PCB shape from enclosure STEP file

[maui]

@paulvdh

And I’m missing context with the video. For example, why create a KiCad project first, before you switch to FreeCAD?

because I’m using the push-pull MCAD collaboration pushing directly to the kicad_pcb file from the FC sketch. kicad stepup: the sketcher for getting to blinky

@paulvdh

How do you verify measurements, how do you adjust measurements if the offset is not correct, or you need different offsets for the long and short side?

this short video is aimed to suggest a semi-automatic approach to create the sketch for your pcb.

@paulvdh

I created a parametric sketch from scratch, and it’s fully adjustable, and has the locations for the mounting holes.

The sketch I made is a canvas to add more features… but can gives you a first sketch to improve later in just few seconds.
Nothing blocks you to add all the constrains for your final user case.

@paulvdh

I am generally not a fan of such quick shortcuts.

The method in the video is similar to high level CAD sw approach in ECAD-MCAD collaboration:

SOLIDWORKS PCB Tutorials - ECAD-MCAD Collaboration in a Drone

@paulvdh

FreeCAD 0.20. Gosh, I’m still “stuck” on 0.19-24212-something

The tools are working fine also on FC 0.19

@paulvdh

“GridOrigin is set in FC Preferences but not set in KiCAD pcbnew file” ???

if you watch my video, I have added a grid origin to the kicad empty board to give the collaboration a fixed reference.

@paulvdh

Turn off: FreeCAD / Edit / Preferences / Import / Export / STEP / [ ] Enable STEP Compound merge (I have it turned on, and it still works for me)

this is really strange… if you load the step model with compound enable you get only a single object (compound) of all the internal models

@paulvdh

It all worked for me, and I could reproduce the video on my Setup@home.

nice…

@paulvdh

Next step for me is that I’m curious what KiCad StepUp made of the sketch, so I examine it further in KiCad.

feel free to ask in case of needs.

@ptr727

Thank you, this would make a great youtube tutorial to add to the plugin youtube collection.

I’m always in lack of time for producing documentation on my StepUp… it would be nice if some user would peek in to create tutorial in MCAD collaboration… I would be happy to help in case.