[kicad-users] Better selection of 3D Shapes in PCB

[Brendan Simon [e-mail] [kicad-users]]

I'm have downloaded various 3D shapes (step files) for some components,
as I couldn't find any suitable ones in the standard Kicad `packages3d`
directory.  I store my downloaded step files in a directory in my home
directory.

When adding 3D shapes (or editing which 3D shape to use, as wrl files do
not export to step), I find myself often having to traverse back and
forth between my local directory of shapes and the standard Kicad
directory of shapes.  This is painful using the tree file chooser.

It would be great if:

* there was a way to configure a number of different paths for 3d
shapes, and be easily able to swap between them (e.g. click on a
list of paths).
* Maybe a better file chooser ?
* there was text filter to reduce the number of shapes shown

Is there a better way of managing 3D shapes?

BTW, is "3D model" better terminology than "3D shape" ?

Brendan.

[Pedro Martin [e-mail] [kicad-users]]

My recommendation is always have all the libraries in the home directory.

I have moved the offical libraries to a local directory. This way you
can also add one or more folders under packages3d with other ed models.

Having .wrl and .step files of the same model into the same folder makes
kicad to use .wrl for rendering and .step for exporting the 3d model of
the pcb.

I usually have one library folder per project and use the KPRJMOD
environment varialbe and a relative path to the library.

I'm not an English native speaker so either model or shape or package
are fine to me.

Regards,
Pedro.

Post by Brendan Simon ***@BrendanSimon.com [kicad-users]
I'm have downloaded various 3D shapes (step files) for some components,
as I couldn't find any suitable ones in the standard Kicad `packages3d`
directory. I store my downloaded step files in a directory in my home
directory.
When adding 3D shapes (or editing which 3D shape to use, as wrl files do
not export to step), I find myself often having to traverse back and
forth between my local directory of shapes and the standard Kicad
directory of shapes. This is painful using the tree file chooser.
* there was a way to configure a number of different paths for 3d
shapes, and be easily able to swap between them (e.g. click on a
list of paths).
* Maybe a better file chooser ?
* there was text filter to reduce the number of shapes shown
Is there a better way of managing 3D shapes?
BTW, is "3D model" better terminology than "3D shape" ?
Brendan.

[Andy Eskelson [e-mail] [kicad-users]]

Exactly,

the basic rule is that you should ONLY ever use local copies for any
shape, component, modules or whatever. That way you know exactly what you
are getting. It also makes management very easy as well.

Andy


On Thu, 23 Aug 2018 14:06:11 +0200

Post by Pedro Martin ***@yahoo.es [kicad-users]
My recommendation is always have all the libraries in the home directory.
I have moved the offical libraries to a local directory. This way you
can also add one or more folders under packages3d with other ed models.
Having .wrl and .step files of the same model into the same folder makes
kicad to use .wrl for rendering and .step for exporting the 3d model of
the pcb.
I usually have one library folder per project and use the KPRJMOD
environment varialbe and a relative path to the library.
I'm not an English native speaker so either model or shape or package
are fine to me.
Regards,
Pedro.

Post by Brendan Simon ***@BrendanSimon.com [kicad-users]
I'm have downloaded various 3D shapes (step files) for some components,
as I couldn't find any suitable ones in the standard Kicad `packages3d`
directory. I store my downloaded step files in a directory in my home
directory.
When adding 3D shapes (or editing which 3D shape to use, as wrl files do
not export to step), I find myself often having to traverse back and
forth between my local directory of shapes and the standard Kicad
directory of shapes. This is painful using the tree file chooser.
* there was a way to configure a number of different paths for 3d
shapes, and be easily able to swap between them (e.g. click on a
list of paths).
* Maybe a better file chooser ?
* there was text filter to reduce the number of shapes shown
Is there a better way of managing 3D shapes?
BTW, is "3D model" better terminology than "3D shape" ?
Brendan.

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[Cirilo Bernardo [e-mail] [kicad-users]]

The feature you seem to be asking for has been there since the introduction of STEP support.Although I wrote the code I can no longer remember the details since I haven't used kicad formore than 2 years now. :(  Anyway, the feature should be described in the manual for kicad-pcb.You can add various root paths and then use an alias scheme for specifying file names manually,or else use the drop-down menu when selecting via the gui and select one of your base paths.
- Cirilo

From: "Brendan Simon ***@BrendanSimon.com [kicad-users]" <kicad-***@yahoogroups.com>
To: kicad-users <kicad-***@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2018 11:06 AM
Subject: [kicad-users] Better selection of 3D Shapes in PCB

  I'm have downloaded various 3D shapes (step files) for some components, as I couldn't find any suitable ones in the standard Kicad `packages3d` directory.  I store my downloaded step files in a directory in my home directory.

When adding 3D shapes (or editing which 3D shape to use, as wrl files do not export to step), I find myself often having to traverse back and forth between my local directory of shapes and the standard Kicad directory of shapes.  This is painful using the tree file chooser.

It would be great if:

- there was a way to configure a number of different paths for 3d shapes, and be easily able to swap between them (e.g. click on a list of paths).
- Maybe a better file chooser ?

- there was text filter to reduce the number of shapes shown
Is there a better way of managing 3D shapes?

BTW, is "3D model" better terminology than "3D shape" ?

Brendan.
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