Parts library browser
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Parts library browser
I added a few objects to the Parts library on http://github.com/yorikvanhavre/FreeCAD-library (shouldn't we clone that repo on the official freecad github account?) that were since a very long time in the mantis tracker, and I also took the opportunity to quickly make a little browser for it:
It's pretty simple really, you must edit the macro to set the path to your library folder (where you doenloaded or cloned the library), then activating it opens a browser window that displays the library contents. Just double-click the item to add it to the current document.
This library seems a bit dumb now, compared to BOLTS, but it might still be useful anyway...
The macro is included in the library repo.
It's pretty simple really, you must edit the macro to set the path to your library folder (where you doenloaded or cloned the library), then activating it opens a browser window that displays the library contents. Just double-click the item to add it to the current document.
This library seems a bit dumb now, compared to BOLTS, but it might still be useful anyway...
The macro is included in the library repo.
Re: Parts library browser
Are you talking about the stuff the guy added which had been produced with Autodesk Inventor?yorik wrote:I added a few objects to the Parts library on http://github.com/yorikvanhavre/FreeCAD-library (shouldn't we clone that repo on the official freecad github account?) that were since a very long time in the mantis tracker
Might there not be a licensing problem?
I agree the repo should be cloned to the official FreeCAD github account.
Re: Parts library browser
At least the freecad files are modeled with freecad. But I didn't look much into the stp files. Are you sure they are modeled with inventor? Anyway, I don't know if that is a problem?
Re: Parts library browser
You can open a STP file with a text editor. There's a field for the name of the software used to create it.
The problem is that not all of those parts were modeled by the guy, he downloaded quite a few from different places. I'll try to locate the original topic.
The problem is that not all of those parts were modeled by the guy, he downloaded quite a few from different places. I'll try to locate the original topic.
Re: Parts library browser
Why didn't I think of it... Indeed you are right, all the step files are made with inventor.normandc wrote:You can open a STP file with a text editor. There's a field for the name of the software used to create it.
The freecad files seem to be hand-modeled, though, you can see all the modeling history. Maybe we should strip the step files? I don't know if it's really necessary...
Re: Parts library browser
We should keep track on the authors and licenses of parts we use in FreeCAD. If someone contribute library parts from commercial products, step or not, in can become ugly...
As a rule of thumb I would say: All modelled in FreeCAD is pretty save. Contributed STEP parts are a bit dangerous and need a additional eye...
As a rule of thumb I would say: All modelled in FreeCAD is pretty save. Contributed STEP parts are a bit dangerous and need a additional eye...
Stop whining - start coding!
Re: Parts library browser
Maybe it's best to remove them then... If the library grows, it will become hard to find them back.
Re: Parts library browser
Hello yorik.
Just stumbled across this post and evaluated your little application and had to state a few things.
1) It is AWESOME and VERY COOL ! I like the idea of easily setting up some user specific Library. Great Work !
2) On Windows you have to install Pyside but hopefully with the next stable release/compilation under Windows
that is included so maybe this point would be obsolete in the future
3) I have to admit that i am a long-time Windows user (from DOS to Win 3.11 up to Win7 nowadays ...)
so i didn't like the Idea of manually editing the macro to adjust the Library-Path.
Would it be possible to
a) include the (obvious) remark to move the macro to the macro-directory of Freecad in the install-Readme ?
Besides: The Readme.md contains some errors (missing spaces) and is pointing AFAIK to the wrong (old)
Forum-Thread for discussion/contributing
b) include in the macro a scan of the Library-Path on startup, and if the scan returns no hits please pop up
an error message saying "No Library Parts found. Please verify/adjust Library-Path by editing the Macro"
4) maybe i am a little greedy ...
but would it be possible to add a small thumbnail to the files ?
That would make things easier for the Users ...
And it would be the cream topping on the cake
Have a nice Time.
Roland
Just stumbled across this post and evaluated your little application and had to state a few things.
1) It is AWESOME and VERY COOL ! I like the idea of easily setting up some user specific Library. Great Work !
2) On Windows you have to install Pyside but hopefully with the next stable release/compilation under Windows
that is included so maybe this point would be obsolete in the future
3) I have to admit that i am a long-time Windows user (from DOS to Win 3.11 up to Win7 nowadays ...)
so i didn't like the Idea of manually editing the macro to adjust the Library-Path.
Would it be possible to
a) include the (obvious) remark to move the macro to the macro-directory of Freecad in the install-Readme ?
Besides: The Readme.md contains some errors (missing spaces) and is pointing AFAIK to the wrong (old)
Forum-Thread for discussion/contributing
b) include in the macro a scan of the Library-Path on startup, and if the scan returns no hits please pop up
an error message saying "No Library Parts found. Please verify/adjust Library-Path by editing the Macro"
4) maybe i am a little greedy ...
but would it be possible to add a small thumbnail to the files ?
That would make things easier for the Users ...
And it would be the cream topping on the cake
Have a nice Time.
Roland
Deutsche FreeCAD Tutorials auf Youtube
My GrabCAD FreeCAD-Projects
FreeCAD lessons for beginners in english
Native german speaker - so apologies for my english, no offense intended
My GrabCAD FreeCAD-Projects
FreeCAD lessons for beginners in english
Native german speaker - so apologies for my english, no offense intended
Re: Parts library browser
Hi Yorikyorik wrote:Maybe it's best to remove them then... If the library grows, it will become hard to find them back.
I think if there is any doubt at all about licences etc. or where these came from ...then you really should remove them.
If they are standard parts, like standard nuts etc. we could just remodel them all ourselves from scratch, so there is totally clear licensing etc.
Perhaps we could post a list somewhere and get some of our users out there to contribute by modelling them and posting back the versions they made themselves?
Jim
Re: Parts library browser
Yeah... I think I agree with that. I'll remove them, they'll stay in the history in case someone wants to push them back.jmaustpc wrote:I think if there is any doubt at all about licences etc. or where these came from ...then you really should remove them.
Honestly I'm still not too sure about how to do this. The library can be installed anywhere by the user, so we cannot simply "scan" (it could take hours). Of course editing the path manually is a provisory dirty hack, but give me some time to think about the best way to do it. About thumbnails, well it is possible to extract thumbnails from the fcstd files (provided they were saved with thumbnails) but not from step files I'm afraid... Anyway, this might be a good idea indeed.r-frank wrote:3) I have to admit that i am a long-time Windows user (from DOS to Win 3.11 up to Win7 nowadays ...)
so i didn't like the Idea of manually editing the macro to adjust the Library-Path.
Would it be possible to
a) include the (obvious) remark to move the macro to the macro-directory of Freecad in the install-Readme ?
Besides: The Readme.md contains some errors (missing spaces) and is pointing AFAIK to the wrong (old)
Forum-Thread for discussion/contributing
b) include in the macro a scan of the Library-Path on startup, and if the scan returns no hits please pop up
an error message saying "No Library Parts found. Please verify/adjust Library-Path by editing the Macro"