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Subject: Re: [geda-user] 3D view
From: Peter Clifton <pcjc2 AT cam DOT ac DOT uk>
To: geda-user AT delorie DOT com
Date: Sat, 28 Mar 2015 14:17:15 +0000
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> > I'd rather not put 3D models in the realm of pcb. An UI infrastructure to 
> > design in 3D is far beyond the scope of a EDA layout application. But even 
> > a good render engine is non trivial. These are tasks that are better 
> > relegated to 3D CAD applications and specialized render engines. 
> > 
> 
> I agree; after all this is not the task of an EDA. For over 2 years I've
> had some software to create parametric VRML models
> (http://kicad3dmodels.sourceforge.net) and since the models seem to get
> very little exposure and use I proposed to merge it with KiCad but was
> rejected.

Presumably is has a place in generating models which can then form part
of the larger parts-library?

I just grabbed the code and had a very quick (30 seconds) skim. I had
wondered how difficult it might be to translate to emit STEP, but I
think we would have to know certain properties about the geometry were
true (like avoiding self intersections), to do this without a solid
modelling kernel. I don't see why we couldn't emit STEP surface geometry
though, even if we don't go the whole way to solids.

In addition, the code was (obviously) designed to emit VRML, and not
STEP, so whatever would require some work.

Out of curiosity (and my laziness to figure this out for myself), how
does KiCAD associate the transformation between a 3D model (granted, in
VRML), and the footprint / package origin?

Peter

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

Clifton Electronics