FWIW the docs are also available here precompiled: http://ci.kicad-pcb.org/job/any-kicad-doc-head/lastSuccessfulBuild/artifact/src/IDF_Exporter/
2015-05-17 1:25 GMT+02:00 Cirilo Bernardo <[email protected]>: > Hi Maurice, > > The IDF export will produce both board and components, but you need to > defined the > components and specify them using the "3D model" dialog; this is the same > dialog > used by VRML; you will need to select the "idf' file filter to select IDF > component > files. If you do not define and specify the component outlines then of > course the > board will be bare. > > Marco has added the IDF documentation to the new KiCad documentation branch > so > it should appear in future installations, but until then the documentation > is available > here: > > https://drive.google.com/open?id=0By_XTJN-s8aXbkM5UTE0Zm5SN28&authuser=0 > > There is also an example of the IDF export with component outlines here: > > https://drive.google.com/open?id=0By_XTJN-s8aXbkM5UTE0Zm5SN28&authuser=0 > > - Cirilo > > > On Sat, May 16, 2015 at 8:54 PM, easyw <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> Hi Cirilo, >> thank you for your advices... >> >> I exported the file from my mobile were I don't have all the macros I >> normally use, so I lost the scaling factor... >> 7m -> 7mm sorry... >> >> please find attached the correct scaled version... >> >> Just going back to the problem of OC STEP exporting, I think the model is >> fully usable as interchanging format from kicad to mechanical engineers... >> >> opening the .STEP file one can see many different objects, but they can be >> just grouped in a single option in the 3D sw, so the engineers can manage >> the new object and manipulate in their projects. >> >> In FreeCAD for example it is possible to group it with -Part -Boolean >> -Union and obtain a single object to be manipulated inside the CAD >> >> Moreover, if you just want to send only one object to the 3D mechanical >> engineers, it is possible to export the converted file directly to IGES >> format with FreeCAD and obtain just a single object for all the board and >> components... >> >> For those reasons I would consider very interesting for kicad users to >> have a first version of exporting to STEP also if using OpenCascade format >> will produce multiple objects. >> At the moment the converting process is a bit tricky and loses color >> attributes (they have to be added to STEP model after conversion), so the >> integration in kicad would improve the result. >> >> An other very useful option would be to have the IDF export for bare pcb >> (already implemented) and for all modules... >> I see that IDF format is very light and is widely accepted in many 3D CAD >> sw.... >> Also, as you pointed out, IDF respects arc and circles... >> >> then may be improving IDF export adding component models would be very >> appreciate by kicad users... >> >> thank you for your support ... >> Maurice >> >> attache zip file with: >> test-3-dae.png, test-3-igs.png, test-3-stp-fusion.png, test-3-stp.png >> test-3.dae, test-3.igs, test-3.stp, test-3.wrl >> >> >> >> >> >> On 16/05/2015 02.59, Cirilo Bernardo wrote: >> >> Sorry, I meant 7m not 7km. Still, the scale is wrong and the other >> comments re VRML and OC/STEP still stand. >> >> - Cirilo >> >> >> On Fri, May 15, 2015 at 11:02 PM, [email protected] <[email protected]> >> wrote: >>> >>> Hi Cirilo and all, >>> >>> please find attached an exported vrml file from kicad, converted from >>> vrml to STEP >>> the result is a step file readable by 3D sw e.g. solid works... >>> board and components are separated parts and can be manipulated in 3D sw >>> >>> I use to send these kind of files to 3D people to be inserted in a >>> mechanical layout system. >>> >>> Do you think this result could it be reasonable at this time? >>> >>> thank you >>> Maurice >>> >>> >>> >>> On 5/15/15 12:12 AM, Cirilo Bernardo wrote: >>>> >>>> Hi Maurice, >>>> >>>> The STEP export has been discussed many times and OpenCascade is >>>> not suitable; I would never accept a STEP file produced by OpenCascade >>>> because it does not maintain the assembly hierarchy and other product >>>> data. Tom's demonstration code was very simple and we were hopeful at >>>> the time that OpenCascade will make life easier for us, but when I >>>> imported the model in SolidWorks I saw that I had many dozens of parts >>>> when I should only have had 3 parts. Inspecting the STEP file showed >>>> that the file generated is just not acceptable for mechanical engineers. >>>> The OpenCascade people offer a paid-for add-on which is supposed to >>>> provide the functionality required but this is obviously not suitable >>>> for >>>> us. >>>> We will have STEP export one day, but STEP is a much more complex >>>> standard than IGES so it will be implemented later. As for displaying >>>> such models (STEP and IGES) that is a non-trivial issue and I have no >>>> plans to do that. >>>> >>>> - Cirilo >>>> >>>> On Fri, May 15, 2015 at 2:19 AM, [email protected] <[email protected]> >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>>> Hi Cirilo and all, >>>>> >>>>> as a first step to integrate STEP in kicad, I think exporting STEP >>>>> plain >>>>> board (no copper, no silk) and modules would be a great improvement. >>>>> >>>>> I don't know if would be possible to integrate some libs from pythonOCC >>>>> http://www.pythonocc.org/features_overview/data-exchange/ >>>>> >>>>> I found in mail archive that Thomas did a sort of export to STEP >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/msg06620.html >>>>> what happened? any integration in kicad code? >>>>> >>>>> I noticed that step models are