KiCad (svg) export to create a stl for dlp exposure

[AttNet]

I want to exposure my pcb with my elegoo saturn dlp printer.
For that, i need the layout in a stl format.
But i did not find a way to create one since the last days.
I exportet the pcb as svg. I can open that in inkscape and here
it shows ok. But if i open it in freecad or in blender (for the extude)
i see only small lines, not the right thickness.
What is the easiest and right way to export from kicad to a stl ?

I hope someone have these informations for me.
And please with open source tools, like freecad, inkscape, blender and so on…
(No fusion 360 by example please)

Best regards,
AttNet

[eelik]

You want to 3D print the board? Use FreeCAD with kicadStepUp workbench and import the board file into FreeCAD. Then you can export to STL.

[AttNet]

NO, i want to ‘print’ only the bottom copper Layer of the board.
Short description. I want to expose the photo positive base material with my
elegoo saturn dlp 3d printer. For that, i need the invers buttom copper layer
as a stl file for the 3d printer. With that stl i only want to expose for 50 seconds.
I can plot the neded image as svg from kicad.
In inkscape, the image is right. But how i can import the svg in blender or freecad
with the right sizes (not only lines) for extrude the ‘image’ a few millimeters and export it
as an stl for the chitubox slicer…

[der.ule]

The fastest way to make crisp PCBs at home!

He has some workflows that you could adapt

[AttNet]

Thank, i know this video.
But he is using Fusion360 for the convert path.
I can not use Fusion360… So i need the conversion
with inkscape and freecad/blender…

[eelik]

StepUp can import “tracks”, too, which imports copper. You can select top/bottom tracks, zones, pads, and extrude them.

[AttNet]

Thanks eelik for the info.
I installed the Freecad addon kicadStepUpMod

I can open the kicad pcb file in freecad, but i see only the 3d design of the pcb.
No copper/pads.
Can you tell me, how to load the copper layout with pads here ?
Or have you a source for this informations ?
youtube or website etc…
I used file open dialog, then the kicad pcb file.
My design breaks with an
<class ‘Part.OCCError’>: Failed to create face from wire
Error. A other design opens, but only the board with the components.

I hope you can help me.

[eelik]

If you open the workbench, there’s a button “add tracks” (it looks like a via, track and zone).

Currently there’s a bug which places the pads in wrong locations, I just reported it: https://github.com/easyw/kicadStepUpMod/issues/118.

@maui should be able to help with other things.

[eelik]

Update: if you need only the copper, you can use the “add tracks” function without a board. Then the locations seem to be correct.

[AttNet]

Thanks, i have found it and it works great.
Thank you so much !

One problem i have…
When i use the add track function, it imports
the top AND bttom layer…
How can i select only one of them ?

Update: I found it…
I can simply aktivate/deactivate it in the modell view…

This/your way is so simple to do that… Absolutly great !
You are my hero !
Thanks

[AttNet]

Ok, i have one more question

In Kicad i have text on the copper layers. But this text is
not in freecad, when i import the tracks. Is it possible to
also include the text ?

Update:
I switch the text to layer soldermask and import that as dxf.
This not fine, but it works…
But now i found a bigger problem.
I need the inverse of the ‘image’ before i extrude it.
How i can invert the object ?
Did someone know that ?

Thanks for your help

[jos]

Very funny.
This IS marketing and nothing else.
Re inventing the wheel.
The value of this messy equipment makes up easily for a lot of quick runs in any pcb house.

[AttNet]

@jos
i don’t think so. The equipment is here, and it is much easier to
crate that stl and then expose the pcb directly on the dlp printer
with a much bigger resolution as create a foil with the laser printer…
But anyone can do it however they want…