kicad StepUp: ECAD MCAD bidirectional collaboration
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Re: kicad StepUp: ECAD MCAD bidirectional collaboration
Is there a way to define multiple paths, where stepup searches for the 3D model? In the pcb file is the information where KiCad find the 3D model.
Re: kicad StepUp: ECAD MCAD bidirectional collaboration
please have a look at kicadStepUp-cheat-sheet.pdf
you can configure up to two searching paths in the 'ksu-config.ini' file
Code: Select all
[prefix3D]
;; put here your kisys3dmod path or 3d model prefix path or 3d alias
;; only two prefixs are allowed; must finish with slash or backslash
prefix3d_1 = C:\Program Files\KiCad\share\kicad\modules\packages3d\
prefix3d_2 = D:\extra3Dpackages
paths searched:
* KISYS3DMOD assigned to prefix3d_1
* KIPRJMOD
* an assigned KiCAD environment Var assigned to prefix3d_2
M
some tips here:
https://forum.kicad.info/t/kicad-stepup ... ias/3049/8
Re: kicad StepUp: ECAD MCAD bidirectional collaboration
KiCAD StepUp is now adding a Seamless ECAD/MCAD PCB Data Integration
here a small demo:
- Push/Pull 3D model placement from/to KiCAD board
to/from FreeCAD mechanical design.
- It is possible to move 3D packages around on the 3D
PCB mechanical sw, via both the X and Y axis.
- Tracks will not be touched by the placements done in
the MCAD sw. All the routing will remain in KiCAD.
- Pull KiCAD board inside FreeCAD
- Move and Align the 3D model to the new placement in the
enclosure - Arrange the components nearby the new placement
- Move and Align the mounting holes to the enclosure
support - Sync the kicad_pcb board file within the new design
- Check the result inside KiCAD and reroute the tracks
that are affected by the new placement
here a small demo:
Re: kicad StepUp: ECAD MCAD bidirectional collaboration
wow - this is way cool!
Re: kicad StepUp: ECAD MCAD bidirectional collaboration
looks impressive, even if it is absolutely not my field of knowledge, but is this comparable to what you can do we "professional software" ? (if it exists)
Re: kicad StepUp: ECAD MCAD bidirectional collaboration
Thanks for the appreciation!
Regarding commercial sw you can have a look at the common method with a simple G search
https://www.google.com/search?q=ecad+mcad+synchronize
Most of well known brands are using a similar way of collaboration...
The relative origin doc is here
ProSTEP-iViP_Use-Case_ECAD-MCAD-Collaboration_1.0.pdf
It is mainly based on an extension of IDF format plus an XML for recording the diffs.
Obviously they invested a lot on the plugins Gui and usability...
Anyway, the diff approach could be easily achieved just comparing the placement of all objects in two source files.
Moreover the nice thing with my approach is that can be handled just using a plain STEP file, so only the ECAD designer would require to play with FreeCAD. The MCAD designer could use his/her preferred (commercial) CAD sw without even the need of a plugin.
Moreover the process could be even automated as a plugins, if the process would be improved for using the generated placement diff file.
Maurice
Last edited by easyw-fc on Tue Oct 23, 2018 3:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- Posts: 48
- Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2014 12:42 pm
Re: kicad StepUp: ECAD MCAD bidirectional collaboration
Hi, as instructed in other threads I have used the addon macro to update my step up WB installtion but I still have some issues with it:
The log corresponds to an attempt to add a step file to an already opened FP.
Thanks!
Code: Select all
FreeCAD 0.18, Libs: 0.18R14996 (Git)
© Juergen Riegel, Werner Mayer, Yorik van Havre 2001-2018
##### #### ### ####
# # # # # #
# ## #### #### # # # # #
#### # # # # # # # ##### # #
# # #### #### # # # # #
# # # # # # # # # ## ## ##
# # #### #### ### # # #### ## ## ##
A3 not available
Cannot find icon: /home/anton/.FreeCAD/Mod/kicadStepUpMod/Resources/icons/Tracks.svg
ksuWB.Activated(v 7.8.1)
No module named 'git'
GitPython not found. Using standard download instead.
Downloading https://github.com/easyw/kicadStepUpMod/archive/master.zip
PoM not present
FC Version 018-14996
no Links support
kicad StepUp version 8.1.0.9
tolerance on vertex applied
applying Materials to Shapes
your home path is /home/anton
export to STEP False
Tabified done !
done!
KISYS3DMOD=/
module_3D_dir=//../
FC Version 018
VBO status False
FootPrint Loader /home/anton/Projects/KiCad/kicad-footprints/Button_Switch_SMD.pretty/SW_SPST_KMR2.kicad_mod
SW_SPST_KMR2_fp
import3DModel
ReadShapeCompoundMode status False
Running the Python command 'ksuToolsImport3DStep' failed:
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/home/anton/.FreeCAD/Mod/kicadStepUpMod/kicadStepUpCMD.py", line 359, in Activated
kicadStepUptools.Import3DModelF()
File "/home/anton/.FreeCAD/Mod/kicadStepUpMod/kicadStepUptools.py", line 14923, in Import3DModelF
ImportGui.insert(name, doc.Name)
cannot read STEP file
Thanks!
