Our Solidworks chokes often on PCB STEP model with too many complex component STEP models.

If you are using Orcad or Allegro, there is a factor making the STEP model bigger than they should be and more tedious to load into a CAD tool. I discovered that Footprint expert is using the old Orcad 3D mapper to map a STEP into a footprint. I do not know why but it results in a larger footprint file. Instead of using Footprint expert batch file, if I manually map the STEP model using Orcad 3D canva, I obtain a subtantialy smaller footprint file, especially for BGA with hundreds of pins. It is easier for Solidwork to load the resulting PCB step model. However for large PCBs, I still have to delete complex components before exporting the 3D PCB model otherwise Solidworks will choke.

So anything to make the STEP models smaller is very welcome. 

Hi there,

currently the step models created by FPX consist of many different sub-parts, e. g. a sub-part for every pin and the body.

So the step model of a PCBA with a lot of components has A LOT of sub-parts. Unfortunately our mechanical CAD tool (Creo) appears to have problems with step models that have a lot of sub-parts.

Would it be possible for FPX - maybe optionally with a checkbox - to create step models as a single part? This would significantly reduce the number of sub-parts in the step model of a PCBA.

As a single part it should still be possible to have pins and body in a different color, for example.

Regards,