Where is my 3D model?

Layout 3D Models
1

I made a board with 2 solder pads and I exported this board as a .step file.

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This board is to be stuck through a base board with a cutout. So I made a footprint with dogbones and al.

Than I want to add the 3d Model of the board I just made. The 3d preview looks fine… But it is simply is no where to be found after the import.

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I rotated my camera ofcourse to see if it is somewhere in the var distance. But I can’t find this board anywhere.

I also tried adding the step file to an existing component like a drilling hole (which I do sometimes) but also here. The 3D model of the board, isn’t there

Application: KiCad x64 on x64

Version: 8.0.5, release build

Libraries:
	wxWidgets 3.2.5
	FreeType 2.13.2
	HarfBuzz 9.0.0
	FontConfig 2.14.2
	libcurl/8.8.0-DEV Schannel zlib/1.3.1

Platform: Windows 11 (build 22631), 64-bit edition, 64 bit, Little endian, wxMSW
OpenGL: Intel, Intel(R) Iris(R) Xe Graphics, 4.6.0 - Build 31.0.101.5333

Build Info:
	Date: Sep  7 2024 02:39:48
	wxWidgets: 3.2.5 (wchar_t,wx containers)
	Boost: 1.85.0
	OCC: 7.8.1
	Curl: 8.8.0-DEV
	ngspice: 42
	Compiler: Visual C++ 1939 without C++ ABI

Build settings:

Am I overlooking something?

Kind regards :coffee:

Bas

2

Damn I found them… now I must figure out how to fix the coordinates in the footprint. The offset is too extreme to fix with the conventional coordinates.

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I think remaking the .step file around the abs 0.0 pos will do the trick?

3

For this I recommend FreeCAD with StepUp workbench. You can import board to create a step file out of it. You can import a footprint and align a step file for it. When you export the 3D model again it will be in the correct 0,0 position.

4

During Step export, you have a bunch of options for setting the (0, 0) point of the 3D model:

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I usually use the Drill/Place file origin, and then adhere to the KLC. That is, mostly pin one for THT footprints, and the center for SMT footprints.

5

You may want to investigate StepUp plugin for FreeCAD which helps on that step.