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Re: gEDA-user: STEP Format? [WAS: Re: PCB+GL+3D Packages??]
It looks like you are almost to the next step, but probably the
biggest value of having good 3d representations is the ability to do
clearance checking as a DRC. This is not just visualization, it is
rule-driven placement and flagging of errors when you place components
in conflict with each other, enclosures, or anything else you want to
represent in the PCB. My most recent designs were with Altium
Designer, and they use STEP as their 3d format of choice. This is
nice, because most connector manufacturers provide relatively good
STEP models of their parts for this purpose. Altium supports simple
objects like cubes and cylinders for most parts, but connectors are
always the biggest pain, so it was helpful to be able to import a
STEP. You get the pathway to pretty pictures too, but those are sort
of on a different level of value (mostly for "show and tell"). If PCB
could support clearance checking for components (as well as normal
electrical and other clearances), you'd get the best benefit of 3d
representations.
Here are some notes on the checking in Altium:
http://wiki.altium.com/display/ADOH/Component+Clearance
On Fri, Nov 19, 2010 at 3:02 PM, Peter Clifton <pcjc2@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> On Fri, 2010-11-19 at 13:06 -0800, Colin D Bennett wrote:
>
>> > That suits me just fine.. OpenGL _likes_ rendering triangles, and any
>> > other geometry primitives are extra work to implement ;)
>>
>> But wouldn't support for higher-level shapes be superior to triangle
>> meshes for high-quality renderings (e.g., raytracing, etc.)? Is the
>> goal for PCB 3D support intended to be primarily for high-quality
>> renderings or for real-time viewing of and interaction with the 3D
>> scene?
>
> Primarily for the latter (at the moment). I imagine your component
> design workflow is:
>
> "Proper" 3D CAD (e.g. <insert cad program here>) -----
> or |
> |
> 3D graphics (e.g. Blender) |
> |
> | |
> | |
> \|/ |
> |
> Export VRML / Collada / ... for PCB's library |
> \|/
> |
> | Export CAD constraints, case etc..
> \|/
> |
> Design board using PCB <----------------------------
>
> | |
> | -----> Emit rendering description in graphics friendly format ---
> \|/ |
> |
> Emit board shape / component placement as CAD data in "some" format |
> |
> | \|/
> | Render board in graphics app.
> \|/ povtrace / blender?
>
> Model board in CAD, design casing around it / whatever
>
>
>
> I'm coming round to the idea that 3D is more than just eye candy if we
> do it nicely. It helps visualise component placement and layout issues
> far more readily than just looking at flat layers can do. Your brain may
> spot issues it wouldn't otherwise.
>
> I have also spoken to design professionals who value the ability to emit
> 3D renderings, however rough, as it allows better communication of
> project progress and design ideas to clients, who may not themselves be
> technical. (Think.. your manager??)
>
>> triangle meshes: cylindrical resistors, disc-shaped ceramic capacitors,
>
> My shiny through hole resistor screen-shots had approx 6000 panels, and
> yes, it does slow things down if you have lots on screen at once!
>
>
> --
> Peter Clifton
>
> Electrical Engineering Division,
> Engineering Department,
> University of Cambridge,
> 9, JJ Thomson Avenue,
> Cambridge
> CB3 0FA
>
> Tel: +44 (0)7729 980173 - (No signal in the lab!)
> Tel: +44 (0)1223 748328 - (Shared lab phone, ask for me)
>
>
>
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