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Subject: Re: [geda-user] 3D View in PCB
From: Stefan Salewski <mail AT ssalewski DOT de>
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Date: Wed, 28 Mar 2012 17:07:02 +0200
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On Wed, 2012-03-28 at 12:35 +0530, Anand P. Paralkar wrote:

> [...]
> I think this would be a really cool feature to have and would add immense
> value and pleasure to the "placement" step of a board design flow.  (What if
> the gEDA-PCB project can pull-in people from Inkscape? - Wow!)
> 

Yes, 3D preview would be much fun.
But I think to be really useful, we would need exact 3D models for ALL
the components that we have on the pcb board -- only so we can ensure
that all fits perfect together.

The problem is, that there are so many components an the market, some
differ slightly in dimensions, i.e form of connectors, diameter of
electrolyte capacitors, heat sinks...

Currently getting all footprints right is already a demanding task.

For mechanical work, i.e. case construction, support of 3D cad may be
necessary. I think here on the list was already some discussion about
tools like

http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/free-cad/index.php?title=Main_Page
http://brlcad.org/