Colin et al, Further to your point, if Altium / Protel or whatever you want to call them now were smart, they would buy out the 3D export features from Desktop-eda and incorporate them into the next version. The 3D viewer that Protel offered with the SE version is what prompted me to contact Desktop-eda about the creation of an IDF exporter in the first place. Consequently, after a few months of trying, it was easier to switch from Pro-E to Solidworks for what we were trying to accomplish, but in the end we have a system that is unbelievably efficient for mechanical/electrical integration. JMHO, Lloyd
-----Original Message----- From: Colin Weber [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Wednesday, November 14, 2001 1:55 PM To: Protel EDA Forum Subject: Re: [PEDA] 3D PCBs I produce 3D PCBs quite often. We do not however bother with nice or accurate looking components, rather, just extruded figures. http://www.qualecad.com/ will do this easily. This software can also accept custom library components developed in a mechanical CAD system. The Protel 3D addon is just pathetic and I hold no hope for it. Sorry but it just is crap. The http://www.desktop-eda.com.au/ company does have fully functioning addons for 3D also. The have an interface for Autocad and Solidworks. The reason we didn't go with it was that we did not want to build yet another library of components to maintain. Without a full time librarian that is too much work. Also, the purchase cost of a mechanical CAD system was required. Fred, can you live with rectangles and cylinders to represent your boards? I can email you an example of how they look if you want. You won't see cute looking colour bands around your resistors but I think the picture is reasonable and representative. The best part is these 3D baords are a cinch to produce. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------ At 01:41 PM 15/11/2001 -0500, you wrote: >I don't have an answer, but I have also been wondering how this is >done. And wondering if there is some 3D data which needs to be added >somewhere? > >Also if it is not on the bug list already (P99SP6) The 3D viewer seems >to display several of the DB9 (and many other connectors) from the legacy >libraries "upside down". In other words placing the component on the >top side, it appears in the 3D viewer, as if the component has been >populated from the bottom side, as if the topside was the solder >side. > >---Phil A new addon server is being develop by desktop-eda. This will allow, apparently, the interface with mechanical 3d modelling and pcb 3d modelling. Full control of the 3d-ing etc. Dont quote me on this though. Wayne Trow You cannot currently. I say currently because I HOPE Protel does something useful with this feature. We've been waiting to see for a couple years now. Tony >To the best of my knowledge, there is no way to generate custom components >for use in 3D renderings for 99SE. There is a program called Protel/IDF Interface, I don't know how well it works, but you can set the height of the components, and the width and depth are set by the overlay. I've tried using Protel 3D interface before, but didn't have much luck; any odd shaped boards and it doesn't like it, lots of other errors to, like connectors sometimes looking correct and other times being a hugh grey block (which covers half the board). I've given up trying to use it, I just let our mechanical department model it (give them a few measurements for main components, connectors, etc). Steve Fred, To the best of my knowledge, there is no way to generate custom components for use in 3D renderings for 99SE. Tim I would like to use a 3D rendering of a prototype PCB for a project proposal. The rendering displays abnormal looking components at custom footprint locations. This is completely unacceptable for a professional proposal. Using 99SE SP6, can anyone tell me how I can generate realistic custom components for use in 3D renderings? Regards, Fred A Rupinski PS I submitted this question to technical support....again. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------ Regards, Colin Weber * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
