Hi Kai-Martin, > -----Original Message----- > From: geda-user-boun...@moria.seul.org > [mailto:geda-user-boun...@moria.seul.org] On Behalf Of > kai-martin knaak > Sent: Friday, November 19, 2010 4:01 AM > To: geda-u...@seul.org > Subject: gEDA-user: a different approach to 3D modeling > > > Looks like there is no open 3D exchange format that fits the > need of pcb: > > a) render a beautiful image of a populated board > > b) integrate pcb in a 3D work-flow to fit the board into some > tight space. > > The existing formats are either limited to surfaces rather > than objects (STL, VRML). This prevents efficient processing > of the 3D geometry. > Or they lack attributes for eye candy (IGES). Or they are > overly complex and geared to completely different use cases (STEP) > > It might be easier to do 3D in a different way: > Teach the 3D CAD application how to read pcb files. Then, let > the CAD app retrieve 3D models that correspond to the > footprints mentioned in the layout. Use the 3D engine to > render images, or do mechanical engineering. Also teach the > CAD app to export pcb layout data from 2D shapes. > > The pcb file format contains all information needed to > reproduce the geometry of the board in a concise form. Given > the ability of general python scripting within the 3D CAD, it > shouldn't be that hard to write a *.pcb parser. Once the > geometry is known to the CAD app, it can export it to > whatever format its engine supports. > If the CAD app can be driven completely by scripting, the > conversion could be triggered from within a pcb menu. > > Benefits: > > * no need to write import/export functions for general 3D > data exchange formats. > > * only deal with well known file formats (*.pcb) > > * efficient file transfer to a 3D CAD which keeps names > objects rather anonymous shapes > > > Drawbacks: > > * no fancy 3D images in a stand-alone binary of pcb > > * beautiful images might need blender as a third major component. > > * ties to a specific 3D CAD app, which may not be everybodies > favorite choice > > Just an idea from my way home... > > ---<)kaimartin(>--- > -- > Kai-Martin Knaak > Öffentlicher PGP-Schlüssel: > http://pgp.mit.edu:11371/pks/lookup?op=get&search=0x6C0B9F53 > >
Have a look at: http://openscad.org/ And the beginning of an OpenSCAD exporter for pcb, on top of a recent (current) clone of the pcb git repository: https://github.com/bert/pcb-openscad Please give me your thoughts and opinions on both. Kind regards, Bert Timmerman _______________________________________________ geda-user mailing list geda-user@moria.seul.org http://www.seul.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/geda-user