Transitioning to 3D in AD10 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: bitbanger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2016, 02:24:12 am
content: Hi Folks -Prior to college I worked for a company and spent a good bit of time with Protel 99 and DXP, so when I hit college I purchased Designer 10 through a student program. This was some time ago, and I never took advantage of the 3D features. Now that I'm working on more complex (personal) designs it would be nice to have a visual for fitment. I'm sort of stuck now with static library and models included in the installation package (those placed in C:\Users\Public\Documents). Basic things are there, caps, resistors, etc.Specifically I'm trying to lay a TO-220 flat on the board, and the included TO-220AB model in the 'Miscellaneous Devices' doesn't allow me to rotate or orient it while on the PCB... complaining that it is not a STEP model.What do you recommend I do moving forward in terms of component libraries? Should I look to some of the aftermarket model sites? I don't mind creating my own parts library as I go, I just don't want to be missing a (potentially free) site I haven't come across. What have those of you done with a one-time perpetual license that has long run out? I'm hesitant to shell out any significant money for a license upgrade, and some of the model sights are pretty darn expensive too.Thanks!

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2016, 03:56:21 am
content: In Altium you don't rotate existing library parts in the X/Y axis, only the Z axis.A SMT TO220 soldered flat to the board is a different part to a through hole TO220 that mounts vertical.So a flat mounted TO220 should have a different entry in the library, or if not you need to make your own one.Note that there are lots of footprints stored in other Altium library's than Miscellaneous Devices, you can re-purpose them for your own use by creating a sch part and linking it to a footprint in another library. Or ideally pull the footprint out of the other library and make your own library)Search this forum for vh_altium_library i think it was free electron, but someone posted their library on this forum for others to use.EDIT: Found it.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/altium/altium-about-to-cry!!-'(-'(-'(-'(-'(-'(/msg107952/#msg107952

author: bitbanger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2016, 04:15:26 am
content: Very nice, even has a flat-mounted through hole TO220. Thanks!

author: Fortran
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2016, 04:31:00 am
content: 3Dcontentcentralhas tons of parts you can download as STEP (or other formats).You'll need to register though, but it's free.

author: bitbanger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2016, 12:03:25 pm
content: Yessss, thank you! I landed on 3DContentCentral during my searching, but was dubious when presented the sign in page. Very nice!

author: PeteT
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2016, 07:45:43 am
content: Alongside 3Dcontentcentral already noted, I also findhttps://grabcad.com/a useful (free) source.It is also worth looking at the distributors. Digikey have quite a few step files available.

author: D3f1ant
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2016, 08:47:26 am
content: and Wurth have ready to go AD libraries for the majority of parts, particular useful for generic stuffhttps://www.we-online.com/web/en/wuerth_elektronik/start.php

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2016, 09:38:30 am
content: It takes some time to transition a boar or a library into 3D but it is well worth the effort. 3Dcontentcentral is awesome indeed. Grab the generic stuff. The issues arise, when you actually need some non standard part, and manufacturer doesnt provide STEP. I hate battery holders, connectors, LED stuff. Only the most important parts to have in 3D. And when they do sometimes the color is awful orange or pink.