Importing a 3D model of a Printed Circuit Board

I am trying to find out whether anyone has tried to import a 3D model
(object) of an assembled
PCB from a PCB CAD package such as Zuken-Redac, Orcad, Protel or Mentor
Graphics. If so
did it successfully import i.e. as a single object? If so, could you
perform translations and rendering
on the model? If not, what problems were encountered?

Kind Regards

tom

 

Circuitworks converts Allegro PCB files well. It probably works on the
files of some of the programs you mentioned too.

-Michael

 

This can be done using the ECAD import option along with *.emn (if I
remember correctly) exported files from an IDF compliant PCB layout
package. I have done this in the past and it worked great but it took
quite a bit of effort/time to get clean, accurate 3D models of PCB's. If
I remember correctly, all of the parts/decals in the PCB layout tool
need to have a "Z" height or thickness assigned to them and then if you
want to, you can swap accurate Pro/E models for PCB decals where you
like. I used this mapping functionality to place accurate models of
headers, connectors and transformers on the PCB in place of the decals.
If this is something that you may do quite a bit of, it is definitely
worth the investment in time to get working, otherwise, modeling the
board and the mechanically significant stuff in Pro/E, may be the way to
go. Of course, the last time that I worked with the ECAD tools was
almost 5 years ago so maybe a few things have changed (maybe gotten
easier)?

Ron

 

CircuitWorks imports from most PCB systems using the IDF file format,
although a seperate translator is required for PADS.
The file is imported as a SolidWorks assembly with all parts seperate.
Regards
Pete

 

Tom,

I've used Desktop EDA to translate Protel99SE files to SW. Since
Protel does not use IDF a special translator for it is required.

The interface works inside of Protel and allows you to set up a
library folder of SW components in which the translator looks. If it
doesn't see the part model it uses the circuit board dimensions to
create primitive solids of the part (i.e. If it doesn't see a model of
an analog resistor it creates a cylinder).

It is very robust and works as advertised. Desktop EDA makes an IDF
version for those ECAD applications that use this file format. Price
is around $700.00 for the IDF version and $1000.00 for the Protel
version.

Cheers,

Len K. Mar, PEng.
E-Data Solutions

 

We also use this software to import from Veribest via IDF. It is mostly
error free, although it may get the heights of components wrong if the PCB
designer doesn't get his z dimension right in his library. Easily fixed in
S/W. Once it comes in, it behaves just like a standard Solidworks assembly.
Very useful for packaging checks. Paid for itself with one interference we
found, and saved us a lot of grief.

bp
DVC Co.