kicad-developers team mailing list archive

[easyw <easyw@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi to all,

I've managed to create a new tool to align the 3d model directly moving 
it over the pcbnew footprint.

here there is a small video tutorial:
https://youtu.be/O6vr8QFnYGw

With 'kicad-StepUp-tools' it is now possible to load the kicad footprint 
in FreeCAD and align the 3D part with a visual real time feedback of the 
3d model and footprint reciprocal position.
(more detailed info inside the new version of kicad StepUp demo project 
available at http://sourceforge.net/projects/kicadstepup/
and here the starter guide
http://sourceforge.net/projects/kicadstepup/files/kicadStepUp-starter-Guide.pdf/download 
)

Once the 3D part is aligned to the footprint pads and silk, the model 
can be exported in STEP format and in VRML format for kicad 
3d-rendering, just clicking on the Scale to kicad VRML button.
That will align EDA to MCAD 3d viewers. No need to reiterate the 
aligning process or empiric calculate offset and rotation to apply to 
VRML model.
You can also click on 'Create axis' button to have an other help in 
orienting the part.
With this tool is possible to download a part from on-line libraries 
(e.g. 3dcontentcentral, grabcad, etc), align the model to kicad 
footprint and export the model to wrl. That will produce a 3d VRML model 
exactly aligned to footprint as in mechanical CAD.

@Marcos ... I think you will enjoy that tool :)

Attachment: align-3d-model-to-footprint.png
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