Adding 3D patterns to Diptrace pcb designs - Tutorial
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2014 8:47 pm
Hey people.. So if you're like me and are fed up of the lack of available 3D patterns in Diptrace then this is a way I have found to import your own or already made 3D patterns.
Diptrace uses .WRL (Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML)) file extensions for it's 3D patterns:
WRL files are plain ASCII text files. A WRL file includes data specifying 3-D details such as vertices, edges for a 3-D polygon, surface color, image-mapped textures, light and reflection mapping, and transparency.
What you need to do:
I have found a website 3DContentCentral.com it is a website which as Free 2D and 3D CAD Models of User-Contributed and Supplier-Certified Parts. But you will have to register to the website to download the files. Use the search box to search for your required part/component, Once you have found the part/component that you require: For an example Pin header you will need to select the number of contacts (pins) you require etc and then click the "Validate" box to update the component for download, then select the file type from the drop down box under "Free CAD download" this is IMPORTANT you must make sure that the correct file type is selected, you want to select the "VRML" file type, then click download.. The image below shows the steps required for download.. Once you have the downloaded 3D pattern, unzip it and put the file into Diptrace, I would probably rename the file to something like Pin_Header_8pin (depending on you're pattern) but leave the file extension, this will help you find the part in Diptrace later.
The folder that you will need to put the 3D pattern in will be under the installed Diptrace folder usually:
C:\Program Files\DipTrace\models3d
Now in Diptrace you need to Import (refresh) the 3D folder so that Diptrace finds the new component/components.
Tools > 3D Preview > Patterns and Models Search Dialog box will open - All you need to do is click "OK" that is it! - the new component/components will be imported Now onto selecting the component.
Diptrace uses .WRL (Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML)) file extensions for it's 3D patterns:
WRL files are plain ASCII text files. A WRL file includes data specifying 3-D details such as vertices, edges for a 3-D polygon, surface color, image-mapped textures, light and reflection mapping, and transparency.
What you need to do:
I have found a website 3DContentCentral.com it is a website which as Free 2D and 3D CAD Models of User-Contributed and Supplier-Certified Parts. But you will have to register to the website to download the files. Use the search box to search for your required part/component, Once you have found the part/component that you require: For an example Pin header you will need to select the number of contacts (pins) you require etc and then click the "Validate" box to update the component for download, then select the file type from the drop down box under "Free CAD download" this is IMPORTANT you must make sure that the correct file type is selected, you want to select the "VRML" file type, then click download.. The image below shows the steps required for download.. Once you have the downloaded 3D pattern, unzip it and put the file into Diptrace, I would probably rename the file to something like Pin_Header_8pin (depending on you're pattern) but leave the file extension, this will help you find the part in Diptrace later.
The folder that you will need to put the 3D pattern in will be under the installed Diptrace folder usually:
C:\Program Files\DipTrace\models3d
Now in Diptrace you need to Import (refresh) the 3D folder so that Diptrace finds the new component/components.
Tools > 3D Preview > Patterns and Models Search Dialog box will open - All you need to do is click "OK" that is it! - the new component/components will be imported Now onto selecting the component.