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3D models for Diptrace components — Parallax Forums

3D models for Diptrace components

Don MDon M Posts: 1,652
edited 2013-11-21 16:56 in General Discussion
Don't know if this has been talked about before but I found a place where you can download 3D models of parts.

3dcontentcentral.com

1. You download the 3D file in .stl format.
2. Then you use a 3D viewer / converter program called Wings3D to import the file and then export it as a .wrl file into the 3d models folder of Diptrace.

Wings3D program: www.wings3d.com

Here's a YouTube video on how to do it: http://youtu.be/ZBGmNvqATkE

Comments

  • tonyp12tonyp12 Posts: 1,951
    edited 2013-11-09 08:58
    Sometimes I see .step file as the only option on manufactures sites etc

    1: use Cad Exchanger: new, import 3d file, export as wrlm
    http://www.cadexchanger.com/download.html

    2: convert the above wrlm to wrlm2.0 with AccuTrans 3D
    http://www.micromouse.ca/downloads.html (it does not create a launch icon so search for at3d)
  • JonnyMacJonnyMac Posts: 9,107
    edited 2013-11-10 14:03
    Helpful! I think I need to spend the time learning enough Wings3D to reset the origin of the part. Unfortunately, DipTrace does not seem to allow one to drag a part to the pattern in order to set the X, Y, and Z offsets. I used those to programs to convert IGS and STP models from manufacturers and some seem to have the origin in an odd spot.
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2013-11-10 15:08
    KiCAD uses WRL as well, so a similar process should work well. Here is the full list of Linux compatible 3D engineering oriented (not graphics) software that I've found that can be used to process 3D files:
    - meshconv
    - Wings3D
    - VariCAD Viewer (stl)
    - Meshlab
    - FreeCAD (crashes on my Ubuntu13.04 system)
    - view3DScene (wrl)
  • JonnyMacJonnyMac Posts: 9,107
    edited 2013-11-10 22:11
    Until today I didn't pay much attention to the 3D models. As I was nearing completion of a board I decided to find additional models (got Molex connector models from Mouser.com, and the uSD socket from Hirose), and convert them with the suggestions in the thread. The non-locking 0.1 headers are from 3DContentCentral and I'm not thrilled with them, but they'll do for the moment. A few models took some finessing to get placed correctly on the pattern but I'm glad I did. Being able to look at the 3D model of a built-up board caused me to make some adjustments and I think the board looks better for it.

    We'll see how I feel in the morning after I've slept on it.
    3d_view.jpg
    1024 x 713 - 49K
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2013-11-10 22:37
    One of the benefits of the 3D model is that you can 3D print it and try it in your case. Or even better: you can 3D print the case too.
  • WBA ConsultingWBA Consulting Posts: 2,934
    edited 2013-11-10 23:31
    Ditto on the "helpful" comment. Thanks for the thread and the links. I have had a few struggles with getting 3D models to work with DipTrace when I started with it a few years ago, so I sort of gave up. Glad someone else took the time to work it out.

    JonnyMac: Nice layout. If that board is what I think it is, I can't wait to see it on the market. It's long overdue.
  • JonnyMacJonnyMac Posts: 9,107
    edited 2013-11-11 07:55
    Andrew: It's probably not what you think it is (it's a replacement for a customer board that currently uses a PIC chip).

    BTW, what do you think it is?

    And, thank you. Now that the Starbucks is kicking in, I'll be going over it with a fine-toothed comb.

    Tip for using Wings3D to fix origin: I found that some models had odd origins, especially the uSD cards from Hirose. I imported them into Wings3D, box-selected the model (it turns red), then right-clicked and selected "Absolute Commands." A new menu appears, from which I selected "Move" and entered 0, 0, 0, in the X, Y, and Z locations. It's much easier to rotate and scale a part in DipTrace if it has a 0, 0, 0 origin.

    Don't be alarmed if you model seems to be tipped up on edge in Wings3D. In that program the Z axis comes out of the screen, whereas in DipTrace, the Z axis is up/down in the view.
  • WBA ConsultingWBA Consulting Posts: 2,934
    edited 2013-11-11 15:59
    JonnyMac: It has the uncanny resemblance to a Propeller based LCD backpack. And a step further would be a toaster oven reflow controller (which I know you and I exchanged some thoughts on a few years ago)
  • JonnyMacJonnyMac Posts: 9,107
    edited 2013-11-11 18:30
    Well, an LCD attaches to it....

    I've had really good luck using my friend's Cuisinart oven (we share it), so I haven't thought much more about the oven controller. That said, and having received a bunch of vacuum packed salmon fillets from my family in Alaska, I am thinking about a Sous Vide controller.
  • tonyp12tonyp12 Posts: 1,951
    edited 2013-11-21 11:05
    I noticed when I download as .stl the component is just one gray color
    and if I download as .step it's in color, useful for color leds etc

    So you have to use the steps from my post #2 above to retain colors.
  • Don MDon M Posts: 1,652
    edited 2013-11-21 16:56
    Ahhh good to know Tony. Thanks!
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