Kicad StepUp - VRML recommend Materials?

[s_light]

this is a follow up / related to

Kicad StepUp update: support for VRML with Material Properties

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 [image] Moreover the new 3d-viewer offers some new features like a movable pivot center of rotation and…

what is currently the preferred way to add colors to a custom designed FreeCAD model?
are there recommendations?

sunny greetings
stefan

[Rene_Poschl]

What is your freecad version?
What workflow do you use for designing? (What workbench, what features of it)

---

I personally design my models using the part design workbench. In it i make at least one body per “color”. I then assign random colors to the bodies in freecad. (in the tree view, right click -> random color) During the export step i then assign the color that should be used in the exported file.

Instead of random colors you can also set a color per “feature” (or body if you only use part design) in the combo view. Just choose easily to distinguish colors such that it is easy to know what part should be exported with what color:

[maui]

Just adding few words to what @Rene_Poschl already posted…
After having assigned different colors to faces/bodies, with StepUp, if you have selected the option to epxort wrl materials, you will be prompted to a list of materials accordingly to kicad material convention.

[s_light]

thanks for your messages.

iam most of the time using the FreeCAD Daily builds - currently this is

Version: 0.18.14220 (Git)
Branch: master
Python version: 2.7.15rc1
Qt version: 4.8.7
Coin version: 4.0.0a
OCC version: 7.3.0

i also use the Part-Design workbench. (exclusively)
currently i assign a material with the Appearance context menu option:

this gives you a dialog with access to all the values:

and a list of 'predefined materials:

if i understand @maui correct the assignment to Kicad material convention is only possible on export?!
would be great to be able to assign the materials directly during building
where is this list of materials maintained?

thanks for your help!!

sunny greetings
stefan

[maui]

Here the doc about Materials:

Tutorial and guidelines for better materials on 3D models

Hello all, For those who are or will make new 3D models for Kicad: In order to raise awareness, I created two tutorials that works as a reference and guide to understand and how to set proper materials to 3D models to be used in KiCad 3D-Viewer (or any other render) The main scope are electronic components, VRML files, KiCad 3D-Viewer (current or any future version) I’ve placed the documents in my cloud: Let me know if I can assist you or help with any clarification! Mario Luzeiro

Wrl materials doc

I think it would be possible to add these materials to FC materials… I don’t know if materials can be loaded/saved in FC
About StepUp the list is coded inside the main python file. Just search for materials inside.
@kammutierspule
Would it be possible to have the doc in libre office format, for future additions? Thks

[kammutierspule]

@maui

Would it be possible to have the doc in libre office format, for future additions? Thks

KiCad_3D-Viewer_component-materials-reference-list_MarioLuzeiro.odp
KiCad_3D-Viewer_Illumination_model_and_materials-MarioLuzeiro.odp

Would be nice if you make modification to let me know so I will also update my documents and pdfs.

[maui]

@kammutierspule

Would be nice if you make modification to let me know so I will also update my documents and pdfs.

made a PR to add your docs to the official packages3d repo

adding Vrml material & illumination reference doc