kicad-developers team mailing list archive

[Wayne Stambaugh <stambaughw@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hey Oliver,

I don't think this is the way to go.  I see two primary issues.  The
first is the impact on the code clarity.  If this only stopped at your
changes, it might be fine but how many other array or grouping
permutations will happen over time making this code a huge mess?  I just
see this spiraling out of control.  The second issue is that I imagine
most users who export to step files don't want to deal with a large
array of single pin 3D models when they are using the board 3D model for
mechanical layout inside a 3D modeling application such as FreeCAD.  I
know I would rather only deal with a single connector model of a 50 pin
dual row header rather than 50 individual 3D models arranged in an
array.  To be honest, I don't find the library size to be much of an issue.

Cheers,

Wayne

On 11/6/2017 9:01 AM, Oliver Walters wrote:
> To provide an option to reduce the size of the 3D model library, I have
> implemented an "array" feature for 3D models. A module (footprint) can
> reference a single model multiple times, with a dimensional offset
> between each copy.
> 
> (Note - just the PinHeader models are currently over 1GB! This feature
> lets you use a single 3D model for all pin headers or similar repetitive
> footprints within a certain series).
> 
> Features:
> 
> 1. Specify repeat count and repeat step in x/y/z axes
> 2. Save / load implemented. (If no repeat option used, no extra output
> is generated - old files are not touched)
> 3. Render in 3D viewer
> 4. Render in raytracing viewer
> 5. Export to VRML (multiple references to single file)
> 6. Export to STEP
> 
> Notes:
> 
> a. An exported STEP file will now be (possibly) much smaller as it
> references a single small object multiple times
> b. There were a couple of bugs I found where model offset units were
> incorrectly translated between INCHES and MM
> 
> A couple of screenshots:
> 
> https://imgur.com/a/EOwPh
> 
> 
> Testing:
> 
> Wayne verified that the file units for 3D model data are in mm - I
> *think* this means that there was previously a bug regarding 3D model
> offset, where the scaling factor in the file was interpreted as inches
> when exporting (e.g. to STEP)
> 
> I believe I have fixed this bug - confirmation would be great.
> 
> Cheers,
> Oliver
> 
> 
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