How to create 3d models of your pcb ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: epicode
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 18, 2019, 12:54:55 am
content: I need a 3d image or model of my gerber files, specifically with components on them, I've tried altium 18 but couldn't get it to work or find any tutorials for my version, also if there is an easier option that would be even better.. Thanks in advance !

author: agehall
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2019, 09:54:19 am
content: Not sure if there is anything that can visualize your PCB with components based off gerber files. Typically gerbers do not have any component information in them and software like KiCAD generates the 3D views straight from the PCB editor.

author: soFPG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2019, 11:37:04 am
content: There are a lot of great Altium Libraries out there for free.I asked myself the same question a few weeks ago and in my case Altium is clearly the best choice for 3D PCB visualisation.

author: epicode
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 19, 2019, 08:09:01 pm
content: Thank you very much for answering, Eventually I was able to get it to work with Altium, takes a little getting used to though..

author: MarkF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2019, 09:51:00 pm
content: DipTrace will allow you to export a STEP or VRML file from its 3D-View.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2019, 11:23:24 pm
content: As is hinted in the previous replies, going to 3D models just makes the component model problem worse. Not only do you have to match a footprint to your component, you have to find and match a 3D model. This is relatively easy for things in standard packages, but for connectors, coils, switches, heat sinks and a myriad of other components you will find yourself spending a lot of time gathering, modifying or creating an appropriate 3D model. Even when you can find a 3D model on the net you will often have to spend time converting it to a compatible format, and possibly repairing or touching up after the conversion.

author: alexanderbrevig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2019, 11:24:05 pm
content: Altium, KiCAD, DipTrace etc all support STEP model import.For altium there's this:https://techdocs.altium.com/display/ADRR/3D+Layout+Mode+Shortcuts(tl;dr press the number 3 to get into 3d view)Now comes the time you realize not all components has a 3d representation. So, you can search for one.Check manufacturer website for a STEP modelCheck any number of online services such as grabcad 3dcontentcentral etcThe other alternative is to make them yourself.I highly recommend Fusion 360 for complex and accurate (parametric) designs.OpenSCAD + FreeCAD is an OK solution if either you want to express your shapes through code or you find yourself able to tolerate FreeCAD as your tool for 3d (I do not).Finally you could use Blender. Don't believe all the stuff you hear about it being hard. 2.8 is awesome and I taught myself it the day before teaching it to my students (6 months ago, while in beta).Fusion360 for engineering needs (if this is only what you will do with 3d) [free, but kind of not - check the requirements yourself]OpenSCAD / FreeCAD if you reeeeally love Open and Free and you're willing to invest timeBlender if you want to be able to make 2d cartoons, 3d art, VFX and of course - models for your boards. This will teach you a skill you can employ in many situations.

author: alexanderbrevig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2019, 11:28:38 pm
content: Quote from: CatalinaWOW on November 19, 2019, 11:23:24 pmSurely I cannot be the only one who sometimes (actually quite often) find it extremely helpful to get a STEP model for reference.Some datasheets mixes up top and bottom views, they have inconsistent constraints/measures and really beg for some more data. For those instances having an official STEP is the perfect way to visually inspect a custom footprint.I'll also say that on more than one occasion the mechanical drawings were easier to read than the footprint drawings, and spending 10 min in a CAD is well worth the effort when I can confirm both match up. The only thing I'd prefer to a footprint and a STEP matching up would be to print the layout on paper and dry-fitting the actual part.My 0x10

author: pigrew
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2019, 11:54:41 pm
content: Quote from: alexanderbrevig on November 19, 2019, 11:28:38 pmI also find it very very helpful to import component STEP models, in order to verify component clearances. It's very rare that I model a component from scratch. For weird-shaped parts (like connectors), I almost always can find the models on the manufacturer's website. Sometimes I manually edit the model in FreeCAD (for example to cut leads shorter). For "standard" components, I let either Altium's part wizards or "PCB Library Expert Pro" generate the model for me (based on max-dimensions).It's a very manual and annoying process to link all the 3D models, but I find it's the only way to get good results without respinning boards multiple times. For components like caps/resistors I build a SQLITE database to link the parts to footprints. I usually scrape the individual component data from DigiKey's webiste (someone else on this forum gave me the idea...).From Altium, I export STEP models, but also 3D-PDF for folks that don't have M-CAD software installed. I can pass them to a mechanical engineer in order to verify the board can fit within the enclosure, etc.(For models that I intend to 3D print, OpenSCAD is great).

author: FrankBuss
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 20, 2019, 12:31:35 am
content: Quote from: CatalinaWOW on November 19, 2019, 11:23:24 pmI did simple models with Blender 3D for components, it can be done in seconds, e.g. create a box with the outline dimension and a cylinder for a jack connector. For an USB connector just a box. It helps already for mechanics etc. to have the rough outline, usually no need for an exact model.For some buttons I needed more time, because I wanted it to look like the real thing, but I think it was worth the time:

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2019, 04:06:23 am
content: I don't disagree on the value of the 3D model. But I stand with the level of work required. And just as with footprints, the models should be right. Not roughly right, but right. If all you are looking for is a pretty picture, or a general idea of fitment inaccurate models are sufficient, but if you really need fitment you need to get the models correct.This leads to the same kind of book keeping required with footprints. Keeping track of not just the component type, but the vendor and revision number.

author: MarkF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2019, 01:14:02 pm
content: Quote from: CatalinaWOW on November 19, 2019, 11:23:24 pmBy the way, I found a lot of my models from3D ContentCentral.You will need to create an account to download the models. But, it's free and there have not been any hassles.

author: EEEnthusiast
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2019, 01:31:28 pm
content: I too recommend to use KiCad. It has the 3D models well integrated into the footprint library and most of the time, it takes just one click to generate the 3D model. kicad can take in step files too for any new models.

author: iroc86
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2019, 02:17:22 pm
content: Another vote for KiCad--the 3D functionality is acceptable and many of the built-in libraries include models. Before I switched over to KiCad for PCB development, I used a variety of methods to generate 3D models of my boards, including the most painful of all: exporting a basic STEP file from EAGLE, skinning the board with an image overlay, and manually placing all of the components in Creo. It took forever and I would not recommend it!KiCad is kinda/sorta intended to be used with FreeCAD, which has already been discussed, but make sure you use the KiCadStepUp plugin for FreeCAD. It'll automatically parse a KiCad project file and generate the board, components, and silkscreen layers in 3D. Once you have that, you can export the assembly and edit or render it in your favorite CAD software since it's a standard STEP file. (Or just leave it in FreeCAD.)FreeCAD is also useful for prepping new models before importing into KiCad. I believe older versions of KiCad preferred VRML models, which FreeCAD supports natively (usually requiring scaling by 1:25.4 due to the VRML format being dimensionless). Again, software can be mixed and matched. For importing custom models into KiCad, my workflow usually goes like this: 1) prep model in Creo: shorten leads, set colors, rotate coordinate system; 2) import into FreeCAD; 3) scale accordingly; 4) export as VRML; 5) import into KiCad. The process can be labor-intensive, but it all depends on how much detail you want to capture.Also, I wanted to pass along Autodesk's library.io site for parametrically generating packages, footprints, and models:https://library.io/.