Help needed: 3D models for KiCad

Layout is currently happening in @Michael Welling repo:

https://github.com/mwelling/Badge-PCB

However, we don't currently have 3D models setup for most parts:

Any advice or help would be appreciated!

This is the BoM;

https://drive.google.com/file/d/18lHeGdCgqArWiu-SZ1YsWTnsnJjhUgXG/view?usp=sharing

Our tact switch in the BoM is E-Switch TL3305CF260QG (Digi-Key EG5355CT-ND).

https://www.digikey.de/products/en?keywords=EG5355CT-ND

This is the footprint being used in KiCad:

But the 3D model is:

but doesn't have same apperance as:

DigiKey does give a STEP file: http://stp-3d-models.e-switch.com/stp3dmodels/TL3305CFxxxxG.stp

@Andrew Sowa @Anool Mahidharia any advice on using the STEP file in KiCad?

Discussions

schwarzrmsu wrote 01/13/2020 at 02:05

I use the kicad-StepUp tool macro within FreeCAD. It allows you to align step files with footprints you have designed within kiCAD. Then you can export the footprint as a .wrl which is compatible with kiCAD. There are many tutorials on youtube for kicad-StepUp too.

Other than that I recommend you start a library of components, and keep consistent with adding in the 3D model every time you generate a new footprint. This helps part re-use, and eliminates the amount of time required to generate a 3D model of your PCBA.

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Michael Welling wrote 01/11/2020 at 22:21

Awesome!

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oshpark wrote 01/11/2020 at 11:44

Big thanks to @greg davill for making a video of how to add STEP to footprint:

https://twitter.com/GregDavill/status/1215783134710493184

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morgan wrote 01/11/2020 at 02:09

It looks like these symbols came from an older version of KiCAD, it only took me a minute or two to fixed all the passives.

https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/023/781/037/small/4bff877c51e92ed5.png

(sorry I cannot post the picture directly)

For example, the resistors all have the footprint R_0402 but the current versions of KiCAD use R_0402_1005Metric

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oshpark wrote 01/11/2020 at 11:53

thanks!

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Ken Yap wrote 01/11/2020 at 01:34

I'm surprised if you don't have 3D models for many of the common parts like resistors and capacitors. I've been able to 3D render in Kicad for most components. For the less common ones maybe you can look in grabcad and adapt some of the models for your own step models. There's a tute by Rene Poschi on forum.kicad.info on making your own footprints and 3D models using a KicadStepUp plugin and freecad.

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oshpark wrote 01/11/2020 at 11:54

thanks!

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oshpark wrote 01/10/2020 at 22:36

Our tact switch in the BoM is: EG5355CT-ND

This is the footprint being used in KiCad:

but doesn't have same apperance as:

https://www.digikey.de/products/en?keywords=EG5355CT-ND

DigiKey does give a STEP file:
http://stp-3d-models.e-switch.com/stp3dmodels/TL3305CFxxxxG.stp

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oshpark wrote 01/10/2020 at 22:24

@Anool Mahidharia any suggestions? thanks

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Anool Mahidharia wrote 01/11/2020 at 07:49

I'm able to add that STP file model for the footprint you're using. Create a folder within your KiCad project to store all the 3D models. Then add all the ones you need, and finally link to them using the KiCad > Footprint Properties command.

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Anool Mahidharia wrote 01/11/2020 at 10:53

Here's where I'm at.

Edit : Dang, can't add images in Comment replies.

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Anool Mahidharia wrote 01/11/2020 at 11:00

https://github.com/wyolum/Badge-PCB/blob/master/renders/badge-01.png

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Anool Mahidharia wrote 01/11/2020 at 11:01

https://github.com/wyolum/Badge-PCB/blob/master/renders/badge-02.png

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Anool Mahidharia wrote 01/11/2020 at 11:15

Here's my fork : https://github.com/wyolum/Badge-PCB

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oshpark wrote 01/11/2020 at 11:43

thanks! @Michael Welling i'll merge this into the main repo

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Help needed: 3D models for KiCad

Update: improved 3-D render

Discussions

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