible.

 

3D Export Format

PCBI: Basic Developer Ultimate Physics Fabrication Production Control
Tags: Import/Export 3D View

If you wish to export your 3D design, you have the option to do so in STEP, OBJ, STL and WebGL formats.

 

  • For the STEP format:
    Generates an .stp file in your specified directory. First you have to set the 3D Step File Path:

 

  • Right-click on the selected element and choose "Edit" from the context menu.
  • In the Edit menu, navigate to the 3D option.
  • Within the 3D option, you can set the step file path by specifying the directory where you want the .stp file to be saved.


see more to step format here!

  • For the OBJ format:
    This format outputs multiple files. You receive an individual image file for each component, along with an .obj and an .mtl file in your directory.
  • For the STL format:
    This format outputs one file. You receive an single export file with the visible board and the components on it.

 

  • For the WebGL format:
    Produces an HTML page and opens it. There, you can view your 3D design. The following picture shows the HTML site.

Settings

PCBI: Basic Developer Ultimate Physics Fabrication Production Control
Tags: Data Preparation 3D Edit


There are some basic settings to match the packages.

Pin Positions are always used, but you can change the Height information of your CAD Data to tolerance value based on the component height or ignore it complete.

Overwrite package and step information defaul by "Ask", this mean there comes a dialog with checkboxes.

How To Use

PCBI: Basic Developer Ultimate Physics Fabrication Production Control
Tags: Data Preparation 3D Edit

How to use the Package Expert firt time?

Here is a short video how to ask Library for all components and set 3D settings: