FreeCAD error when importing PCB with KiStepUp

Layout 3D Models
1

Hi, I am new to KiCAD and KiStepUp so I need some help with importing a PCB into FreeCAD.

When I try to import it with KiStepUp, I get the following error:

image
image502×188 9.97 KB

The symbol/footprint/3d model have been installed using the Symac Library Loader and come from LTV-825 footprint, schematic symbol and 3D model by Lite-On .

I am not sure what the error means or how to fix it. I guess one way would be to find the symbol/footprint/3d model somewhere else but this is the only place where I found it.

2

as in the pop up message, you can try to change you settings in kSU FC Preferences, selecting “3D loading mode” to “Hierarchy” (you need to switch to kSU WB to see its preferences available in FC)

KiCadStepUp-cheat-sheet
KiCadStepUp-cheat-sheet1600×2560 339 KB

3

My “3D loading mode” is already set to “Hierarchy”.

image

4

It is strange, could you post your FC full release info?

And attach or send in PM to me the step file?

5

btw I cannot replicate the issue w/ FC 1.0.2

image
image888×606 108 KB

6

FreeCAD info:

OS: Windows 11 build 26100
Architecture: x86_64
Version: 1.1.0dev.20251104 (Git shallow)
Build date: 2025/11/04 19:07:44
Build type: Release
Branch: main
Hash: af014a1bb44264d749ba9522917f0d1ac76c4bbf
Python 3.11.14, Qt 6.8.3, Coin 4.0.3, Vtk 9.3.1, boost 1_86, Eigen3 3.4.0, PySide 6.8.3
shiboken 6.8.3, xerces-c 3.3.0, IfcOpenShell 0.8.2, OCC 7.8.1
Locale: English/United States (en_US)
Navigation Style/Orbit Style/Rotation Mode: Touchpad/Trackball/Window center
Stylesheet/Theme/QtStyle: OpenLight.qss/OpenLight/
Logical DPI/Physical DPI/Pixel Ratio: 96/102.135/1
Installed mods: 
  * Curves 0.6.70
  * fasteners 0.5.43
  * freecad.gears 1.3.0
  * InventorLoader 1.5.1
  * kicadStepUpMod 11.7.8
  * OpenTheme 2025.5.20
  * parts_library
  * sheetmetal 0.7.58

I will have to post the FreeCAD file later when I upload files.

7

I can load the file also on FC 1.1.0 dev:

OS: Windows 11
Architecture: x86_64
Version: 1.1.0dev.20251111 (Git shallow)
Build date: 2025/11/11 16:45:10
Build type: Release
Branch: main
Hash: 4fbb389ce1295e04a5ad7f3a63f68b63b4f4036c
Python 3.11.14, Qt 6.8.3, Coin 4.0.3, Vtk 9.3.1, boost 1_86, Eigen3 3.4.0, PySide 6.8.3
shiboken 6.8.3, xerces-c 3.3.0, IfcOpenShell 0.8.2, OCC 7.8.1
Navigation Style/Orbit Style/Rotation Mode: Gesture/Trackball/Drag at cursor
Stylesheet/Theme/QtStyle: FreeCAD.qss/FreeCAD Light/
Logical DPI/Physical DPI/Pixel Ratio: 96/96.063/1

Can you load the step file in FreeCAD directly?

8

Yes, loading the STEP file, by itself, works.

Here is the step file of the component. The issue still happens for me when I use 1.0.1:

LTV-825.stp (376.1 KB)

I don’t know if you can open the PCB from just the .kicad_pcb file but here it is, as well.

garage_butler.kicad_pcb (182.8 KB)

(BTW, the forum is making me wait increasing amounts of time before I can post again, so my next reply will probably be about 1.5hrs from now. Sorry for the delay.)

9

How did you create this PCB? I want to try to replicate it so I can see whether it’s just my design or something else.

10

Hi @voidtrance

With your board I can reproduce the issue… I’m going to investigate.

1 Like
11

normally when saving a path in kicad, inside the ‘kicad_pcb’ file the path get ‘coded’ with ‘/’

(model "C:/Users/Mitko/Documents/KiCad/Libraries/SamacSys_Parts.3dshapes/LTV-825.stp"

in your ‘kicad_pcb’ file I get instead the path ‘coded’ with ‘\\’

(model "C:\\Users\\Mitko\\Documents\\KiCad\\Libraries\\SamacSys_Parts.3dshapes\\LTV-825.stp"

It is strange that if I modify the ‘kicad_pcb’ file adding my internal path, I still get the ‘/’ instead of the ‘\\’

Would you please post your kicad info release?

12

I assume you are asking for this:

Application: KiCad x64 on x64
Version: 9.0.5, release build
Libraries:
    wxWidgets 3.2.8
    FreeType 2.13.3
    HarfBuzz 10.2.0
    FontConfig 2.15.0
    libcurl/8.13.0-DEV Schannel zlib/1.3.1
Platform: Windows 11 (build 26100), 64-bit edition, 64 bit, Little endian, wxMSW
OpenGL: NVIDIA Corporation, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU/PCIe/SSE2, 4.6.0 NVIDIA 576.83
Build Info:
    Date: Oct 2 2025 13:29:53
    wxWidgets: 3.2.8 (wchar_t,wx containers)
    Boost: 1.88.0
    OCC: 7.9.1
    Curl: 8.13.0-DEV
    ngspice: 45.2
    Compiler: Visual C++ 1944 without C++ ABI
    KICAD_IPC_API=ON
Locale: 
    Lang: en_US
    Enc: UTF-8
    Num: 1,234.5
    Encoded кΩ丈: D0BACEA9E4B888 (sys), D0BACEA9E4B888 (utf8)
13

thanks, very strange…

anyway I’m implementing a workaround.

14

Thank you.

Please let me know if you need any other debugging information for a proper fix.