Disabling Model Body Outline

chrisa_pcb wrote: I've set it to show the Courtyard and 3D Model Outline Layers for Diptrace. It'll be in 2013, which should be the next release.

Thanks for adding this. The library was not usable in DipTrace before this.

dwaltoneng wrote: Is it going to be possible to turn off the body outline in the user preferences drafting tab? Tom H seemed to think it should be possible in the second post of this thread.

This is still not possible through Setup->UserPreferences. However it works if you edit "C:\Program Files\PCB Libraries\FPX 2013\UserPreferences.dat" and set ModelOutlineWidth="0".

I've set it to show the Courtyard and 3D Model Outline Layers for Diptrace. It'll be in 2013, which should be the next release.

dwaltoneng wrote: Hi James, Thanks for your help. However the Footprint Expert DipTrace output option only lists the following layers (in the create footprint dialog box): Solder Mask, Paste Mask, Silkscreen Outline, Assembly Outline. The Pulsonix output option also lists Courtyard Outline and 3D Model Outline. DipTrace appears to be importing the Assembly Outline correctly, so I assume it is Footprint Expert that is mapping the 3D Model Outline and the Courtyard Outline to the Silkscreen Outline.

I just had a look at the PADS file created using the DipTrace output option. The "Courtyard Outline" and the "3D Model Outline" are still placed on layers 20 and 25 respectively, Footprint Expert just does not give the option of changing them. DipTrace is mapping layers 20 and 25 onto the silkscreen.

Is it possible for PCB Libraries to update Footprint Expert so that the "Create Footprint" dialog box for the DipTrace output option has the same fields as the Pulsonix output option. I would then be able to map the courtyard and model outline where I liked (probably the Assembly layer is the only possibility).

Jeff.M wrote: I was wrong about exporting the model outline...it is included in the output (Iwas thinking about the terminal outlines which are not exported).  To disable the model outline, set the width to zero.  Its the very last item on the references drafting tab.  This worked in the few parts I tried but if you find it isn't working for you it may be a part-specific bug.  In that case please let me know the component thats giving you trouble.

If I click on Setup "User Preferences" or "Default Preferences" and then the Drafting tab, I can't set the model outline width to zero. I have tried this with v2012.50 and v2012.51.
I have now found that I can set the "3-D Model Outline Width" to zero on the Drafting tab individually for each component. If I "Build Current Footprint" this works, but if I "Build Library Selection" the "User Preferences" or "Default Preferences" take over and I end up with the model outline on the silkscreen again.

David,

I checked to make sure and 2012.51 FPX works correctly in that if you change the Courtyard Outline Width to 0.00, de-select "Include Centroid marker with Courtyard" and changed "3-D Model Outline Width" then these items will not be included in a PADS 2007 .d file output for the "Pulsonix" output, and I loaded in to DipTrace okay.

*PADS-LIBRARY-PCB-DECALS-V2007*

TRIAL2 M 0 0 2 2 3 0 5 1
TIMESTAMP 2013.4.24.14.11.39
"Geometry.Height" 1.1mm
"Description" Small Outline Transistor (SOT23), 0.65 mm pitch;5 pin,2.00 mm L X 1.25 mm W X 1.10 mm H body
0 0 0 0 0.87 0.09 27 17 42 "Default Font"
REF-DES
0 0 0 0 1.2 0.12 26 17 42 "Default Font"
REF-DES
CLOSED 6 0.12 27 -1
1.1 -0.68
-0.647 -0.68
-1.1 -0.227
-1.1 0.68
1.1 0.68
1.1 -0.68
OPEN 2 0.12 26 -1
-1.1 -1.495
-1.1 0.68
OPEN 2 0.12 26 -1
1.1 -0.68
1.1 0.68
T-0.65 -0.96 -0.65 -0.96 1
T0 -0.96 0 -0.96 2
T0.65 -0.96 0.65 -0.96 3
T0.65 0.96 0.65 0.96 4
T-0.65 0.96 -0.65 0.96 5
PAD 0 5 N 0
-2 0.4 RF 90 1.19 0
-1 0 R
0 0 R
21 0.4 RF 90 1.19 0
23 0.4 RF 90 1.19 0

*END*

The contents of the .d file are above.  If you copy and paste this into a text file and save it as trial2.d you can try and import it yourself to see.

In the footprint if you click the Drafting tab you can change these settings on the fly, per footprint, or you can use Setup and User Preferences, select Drafting and change them permanently here under USER but then select USER for Environment under the Design tab.

James