Export STEP file including all copper layers

Layout 3D Models
1

I am using

Application: KiCad PCB Editor x86_64 on x86_64

Version: 8.0.6, release build

Libraries:
	wxWidgets 3.2.6
	FreeType 2.13.3
	HarfBuzz 9.0.0
	FontConfig 2.15.0
	libcurl/8.10.1 OpenSSL/3.3.2 zlib/1.3.1 libidn2/2.3.7 libpsl/0.21.5 nghttp2/1.63.0

Platform: Freedesktop SDK 24.08 (Flatpak runtime), 64 bit, Little endian, wxGTK, X11, gnome, wayland
OpenGL: Intel, Mesa Intel(R) UHD Graphics (TGL GT1), 4.6 (Compatibility Profile) Mesa 24.2.5 (git-3b9fcb7e4d)

Build Info:
	Date: Oct 14 2024 22:25:13
	wxWidgets: 3.2.6 (wchar_t,wx containers) GTK+ 3.24
	Boost: 1.86.0
	OCC: 7.8.1
	Curl: 8.10.1
	ngspice: 43
	Compiler: GCC 14.2.0 with C++ ABI 1019

Build settings:

and want to export the 3D model of the PCB including all copper layers, vias and tracks, as it is needed for post-layout simulation. I created a dummy PCB from scratch with 6 layers to test if this works:

image
image2456Ă—1690 352 KB

image
image2436Ă—2034 401 KB

and I am exporting it using “File→Export→STEP” with the following settings:

image
image1414Ă—948 88.4 KB

When I open this in FreeCAD I obtain this:

image
image2598Ă—1902 325 KB

image
image2598Ă—1902 412 KB

As you can see, all the inner layers are missing. Moreover, the blind vias were exported as regular vias.

Is this kind of export possible? I tried to use these settings but the dialog is different in my version of KiCad.

2

This is supported in nightly (8.99) versions.

1 Like
3

Thanks for the info. Is it known when will it be available in stable version?

4

Probably early next year.

5

8.99 should become stable 9.0 at around Feb 2025. Major features are not backported to 8.0.

2 Likes
6

You can install 8.99 beside 8.0.6 and use it just for step export. We’ve done this for exactly the same reason as you. Just don’t save the board when you’ve opened it in 8.99.

3 Likes