Kicad StepUp update: support for VRML with Material Properties

Layout 3D Models
1

Hi,
I’ve just updated my kicad StepUp tools STEP exporter to fully support the new kicad 3D-viewer that Mario @kammutierspule is developing
In the new 3d-viewer VRML Material Properties can be nicely applied for a better 3d raytracing result; wrl files are also fully compatible with kicad stable release…
here a screenshot of VRML exporter with the new option to assign materials to colors

1146×850 69.1 KB

Moreover the new 3d-viewer offers some new features like a movable pivot
center of rotation and selection of 3d models to be displayed (SMD, TH, Virtual) for a better mechanical designing
The new Virtual option that I had in my personal branch, is now in the new 3d-viewer and can be used to hide/display ‘virtual’ models associated to enclosure or mechanical parts as in this image

https://kicad-info.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/optimized/2X/c/c3eeb17426165c506ca515f519210abbe00ccd3c_1_690x452.png

the testing “new 3d-viewer” releases can be downloaded at
http://downloads.kicad.org/windows/testing/kicad_new3d-viewer/

I also improved the helping/warning messages and multi-part detection, added virtual checkbox to include/exclude virtual models in MCAD conversion and the above wrl materials properties.
As always feedback is welcome :smiley:
Maurice

3 Likes
2

Just a small clarification: the current stable release, 3d-viewer will also take advantage of (good) materials. You have to select the option “use material properties from model” on the 3d-viewer settings. The new 3d-viewer will take advantage even more of the materials if you render it on raytracing.