3D question-what files do I need?

[bdh]

I am slowly learning how this 3D stuff works. I have about half of my board done. The rest is mostly parts from Mini-Circuits, and they have step models available, but they said they don’t have KiCad specific files. Do they need to be, or am I missing something else?

Thanks
bdh

[Rene_Poschl]

KiCad can use step files but you will most likely need to align the models to the footprint either in a cad program and reexport as step or in the footprint settings. The former is quite easy with Freecad and the kicad-stepup workbench. The later will be finicky and could require you to update all footprints depending on how the step models are made.

Further reading:

• KiCad StepUp Cheatsheet
• Tutorial: How to make a footprint in KiCad 5.1.x (From scratch)? (Section “3D-Model assignment”)
• Library management in KiCad version 5 (Tips about how to make your library setup including 3d models future proof)
• What is the difference between step and wrl 3d models? (The two 3d model file formats supported by kicad)

[bdh]

As always, thanks, Rene. Seems I have some reading to do.

Bruce