On 2/25/2016 10:17 AM, easyw wrote: >> Creating a footprint with no pads, >> silkscreens, and/or text and only a 3D model seems a bit >> counter-intuitive to me. > I normally use anchor pad (which correspond to anchor of the enclosure) > and I set it as Virtual module attribute > Then in 3D-viewer you see your pad with Cu and Silk > That pad has also a 3D model associated, which is i.e. the enclosure > When I model the 3D enclosure, I load the pad footprint in FreeCAD with > kicad StepUp and I align the 3D model to the pad, then I export the > enclosure VRML model to be displayed in pcbnew 3d-viewer > Enabling or not the Virtual 3D models you will see or not the enclosure > just beside your pcb artwork > the result is like this > https://kicad-info.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/original/2X/0/0b70db5f2bd661b6417bd086cf45035a5fa263ff.gif > > > Or you can build a model with just an alignment cross in i.e. F.Fab or > F.Silks and Hide reference and value, and assign to it the 3D model with > virtual attrib > > > both procedure can co-exist with the actual kicad format and will give > the tool a nice mechanical feature
Clever and useful. Maybe something like this should be documented somewhere for users. I doubt most users would go through the trouble to figure this out on their own. > > Thank you > Maurice > > > On 25/02/2016 15.45, Wayne Stambaugh wrote: >> On 2/25/2016 6:50 AM, easyw wrote: >>>> .. back to discussion! >>> here I am >>> >>>> I see, so that is a already implemented flag. >>> yes, as in pcbnew manual >>> http://docs.kicad-pcb.org/en/pcbnew.html >>> 13.11. Attributes >>> "Virtual indicates that a component is directly formed by the circuit >>> board. Examples would be edge connectors or inductors created by a >>> particular track shape (as sometimes seen in microwave footprints)." >>> Virtual IMO is perfect also for mechanical objects as for example >>> enclosures or mechanical parts >>> typically there is no 3D model associated to a footprint with Virtual >>> Attribute, so it is possible to add e.g. the enclosures or mechanical >>> PCB stand-off spacers >> >> You could possibly use the virtual flag for 3D model only footprint but >> I've never tried it so it may not work. If it's possible, then I see no >> reason not to allow it although it does seem like a bit of a convoluted >> solution that may confuse users. Creating a footprint with no pads, >> silkscreens, and/or text and only a 3D model seems a bit >> counter-intuitive to me. >> >>> Please note that if you use e.g. a mechanical TH pad, the pad footprint >>> will be displayed in 3d-viewer also if Virtual, but the 3D model will or >>> will not in function of the virtual flag >>> >>>> It is not missing, it is not yet implemented in my branch :) .. the >>>> options is still there in same place. >>> ok, I just will wait/hope for the resurrection :) >>> >>>>> it is a personal local branch... >>>> Is it online? How do you get the "Virtual" attribute from the model? >>> in April 2016 we already talked about :) >>> https://lists.launchpad.net/kicad-developers/msg18083.html >>> I just moved the sourced away, because the new 3d-viewer is now >>> available, anyway here some code I added: >>> info3d_visu.h >>> enum DISPLAY3D_FLG { >>> FL_AXIS=0, FL_MODULE, /*maui*/ FL_VIRT, FL_ZONE, >>> >>> 3d_draw.cpp >>> in void EDA_3D_CANVAS::buildFootprintShape3DList >>> for( MODULE* module = pcb->m_Modules; module; module = module->Next() ) >>> { //maui >>> if( !g_Parm_3D_Visu.GetFlag( FL_VIRT ) ) { //maui >>> if(module->GetAttributes() != MOD_VIRTUAL) { //maui >>> render3DComponentShape( module, loadOpaqueObjects, >>> !loadOpaqueObjects ); >>> } //maui >>> } >>> else { >>> render3DComponentShape( module, loadOpaqueObjects, >>> !loadOpaqueObjects ); >>> } //maui >>> } //maui >>> the same for TransparentObjects and in case of not used Materials >>> >>> and in >>> 3d_frame.cpp >>> you need to load/save your previous value if you want to start in the >>> same condition (but can be saved with the other 3d-viewer flags e.g. >>> FL_SHOW_BOARD_BODY) >>> >>> Please note that the 3D mechanical VRML models would be loaded (adding >>> rendering/parsing time) only if the Virtual is selected >>> >>> It is very small piece of code for a quite useful improvement >>> Moreover it is very easy visually align your enclosure to the footprint >>> just using my StepUp tools >>> Please let me know if you need more details >>> >>> Maurice >>> >>> >>> On 25/02/2016 11.16, Mário Luzeiro wrote: >>>> Hi Maurice, >>>> >>>> .. back to discussion! >>>> >>>>> as I suggested it is possible to associate the Virtual option to a >>>>> model >>>>> in pcb (Footprint Properties, Properties Tab, Attribute, Virtual) >>>>> and this is done without changing anything in the pcb format >>>> >>>> I see, so that is a already implemented flag. >>>> I checked the other threads, looks there was no much attention on that >>>> and since nobody is reading us here :) I will open a new thread to >>>> discuss that "Virtual" attribute and if that could be used >>>> >>>>> that was an already available option now missing >>>> It is not missing, it is not yet implemented in my branch :) .. the >>>> options is still there in same place. >>>> >>>>> it is a personal local branch... >>>> Is it online? How do you get the "Virtual" attribute from the model? >>>> >>>> Mario Luzeiro >>>> ________________________________________ >>>> From: easyw [[email protected]] >>>> Sent: 24 February 2016 20:45 >>>> To: Mário Luzeiro; Cirilo Bernardo; KiCad Developers >>>> Subject: Re: [Kicad-developers] VRML export >>>> >>>>> In any case, I believe there is no elegant way to individual save >>>>> that options locally. >>>> as I suggested it is possible to associate the Virtual option to a >>>> model >>>> in pcb >>>> (Footprint Properties, Properties Tab, Attribute, Virtual) >>>> (e.g. a silk/Fab model text to which the enclosure would be associated >>>> or better an anchor hole/pad) >>>> then, as I mentioned many times, it is possible to display or not >>>> footprints that have Virtual attribute ... and this is done without >>>> changing anything in the pcb format, nor in the local/global options >>>> https://lists.launchpad.net/kicad-developers/msg18069.html >>>> https://www.mail-archive.com/kicad-developers%40lists.launchpad.net/msg15739.html >>>> >>>> >>>> as you can see the info are available... >>>> >>>>> So it will take time. >>>> if someone cares of >>>> >>>>> Related with Materials. >>>>> Please do not mix the two things. >>>>> You will get a proper way (I hope) to deal with virtual / mechanic / >>>>> enclosures / ... >>>> as already pointed out, it is a problem to display the board with pads, >>>> flashing when moving the board, just to display 'nice' material >>>> props... >>>> I just said let the user choose what to display... that was an already >>>> available option now missing >>>> >>>>> I know that you are using the material option to show/hide enclosures, >>>> no, I'm not, I use virtual attribute, I only suggested that with this >>>> option also any other user would have this opportunity >>>> >>>>> I remember you have an option in your branch, what is the link for >>>>> the branch? >>>> it is a personal local branch... >>>> >>>> Cheers >>>> M >>>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> 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