Re: kicad StepUp: ECAD MCAD bidirectional collaboration
After an update of the WB you need to restart FreeCAD.antoniovazquezblanco wrote: ↑Tue Oct 23, 2018 2:26 pm Hi, as instructed in other threads I have used the addon macro to update my step up WB installtion but I still have some issues with it:
The log corresponds to an attempt to add a step file to an already opened FP.Code: Select all
FreeCAD 0.18, Libs: 0.18R14996 (Git) © Juergen Riegel, Werner Mayer, Yorik van Havre 2001-2018 ##### #### ### #### # # # # # # # ## #### #### # # # # # #### # # # # # # # ##### # # # # #### #### # # # # # # # # # # # # # # ## ## ## # # #### #### ### # # #### ## ## ## A3 not available Cannot find icon: /home/anton/.FreeCAD/Mod/kicadStepUpMod/Resources/icons/Tracks.svg ksuWB.Activated(v 7.8.1) No module named 'git' GitPython not found. Using standard download instead. Downloading https://github.com/easyw/kicadStepUpMod/archive/master.zip PoM not present FC Version 018-14996 no Links support kicad StepUp version 8.1.0.9 tolerance on vertex applied applying Materials to Shapes your home path is /home/anton export to STEP False Tabified done ! done! KISYS3DMOD=/ module_3D_dir=//../ FC Version 018 VBO status False FootPrint Loader /home/anton/Projects/KiCad/kicad-footprints/Button_Switch_SMD.pretty/SW_SPST_KMR2.kicad_mod SW_SPST_KMR2_fp import3DModel ReadShapeCompoundMode status False Running the Python command 'ksuToolsImport3DStep' failed: Traceback (most recent call last): File "/home/anton/.FreeCAD/Mod/kicadStepUpMod/kicadStepUpCMD.py", line 359, in Activated kicadStepUptools.Import3DModelF() File "/home/anton/.FreeCAD/Mod/kicadStepUpMod/kicadStepUptools.py", line 14923, in Import3DModelF ImportGui.insert(name, doc.Name) cannot read STEP file
Thanks!
From your log it is clear you didn't.
Please retry after closing and restarting FreeCAD.
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- Posts: 48
- Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2014 12:42 pm
Re: kicad StepUp: ECAD MCAD bidirectional collaboration
Sorry, I've copied the log of an attempt in which I didn't restart but in others I did restart without success. I have another log showing the same error:
Code: Select all
⇢ ./FreeCAD_0.18.14996_Conda_Py3Qt5_glibc2.12-x86_64.AppImage
/tmp/.mount_FreeCA8xwxZL
FreeCAD 0.18, Libs: 0.18R14996 (Git)
© Juergen Riegel, Werner Mayer, Yorik van Havre 2001-2018
##### #### ### ####
# # # # # #
# ## #### #### # # # # #
#### # # # # # # # ##### # #
# # #### #### # # # # #
# # # # # # # # # ## ## ##
# # #### #### ### # # #### ## ## ##
A3 not available
ksuWB.Activated(v 7.8.1)
PoM not present
FC Version 018-14996
no Links support
kicad StepUp version 8.1.0.9
tolerance on vertex applied
applying Materials to Shapes
your home path is /home/anton
export to STEP False
Tabified done !
done!
KISYS3DMOD=/
module_3D_dir=//../
FC Version 018
VBO status False
FootPrint Loader /home/anton/Projects/KiCad/kicad-footprints/Button_Switch_SMD.pretty/SW_SPST_KMR2.kicad_mod
SW_SPST_KMR2_fp
import3DModel
ReadShapeCompoundMode status False
Running the Python command 'ksuToolsImport3DStep' failed:
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/home/anton/.FreeCAD/Mod/kicadStepUpMod/kicadStepUpCMD.py", line 359, in Activated
kicadStepUptools.Import3DModelF()
File "/home/anton/.FreeCAD/Mod/kicadStepUpMod/kicadStepUptools.py", line 14923, in Import3DModelF
ImportGui.insert(name, doc.Name)
cannot read STEP file
Re: kicad StepUp: ECAD MCAD bidirectional collaboration
that's weird...antoniovazquezblanco wrote: ↑Tue Oct 23, 2018 3:45 pm How can I improve the logging I have provided? Thanks!
I've tested StepUp on
FreeCAD_0.18.14996_Conda_Py3Qt5_glibc2.12-x86_64.AppImage
and Ubuntu 18.04
I can load the fp you tested without any issue... here my log
Code: Select all
PoM not present
FC Version 018-14996
no Links support
kicad StepUp version 8.1.0.9
tolerance on vertex applied
applying Materials to Shapes
your home path is /home/user
export to STEP False
Tabified done !
done!
KISYS3DMOD=/
module_3D_dir=//../
FC Version 018
VBO status False
FootPrint Loader /home/user/Downloads/SW_SPST_KMR2.kicad_mod
SW_SPST_KMR2_fp