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Hi Jessie, I do: - open vrml in Meshlab (open source) to convert from vrml to collada dae - import in FreeCAD (open source) from collada (you need to install py collada to import dae in freecad) - select mesh and in Part create part from mesh - select shape - eventually refine shape - export to STEPit can be done all by command line using meshlab server and freecad macros...
the result is fine also with bi boards and hundred of modules ... you just need to be patient for FreeCAD to manipulate the fileit can be done also if you convert from vrml to stl and then import stl in freecad, but the result is less 'clean'
please let me know your feedback Maurice On 5/15/15 3:23 PM, Jesse Millwood wrote:
Maurice What did you use to do the conversion from vrml to step? Jesse On May 15, 2015 8:02 AM, "easyw@xxxxxxxxxxxx" <easyw@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:Hi Cirilo and all, please find attached an exported vrml file from kicad, converted from vrml to STEP the result is a step file readable by 3D sw e.g. solid works... board and components are separated parts and can be manipulated in 3D sw I use to send these kind of files to 3D people to be inserted in a mechanical layout system. Do you think this result could it be reasonable at this time? thank you Maurice On 5/15/15 12:12 AM, Cirilo Bernardo wrote:Hi Maurice, The STEP export has been discussed many times and OpenCascade is not suitable; I would never accept a STEP file produced by OpenCascade because it does not maintain the assembly hierarchy and other product data. Tom's demonstration code was very simple and we were hopeful at the time that OpenCascade will make life easier for us, but when I imported the model in SolidWorks I saw that I had many dozens of parts when I should only have had 3 parts. Inspecting the STEP file showed that the file generated is just not acceptable for mechanical engineers. The OpenCascade people offer a paid-for add-on which is supposed to provide the functionality required but this is obviously not suitable for us. We will have STEP export one day, but STEP is a much more complex standard than IGES so it will be implemented later. As for displaying such models (STEP and IGES) that is a non-trivial issue and I have no plans to do that. - Cirilo On Fri, May 15, 2015 at 2:19 AM, easyw@xxxxxxxxxxxx <robit@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: Hi Cirilo and all,as a first step to integrate STEP in kicad, I think exporting STEP plain board (no copper, no silk) and modules would be a great improvement. I don't know if would be possible to integrate some libs from pythonOCC http://www.pythonocc.org/features_overview/data-exchange/ I found in mail archive that Thomas did a sort of export to STEP https://www.mail-archive.com/kicad-developers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx/msg06620.html what happened? any integration in kicad code? I noticed that step models are typically heavier in bites then vrml, so rendering would be also heavier... For that reason, and for the big existing 3D library, I would consider to maintain vrml models for 3D rendering and add STEP export (and eventually STEP import) in kicad please let me know your opinion... Maurice On 5/13/15 6:16 AM, Cirilo Bernardo wrote: You might mention that for those who need to interact with mechanicaldesigners KiCad can export IDF interchange files. For those who like to roll their own, FreeCAD will read the files; for those who send the files to another shop, they can convert the IDF file to VRML and view it with a VRML viewer - no need to install FreeCAD. Plus: coming up (maybe towards the end of this year), KiCad will be able to export to IGES to provide the mechanical designers with a much more accurate 3D model of the project. IDF only represents components as simple extrusions, but IGES can provide accurate 3D models. I made component models for the demo projects 'video' and 'pic_programmer' to show the IDF exporter at work. If you wish I can send you a tarball of the IDF files and the resulting VRML files as produced by the idf2vrml tool. Making a few comparisons to Eagle: 1. KiCad has a native IDF exporter, Eagle requires the user to install a ULP. 2. KiCad: 32 copper layers, 16 tech layers; Eagle: 16 copper (I don't know the limit on tech layers). 3. KiCad: free + no artificial limits placed on capabilities; Eagle: artificial limits placed depending on license fees. Although the feature is still in development, once KiCad can export IGES models I expect this to become a free built-in capability. With Eagle you need to pay an *annual* license to a third party for IGES or STEP export. Note: I don't expect KiCad to have STEP export for at least another 2 years unless someone else with time on their hands is inspired to code it; I mean a meaningful STEP export which maintains product relationships and a proper assembly heirarchy, not the flat file produced by FreeCAD/ OpenCascade which is absolutely useless to mechanical designers. - Cirilo On Wed, May 13, 2015 at 1:48 AM, Adam Wolf < adamwolf@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxwrote:Hi folks,I'm preparing a presentation on KiCad for Maker Faire Bay Area this weekend. (Fun fact: the presentation after me is someone designing a Raspberry Pi daughterboard *on KiCad on a Raspberry Pi*). The audience will be folks who may be interested in making PCBs, and may work with fancy pants PCB designers, but are probably closer to the beginner side. I'm hoping to cover a little of KiCad history, newish features (openGL, Python, P&S routing, differential routing), upcoming features (eeschema revamp...), and the new release rhythm and nightlies. I know there's the longish videos by the CERN folks on the differential routing, but does anyone have fun videos of openGL mode being awesome, or the P&S routing? I can make my own, but if someone already has them and is willing to share, I'd love to include them. I hate to offer this, but if anyone else has suggestions on things I should mention, feel free to send them on. Thanks everyone! Adam Wolf Cofounder and Engineer W&L _______________________________________________ Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~kicad-developers Post to : kicad-developers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~kicad-developers More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp_______________________________________________ Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~kicad-developers Post to : kicad-developers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~kicad-developers More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp_______________________________________________ Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~kicad-developers Post to : kicad-developers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~kicad-developers More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp_______________________________________________ Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~kicad-developers Post to : kicad-developers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~kicad-developers More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp
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