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External STEP mapping

Printed From: PCB Libraries Forum
Category: PCB Footprint Expert
Forum Name: Product Suggestions
Forum Description: request new features
URL: https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2036
Printed Date: 30 Oct 2025 at 5:36pm


Topic: External STEP mapping
Posted By: craig4tone
Subject: External STEP mapping
Date Posted: 13 Dec 2016 at 7:34am
It would be nice to be able to define an external STEP model to a part in the FPX.  For example, most connector suppliers will provide an accurate STEP for the part.  We could download the STEP and add the model name to the FPX file.  When the part is exported, it looks for that model and if it exists, it exports that to the target tool vs. a block extrusion.


Replies:
Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 13 Dec 2016 at 7:38am
This feature is planned for the V2019 Library Expert. Due for release this time next year approximately March 2019.



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Posted By: toshas
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2017 at 10:34pm
Waiting for this feature too!
Will it allow align model to footprint pattern (rotate/move if necessary)?
What is approximate timeline of V2018?
 
Thanks a lot!

Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 02 Aug 2017 at 6:35am
We can add this feature as soon as we're able to save unique 3D STEP files on POD. 



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Posted By: LaserAlex
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2017 at 3:48pm
I just came to the forum to see if anyone else had suggested this.  I'm definitely looking forward to the new release which supports this.  (But I understand that this is far from trivial to implement!)

Fantastic upgrade!

Posted By: Joris-Hiber
Date Posted: 21 Nov 2018 at 12:36am
Yes this would be amazing! Any updates on this?

Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 21 Nov 2018 at 12:24pm
We have to be careful if users really want to grow the size of the FPX file.

Example: a simple 2-pin CAPAE FPX file size is 2KB but the 3D STEP model is 140KB

This one simple example makes a single part FPX file 80 times larger.

The main idea was to add the complex 3D STEP models to FP Designer parts, like connectors. This would make the FPX file 800 times larger. Then multiply that by millions of FP Designer parts on the POD SQL Server Cloud.

One of the alternate concepts that we're working on is to have POD link back to the mfr. website with a URL link that allows you to download their 3D STEP model without having to search the web for it.

One way or the other we'll be addressing this issue in V2019.

We are also working on a 3D model viewer in V2019.



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Posted By: toshas
Date Posted: 01 Jan 2019 at 4:53am

Hi!

imho main concern is : it is impossible to link external 3d model (with correct rotation and alignment) during export procedure from Library Expert. Right now we have only "box" instead of connector shape.

I think many users is able to find and download model and also send it inside their CAD software.
This is just additional step needed after every export from Library Expert for now. (Of course it is possible to have separate connector library which is not reexported every time).

Looks like the main proposal was help users to exclude this addition step out of their work. And adding full 3d model inside FPX file (how about update and version control ?) is absolutely another story.

Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 01 Jan 2019 at 8:31am
There are thousands of different Connector shapes. There are over 500,000 connector patterns available on POD and each one requires a unique 3D model that display all the Terminal Leads and body shapes and cutouts. 

In order to automate the process of creating these unique connectors, the user would have to enter every dimension into a menu. This process could take hours and almost the same amount of time creating a connector from scratch in SolidWorks. 

It's best that you download connector 3D models from the component manufacturer. It's much more accurate and faster and you can validate the footprint accuracy too. 

In the future, PCB Libraries, Inc. will host custom 3D STEP models on our cloud for customer download, but they will not be free. You'll have to purchase a yearly subscription to access millions of schematic symbols, footprints and 3D STEP models. Your yearly subscription will include new part requests for schematic symbols, footprints and 3D STEP models. 

The new subscription model will be called a LEAP Subscription and it will be available the first week of March. 

The 100% rewrite of V2019 Library Expert will also be available around that time and it will include schematic symbols. 

You will also be able to get the full featured Library Expert Enterprise for free soon. Just pay 20% of the list price for yearly maintenance and lease the Enterprise version. This will be available this month. 



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Posted By: toshas
Date Posted: 01 Jan 2019 at 10:48am
Originally posted by Tom H Tom H wrote:

There are thousands of different Connector shapes. There are over 500,000 connector patterns available on POD and each one requires a unique 3D model that display all the Terminal Leads and body shapes and cutouts. 
In order to automate the process of creating these unique connectors, the user would have to enter every dimension into a menu. This process could take hours and almost the same amount of time creating a connector from scratch in SolidWorks. 
 
