Kicad 3d board viewer

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longracing
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Kicad 3d board viewer

Post by longracing »

Just wondering what type of files the KiCAD 3d board view uses?
I was going to see if I could generate some 3d models with Autodesk Inventor.
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jharvey
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Re: Kicad 3d board viewer

Post by jharvey »

I'm not sure if the KICAD files can be exported as a solid. The 3D engine is WINGS3D. Perhpas WINGS can do it. You are likely best to convert the Gerber to a DXF, then extrude from that. I believe there are programs that will convert the artwork to DXF. I haven't done it but believe it can be done.
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longracing
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Re: Kicad 3d board viewer

Post by longracing »

Sorry should have made myself more clear.
I can generate a number of solid files with Autodesk Inventor, I was wondering what file types could be imported into KiCAD. My interest was in generating new components not yet updated in KiCAD.
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jharvey
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Re: Kicad 3d board viewer

Post by jharvey »

I see Wing3D can import and export .3DS, I seem to recall those work for Autodesk products. I believe if you import at 3DS, you can then save to a native wings format. The Wings format is a text file, this text file can be copied and pasted in to the KICAD file. I think, that right, or at least close to it.
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