STEP File output

[maui]

@TAGood827

I have 2 boards of different sizes. I can open them individually and they appear okay.

@TAGood827

The problem comes when I try to open two of them. When I open the second one, Solidworks asks to rebuild the file and then the second file will change the PCB to the shape of the first file opened.

there is a similar thread here:

@gsocker

Apparently, Solidworks assumes that any entity with the same name is identical, even if they come from different files. So once a second PCB created by StepUp is added, one will have at least the wrong board outline, and the wrong tracks/silkscreen (if imported using StepUp), because in both cases the PCB / track / silk bodies have the same name.

The fix appears to be adding a unique prefix (I’ve used the board P/N) to the part / body names, minus the part models - they appear to be unique enough in the first place, since they include the footprint id.

with an external solution:

KiCad StepUp New exporter for 3D MCAD (feedbacks are welcome)

@maui - I was reminded of this by the recent Solidworks post. There is a potential naming issue when using StepUp to create a STEP file for Solidworks. If you only import 1 board into an assembly, all is well. Adding another board breaks once the assembly is saved / reopened. (Wrong PCB, parts in air because the PCB outline is wrong, etc) The mechanical engineer and I spent a bit trying to track down the issue. Apparently, Solidworks assumes that any entity with the same name is identical, ev…