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What is the easiest way to do a 3D model of a pcb? — Parallax Forums

What is the easiest way to do a 3D model of a pcb?

Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
edited 2011-08-05 16:45 in General Discussion
I use Protel Advanced PCB V3.x which is quite old (circa 1995).

I would like to do some 3D representations of some of my pcbs. What is the easiest and cheapest (free) way? (software etc).

Comments

  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2011-07-27 05:05
    Get a PCB package that does 3D, like the Pulsonix software I use! :)

    Seriously, you can probably import your designs into another package that does 3D, like the Pulsonix demo. Eagle might be worth trying, also; I think that has 3D capability. I could import your designs into Pulsonix and let you have the images.

    I just saved this 3D image of one of my boards. I didn't put any effort into making the parts look realistic in a 3D design program. I can rotate the image, zoom in and out, and do clever stuff like showing drill holes and zooming into them.
    3D.jpg
    1024 x 576 - 43K
    3D.jpg 42.8K
  • TubularTubular Posts: 4,717
    edited 2011-07-27 05:17
    Diptrace now does 3D, and Eagle has for a while.

    If you're using Protel/Tango you could give it to someone with Altium Designer to generate the 3D for you
  • Luis DigitalLuis Digital Posts: 371
    edited 2011-07-27 06:16
    Kicad
    The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 10 characters.
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2011-07-27 09:35
    If you just wanted it so that you have a generated image on the fly (for your personal use) than DipTrace or Protel should be good. I've used the Diptrace one with good results.

    Of course, if you wanted a professional quality model, you could (cough) hire me to design one (cough)
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2011-07-28 01:41
    I just want to do a 3d rendition of the pcbs I am having produced so I can post them on the forum. Nothing fancy, so I don't need to import anything from protel.

    I saw Google Sketchup should work, but I failed to find hardly any 3d parts. Are there 3d parts available for diptrace? (simple parts.. ICs, pin headers)
  • Dr_AculaDr_Acula Posts: 5,484
    edited 2011-07-28 03:39
    I think Eagle can do this http://www.instructables.com/id/Render-3D-images-of-your-PCBs-using-Eagle3D-and-PO/
  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2011-07-28 04:13
    For some reason, he doesn't seem to want to import anything from Protel into another package. I get the impression that he wants to draw the PCB from scratch in a 3D CAD package like Sketchup.
  • Ahle2Ahle2 Posts: 1,179
    edited 2011-07-28 08:17
    KiCad is completely free and has got most features of tools costing thousands of dollars. (Like 3D view, unlimited amount of layers. etc)
    I´ve used it for a couple of designs. Now that I have used it for a while I have started to wonder why hobbyists would ever need anything that costs money.

    /Johannes
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2011-07-28 18:47
    Leon wrote: »
    For some reason, he doesn't seem to want to import anything from Protel into another package. I get the impression that he wants to draw the PCB from scratch in a 3D CAD package like Sketchup.

    Exactly Leon. My pcbs are simple and I would just like a simple 3d program to make a simple representation so I can show the stacking and plugging capability. A simple and approximate representation of my pcbs is all I require for now, so a simple 3D program (free) is all I require. I am happy with my (legal) Protel, bugs and all, at least for now.

    So I need the following 3d objects: 44pin QFP, Pin headers, both male and female, xtal hc49us, and to create a pcb with holes. That is pretty much it because the resistors, caps, etc are not required, at least for this exercise.
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2011-07-29 08:22
    SketchUp is not so good when you want a nice render for a presentation. I use Blender for my 3D designs, though it has a bit of a learning curve, it works great for little animations and models (I used it to make my avatar).
    Considering how my avatar is composed of electrical components, I haven models of all of them, and a QFP propeller chip model. I can send them to you if you want to use them.
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2011-07-29 16:38
    microcontrolled: I have used blender a little to do modelling for my micro-mendel project, so yes please. cluso at bluemagic dot biz

    I looked at the various options. However, I cannot seem to find a simple example of how these models are put together. SUrely there is a library of fairly standard parts (ics, resistors and caps at least) that can be placed on a pcb to produce a basic 3d model. I have seen lots of pics of them. Isn't there a 3d program that I can just add the blocks (ics, etc) to a pcb base and simply do this???
  • bomberbomber Posts: 297
    edited 2011-07-30 07:47
    Target 3001! Link to software page here. Examples of 3D here. Includes PCB and schenatic software too.
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2011-07-31 03:13
    bomber: This looks good but unfortunately the download fails with a nsis error. By chance, do you have the free download exe?
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2011-07-31 18:18
    OK, I managed to find an older version that works (13 or 14 - described as both).

    In the 3D view section I was able to create a pcb and place components on it from the component pane. But so far I have not worked ot how to add those components from the library - I can edit them, but not copy them onto the pcb. Otherwise, this looks simple enough, and lots of components in the library to make what I need. As I said, I am only after a simple 3D representation, not accurate (at least for now).
  • bomberbomber Posts: 297
    edited 2011-08-05 16:29
    Cluso99 wrote: »
    bomber: This looks good but unfortunately the download fails with a nsis error. By chance, do you have the free download exe?

    I might have another link. I will respond as soon as I can find that link.
  • bomberbomber Posts: 297
    edited 2011-08-05 16:45
    bomber wrote: »
    I might have another link. I will respond as soon as I can find that link.

    Found the link! try here
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