The models are only let’s say “semi-scripted”. The rationale is as follows. For each group of packages (e.g. vertical round resistors, honrizontal box-shaped resistors, …) I made a parametrized 3D model in FreeCAD (I use a spreadsheet to set the parameters). then I created Python scripts to generate the footprints, which ALSO output a Python script for each group of parametrized models. I then load the parametrized model and run the generated Python-script. For each footprint it sets the correct parameters into the Spreadsheet, recalculates the model and exports it (currently WRL+FCStd).
Currently I don’t ahve time to recreate all the models as scripts (also some are fairly complex, e.g. common-mode chokes and diodes or LEDs). What I would be willing to do is open the existing FCStd-files, run a script that fuses them and then exports them to STEP+WRL with the better export of StepUP … but for that I will have to run StepUP in an automated mode (thus the questions above) … if I don’t find a way to get it doen that way, I may hand-convert some of the models and the rest will stay as it is for now.
The spreadsheet is included in the FCStd file
If you have a look at kicad library and download the resistor model I used as example in my post you can see it … The conversion could be done creating a macro that will open the file, assign the right colors and materials to parts and then make a union of parts and export the final part to step and WRL with materials…
This can’t be done with StepUp but using and modifying the CQ routines used to create models
But before the model has to be fixed to export a correct step model
Is there any way of overcoming this problem? I.e. having the internal structure inside the LED in the STEP (and WRL)?
I can make a Part|Compound, but then the STEP-file ends up with several separate items:
You would need to design the main body of the led such that it is a shell and not a completely filled solid. A real led has only a thin sheet of plastic on the outside.
I think @Joan_Sparky made described something similar here:
actually the LED is not hollow, but filled with transparent casting compound! So have one solid inside a second is not so far from reality … anything else would really make the models VERY complex!
Hi Jan,
STEP doesn’t have transparency, so your internal structure will not be displayed at all when the model will be exported… to have it displayed in WRL you can export your wrl model before Union
i.e. you can have your model and a simple copy of it that will be fused as a single part…
then export the multipart as wrl and the single part as STEP
Maurice
Ubuntu is a good start. It probably accounts for the majority of users who worry about using the latest stable release because they are doing real work with Freecad
First of all thanks for your great kicad StepUp tools @maui
I’am fairly new to kicad and freecad but I was able to do some freecad models, create .wrl and .step files after some experimenting and adding the models to kicad.
This process worked perfect for my custom models but I have difficulties converting with the existing .wrl to .step files, they seem to be empty.
I was running FreeCAD-0.16.6706 with kicad_StepUp_tools_v5017. After reading this thread I changed today to FreeCAD_0.17.11104 with kicad_StepUp_tools_v5019.
Unfortunately the StepUp export does not even produce a .step fiel in this combination… I guess I might miss a configuration/setting or something. I still have the release 0.16 installed with 0.17 unzipped to a separate folder. StepUp FCMacro is in “C:\Users<username>\AppData\Roaming\FreeCAD\Macro”. Actually all the StepUp functions do not work… Any hints/ideas what I’m doing wrong here?
I could not find a newer FreeCAD 0.16 release with the fix yet…
Any proven working FreeCAD / SetpUp version configurations for .wrl to .step export?
I didn’t understood your problem, but technical you should not convert WRL to STEP. (I am wondering if this is possible…)
WRL and STEP are two different formats that do not represent the same thing.
Never ever do wrl to step.
In case you haven’t seen it the official 3d models have been overhauled with scripted step and wrl models. Also I would suggest to have a look at the generators if you are trying to make something from a standard package.
Any specific model you need?
Thanks @kammutierspule and @Shack for pointing me in the right direction… I was not aware that it’s the wrong approach I was missing step models for some of the official 3d models in 0.16 so I thought I could just convert them with StepUp tools.
Have to read up on new models / script approach first.
You shouldn’t have any problem with ksu in both configuration…
this is correct, the procedure to have a VRML model for kicad is starting from a 3D model or a STEP file and from this export the wrl model.
You shouldn’t start with a VRML 3D library and try to convert VRML to STEP, but do the opposite:
start your 3D library in STEP and then convert STEP to VRML for using these 3D in kicad…
kicad StepUp can convert STEP to VRML in a most compatible way for kicad and also can convert/assembly your kicad pcb to STEP model
If you start using 3D parts coming from STEP or FC model, your part will be mechanical accurate and your VRML will be a copy of that… the opposite way will not give accurate mechanical models…
the path from wrl to STEP is not useful / feasible, you will get a very bad STEP model coming from a tessellate model (VRML is a lot of triangles representing the outer surface of the component)
The only way is from a mechanical model STEP to a VRML model
Just finished my endeavor (*) of LED SMD 5630 and SMD 5730 packages and footprints to come up with something that works for my future uses of these things.
The 3D packages are kept generic to the most common details/features I could find over a variety of these via google/datasheets.
I hope you will find them useful:
I was missing step models for some of the official 3d models in 0.16 so I thought I could just convert them with StepUp tools.