typically heavier in bites then vrml, so >>>>> rendering would be also heavier... >>>>> For that reason, and for the big existing 3D library, I would consider >>>>> to >>>>> maintain vrml models for 3D rendering and add STEP export (and >>>>> eventually >>>>> STEP import) in kicad >>>>> >>>>> please let me know your opinion... >>>>> >>>>> Maurice >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On 5/13/15 6:16 AM, Cirilo Bernardo wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> You might mention that for those who need to interact with mechanical >>>>>> designers >>>>>> KiCad can export IDF interchange files. For those who like to roll >>>>>> their >>>>>> own, >>>>>> FreeCAD will read the files; for those who send the files to another >>>>>> shop, >>>>>> they >>>>>> can convert the IDF file to VRML and view it with a VRML viewer - no >>>>>> need >>>>>> to >>>>>> install FreeCAD. Plus: coming up (maybe towards the end of this year), >>>>>> KiCad >>>>>> will be able to export to IGES to provide the mechanical designers >>>>>> with a >>>>>> much >>>>>> more accurate 3D model of the project. IDF only represents components >>>>>> as >>>>>> simple extrusions, but IGES can provide accurate 3D models. I made >>>>>> component >>>>>> models for the demo projects 'video' and 'pic_programmer' to show the >>>>>> IDF >>>>>> exporter at work. If you wish I can send you a tarball of the IDF >>>>>> files >>>>>> and >>>>>> the >>>>>> resulting VRML files as produced by the idf2vrml tool. >>>>>> >>>>>> Making a few comparisons to Eagle: >>>>>> 1. KiCad has a native IDF exporter, Eagle requires the user to install >>>>>> a >>>>>> ULP. >>>>>> 2. KiCad: 32 copper layers, 16 tech layers; Eagle: 16 copper (I don't >>>>>> know >>>>>> the >>>>>> limit on tech layers). >>>>>> 3. KiCad: free + no artificial limits placed on capabilities; Eagle: >>>>>> artificial limits >>>>>> placed depending on license fees. >>>>>> >>>>>> Although the feature is still in development, once KiCad can export >>>>>> IGES >>>>>> models I expect this to become a free built-in capability. With Eagle >>>>>> you >>>>>> need to pay an *annual* license to a third party for IGES or STEP >>>>>> export. >>>>>> Note: I don't expect KiCad to have STEP export for at least another 2 >>>>>> years unless someone else with time on their hands is inspired to code >>>>>> it; >>>>>> I mean a meaningful STEP export which maintains product relationships >>>>>> and a proper assembly heirarchy, not the flat file produced by >>>>>> FreeCAD/ >>>>>> OpenCascade which is absolutely useless to mechanical designers. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> - Cirilo >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On Wed, May 13, 2015 at 1:48 AM, Adam Wolf >>>>>> <[email protected] >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> Hi folks, >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I'm preparing a presentation on KiCad for Maker Faire Bay Area this >>>>>>> weekend. (Fun fact: the presentation after me is someone designing a >>>>>>> Raspberry Pi daughterboard *on KiCad on a Raspberry Pi*). >>>>>>> >>>>>>> The audience will be folks who may be interested in making PCBs, and >>>>>>> may >>>>>>> work with fancy pants PCB designers, but are probably closer to the >>>>>>> beginner side. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I'm hoping to cover a little of KiCad history, newish features >>>>>>> (openGL, >>>>>>> Python, P&S routing, differential routing), upcoming features >>>>>>> (eeschema >>>>>>> revamp...), and the new release rhythm and nightlies. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I know there's the longish videos by the CERN folks on the >>>>>>> differential >>>>>>> routing, but does anyone have fun videos of openGL mode being >>>>>>> awesome, or >>>>>>> the P&S routing? >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I can make my own, but if someone already has them and is willing to >>>>>>> share, I'd love to include them. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I hate to offer this, but if anyone else has suggestions on things I >>>>>>> should mention, feel free to send them on. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Thanks everyone! >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Adam Wolf >>>>>>> Cofounder and Engineer >>>>>>> W&L >>>>>>> >>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>> Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~kicad-developers >>>>>>> Post to : [email protected] >>>>>>> Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~kicad-developers >>>>>>> More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>> Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~kicad-developers >>>>>> Post to : [email protected] >>>>>> Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~kicad-developers >>>>>> More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~kicad-developers >>>> Post to : [email protected] >>>> Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~kicad-developers >>>> More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp >>>> >> >> > > > _______________________________________________ > Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~kicad-developers > Post to : [email protected] > Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~kicad-developers > More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp > _______________________________________________ Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~kicad-developers Post to : [email protected] Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~kicad-developers More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp
