Hello,
I’m using KiCad StepUp tools in Freecad to export 3D models of components.
I’m having difficulties keeping colors on bodies:
I set colors for each body (right click on each body, Appearance tool…), make simple copies of the bodies, then union them. So far, the colors are correct.
But when I try to align the model to the PCB, as soon as I click twice on the different alignment tools in KSU, the model gets colored in only one color.
I’m probably doing something wrong. But it feels like the software isn’t supposed to act like this.
Has anybody got a link to some documentation on how to properly use KSU? @maui ?
Thank you very much for your help, and sorry if this isn’t the right place for this kind of question.
David
When I was learning how to do 3D models using FreeCAD the only problem I couldn’t solve was the colors that disappear. It took me few months to find how to protect colors.
I used FreeCAD last time may be an year ago so don’t remember well. I have somewhere noted step by step what to do to not loose colors as a function on how I develop the 3D model.
What I know is that I color surfaces (if I have one body and want each surface color differently) just prior exporting my model to KiCad files and before exporting I have to run one of StepUp tools: Make Union or Make Compound. May be the Part Workbench “Union” tool can also be used - who knows.
I don’t know what decides which of them should be used and why it helps and really what they are doing but it helped me.
I found that if I made a Part containing two bodies (1 pin terminal block (plastik - one body) with metal inside (second body)) then to have body colors (not coloring separate surfaces) in exported 3D model I also have to use one of those functions.
When I tried to make 10pin terminal block using Array function (don’t rememeber from which workbench) I didn’t found the way to not lose colors. The only way I found was by duplicating that one pin terminal block (I think one of Step-Up functions, but don’t remember now) several times and using one of mentioned by me functions just prior exporting.
So after making for example 6 pin terminal block I saved it and then make Union (or Compound - ???) and then exported it. Next I opened saved file added next pin and saved the file, make union (or compound) and exported and so on.
the best approach to move or align a model in FreeCAD is with Aligner and Mover of Manipulator WB. These tools will preserve colors.
FC has changed recently and I should adapt my code to preserve colors also in the kSU main mover tool, which I use a lot less after having added the ones in Manipulator WB. https://wiki.freecad.org/Manipulator_Workbench