It's best that you download connector 3D models from the component manufacturer. It's much more accurate and faster and you can validate the footprint accuracy too. 
 
I'm totally agree with each sentence!
 
Could you give an option to export footprints from Library Expert with custom 3d model (already downloaded from manufacturer website) ?

Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 01 Jan 2019 at 11:00am
Yes, that feature is coming with our new website design. 

We will do the following in the near future:
  1. Download connectors from the mfr. website
  2. Relocate the origin to match the Footprint
  3. Reorient the Pin 1 rotation to match the Footprint
  4. Change the Axis to "Z" (right plane) for most CAD tools
  5. Update the color of the package body and the Terminal Leads
  6. Rename the 3D STEP model to match the Footprint Name
We refuse to provide useless junk to our customers. The 3D models must be the highest quality. 

The 3D STEP model will come in a .ZIP file download and available to everyone who purchases a yearly LEAP Subscription. I do not know the price tag of the LEAP subscription yet, but we're trying to keep it under $1,000 a year to access millions of additional parts beyond POD.



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Posted By: toshas
Date Posted: 01 Jan 2019 at 11:28am
Originally posted by Tom H Tom H wrote:

Yes, that feature is coming with our new website design. 
We will do the following in the near future:
  1. Download connectors from the mfr. website
  2. Relocate the origin to match the Footprint
  3. Reorient the Pin 1 rotation to match the Footprint
  4. Change the Axis to "Z" (right plane) for most CAD tools
  5. Update the color of the package body and the Terminal Leads
  6. Rename the 3D STEP model to match the Footprint Name
We refuse to provide useless junk to our customers. The 3D models must be the highest quality. 

The 3D STEP model will come in a .ZIP file download and available to everyone who purchases a yearly LEAP Subscription. I do not know the price tag of the LEAP subscription yet, but we're trying to keep it under $1,000 a year to access millions of additional parts beyond POD.
 
 
I'm confused a little bit: I'm talking about PCB Library Expert software by itself and you're talking about website services.
 
I'm looking for it from POD user point of view:
Till now I'm able to order footprint from pcblibraries website but with "simple" 3d model. Then I'm able to download "right" model from manufacturer website. All that I'm asking - ability to replace models inside PCB Library Expert, because right now it can be done only in CAD software.
 
Looks like you want to provide another way:
Grab models from manufacturer website (let's say N model with different height for each conector), align it with a footprints (let's say M types of different pins count) and upload all combination (N*M) to website. So any user will be able to find exact partnumber.
 
Is it correct undestanding ?

Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 01 Jan 2019 at 11:42am
Library Expert will never be able to auto-generate an accurate HDMI or USB connector as there are too many dimensions involved. 

We must manually create these fancy unique models as requested by the customer and they will not be free. It takes 2 - 4 hours to manually create an accurate HDMI connector and we can't find a professional 3D model drafter who will work for free. Their normal pay rate is $50 an hour in USA and $30 an hour in India. 

I know that you are asking for Free complex 3D STEP models and you should get those from the component manufacturer. PCB Libraries cannot download 3D STEP models from the component manufacturer and redistribute them "As Is" without their consent or written approval. 

We are however working on a deal with the connector manufactures to provide a direct URL link to their website so you can download them from there. You'll have to accept that solution if you want free complex connector 3D models. 



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Posted By: toshas
Date Posted: 01 Jan 2019 at 11:58am
Originally posted by Tom H Tom H wrote:

Library Expert will never be able to auto-generate an accurate HDMI or USB connector as there are too many dimensions involved. 

We must manually create these fancy unique models as requested by the customer and they will not be free. It takes 2 - 4 hours to manually create an accurate HDMI connector and we can't find a professional 3D model drafter who will work for free. Their normal pay rate is $50 an hour in USA and $30 an hour in India. 

I know that you are asking for Free complex 3D STEP models and you should get those from the component manufacturer. PCB Libraries cannot download 3D STEP models from the component manufacturer and redistribute them "As Is" without their consent or written approval. 

We are however working on a deal with the connector manufactures to provide a direct URL link to their website so you can download them from there. You'll have to accept that solution if you want free complex connector 3D models. 

 
Again, I'm totally agree with you!
 
In case when I already have complex 3d model (nevermind created by myself or downloaded from external link) will it be possible include this model during footprint export in V2019 ?
 
Thanks for your replies!
 
btw it's not only price question, who is responsible for potential errors are also very important. 


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