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Message-ID: <1424000799.20046.1.camel@cam.ac.uk>
Subject: Re: 3D data and support [WAS: Re: [geda-user] FOSDEM]
From: Peter Clifton <pcjc2 AT cam DOT ac DOT uk>
To: geda-user AT delorie DOT com
Date: Sun, 15 Feb 2015 11:46:39 +0000
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On Sun, 2015-02-15 at 10:10 +0100, karl AT aspodata DOT se wrote:
> Peter Clifton:

> > Having parts models in AP210 (and suitable code to handle them), I
> > should be able to directly export a full 3D board + parts model for
> > consumption by downstream tools. It will also be possible to embed
> > faceted geometry representations that are simple enough for us to parse
> > and render without heavy-weight CAD libraries. (Both faceted and BREP
> > models can co-exist in STEP files).
> 
>  ap210 seems complex and unfortunately the standard is buried within ISO:

You are correct on both counts, although "buried within ISO" is solvable
if you hand over 352CHF. Alternatively, your library or university might
have a subscription to view ISO standards. (In the library in Cambridge,
UK I can view BSI standards, which includes much of the original ISO
10303 (STEP) standard parts, which were adopted as British standards).

I agree, barriers to entry are not great, I don't think this is a reason
to bury our heads to the _extensive_ work it has already accomplished
and NIH some other solution.

Developers may need access to the standard to complete a compliant
implementation, but there is nothing stopping anyone from writing how-to
guides and tutorials that explain how to use the format. (Just don't
infringe copyright on the actual standard documents).

http://www.iso.org/iso/home/store/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=64296

The price not shown on that page, but it is on the same collection CD as
this one:

http://www.iso.org/iso/home/store/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=56238


I bought a copy (thanks to some generous donations), and I truly believe
this is the way to go with footprint and 3D data in the future, despite
its complexity.

Btw.. "seems complex" will seem like a grand understatement if you ever
start looking at the standard. I'm still only scratching the surface of
it myself, and I've been looking at this on and off for some time now.

The key is that we won't likely need to implement / use all of the
standard.. it is quite broadly scoped, and at the moment, I feel there
is quite a small sub-set we may find useful in the first instance.

Peter

-- 
Peter Clifton <peter DOT clifton AT clifton-electronics DOT co DOT uk>

Clifton Electronics