kicad-developers team mailing list archive

[Cirilo Bernardo <cirilo.bernardo@xxxxxxxxx>]

This is just my own personal preference, but I think it might be better if
3DViewer always uses OpenGL and as Chris suggested, have an Export
which opens another window to create the rendered image. This is the
method used in SolidWorks. Within the quick-rendering window you can
set the view angle etc then click "Raytrace", or you can create a scene
definition (camera position, lighting, background, etc) which you can load
and apply in the raytrace window. Since a raytrace can take so long
(15 minutes on SolidWorks is not unusual for me), it's really convenient
to be able to set up the scene with a completely different renderer. Another
possible tweak in the raytrace window is to show progress somehow. In
SolidWorks this is done by showing a small black frame moving around as
parts of the scene are refined. This is not essential though, only eyecandy,
but it does help a little on long render jobs because the user can see that
something is still happening.

Other than that I love the new 3DViewer. After merge I'd like to look into
exploiting the code to provide an improved VRML Export. Also, after the
merge perhaps there will be more interest from others in helping to sort
out the OCE cross-platform build and deployment issues so that the
OCE plugin can eventually be brought into the KiCad tree. I haven't had
much time at all to investigate such issues lately.

- Cirilo

On Wed, Jun 15, 2016 at 3:50 AM, Mário Luzeiro <mrluzeiro@xxxxx> wrote:

> Hi Wayne,
>
> As you may know, I have been working on refactoring the 3D-Viewer. I
> believe it is ready to be evaluated to a merge in the main KiCad branch.
>
> At this moment it supports all the same features as the current stable
> version plus lots of new useful features, eye-candy and performance
> improvements.
> It completely takes advantage of the 3D plugin system (developed by
> Cirilo) that is already present in main KiCad repository.
>
> I invite you and you are welcomed to give a try in my branch:
> https://code.launchpad.net/~mrluzeiro/kicad/kicad_new3d-viewer
>
> The major new feature (from a user perspective) are:
> - New render targets (OpenGL and Raytracing) with expected fast loading of
> 3D models.
> - Shortcuts keys improved: x,y,z for orientation; t,s,v to hide/display
> THT,SMD,Virtual footprints; spacebar/middle mouse click to align with board
> (bounding box) pivot rotation. (to be documented)
> - On pcbnew, footprint 3D Settings, it is possible to adjust the 3D model
> and the footprint with a preview of the footprint board on a realtime
> WYSIWYG fashion.
>
> I am not adding new features for some months now, just keep it updated
> with main branch, some bug fixing and housekeeping.
> My branch is being used by me and at least by Cirilo and Maurice that
> actively send me feedback and helped testing it. There are other users that
> already tried it from the foruns.
>
> So I am now looking into you as I consider it is ready to be evaluated to
> be merged in the main KiCad branch.
> I am looking if you can start this evaluation and let me know any work it
> may still need before you feel it is ok to be merged.
>
> I scanned already my branch with -wshadow and Cppcheck fixing the most
> important warnings.
> I plan to have availability on the next months to give support into this
> merge process and fix any possible bugs.
>
> I have in mind other additions and improvements but I am holding it since
> I would like first that, this work I did so far, can be integrated.
> The next things I am planning would be small progressive additions and I
> will look to discuss it here in the list before implement it.
>
> I hope you can give it a try and I will be waiting for your feedback and
> guidelines on any changes needed.
>
>
> I left here some screenshots (raytracing renders) of a project I am
> working that require some kind of mechanical validation. I use both VRML
> files (converted from STEPS to WRL using Maurice FreeCAD exporter) and some
> STEP files (using out-of-the-tree OCE plugin by Cirilo)
>
> https://meocloud.pt/link/14febff7-0868-4671-a9e6-93386ebbdf44/20160614/
>
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> Regards,
> Mario Luzeiro
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