How do I use the " Link To Generic 3D Model " functionality in CircuitStudio

Have you setup your model paths?

http://documentation.circuitstudio.com/display/CSTU/PCB_Dlg-3DBody((3D+Body))_CS

Yes, I did (see below video).  No change, still greyed out.

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RE: How do I use the " Link To Generic 3D Model " functionality in CircuitStudio

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I have the same problem, I have down loaded a Model from https://rs.componentsearchengine.com/  or samasys and the 3d model came in with the footprint.

Unfortunately the model is not positioned in the correct place.

     a Molex connector.

I'm evaluating CircuitStudio as it says it supports 3d parts.

But there seems to be no way to link to a 3d model and move it into position.

The models downloaded above Embed the model, but you cannot manually move and position the part into the correct place. It wrong on the default parts.

This is the whole point of using this tool. Whys this so hard?

OR is it me not understanding the tool well enough.

I cannot find any docs on this.

Has anybody worked out how to add 3d models(.step) to a part footprint and move it arround with the mouse.

I know this is possible in Altium Designer.

Thanks

Lee

Place the 3D object.

In 2D mode, double-click on it - a dialog pops up, use the X-Y-Z axis rotation angle setings to position the body.

I think your question may be answered but if not then I'm not sure if your question is about moving or link vs. embedding.

Typically I prefer to embed the model rather than link to a file. The difference is that with a link, the step file remains separate and needs to be reachable.  I have found it to be a problem when copying the design if the linked file does not get copied.  If it is embedded in the library then the original step file is no longer needed.

As for moving parts in the design space, CS only allows moving in 2D mode as already mentioned.  I believe that AD allows movement and positioning in 3D mode and that might confuse some users who use or have used AD in the past.  In 2D mode you can move the shape (rectangle) but must move the height by numeric entry or using the menus for positioning.  Adding snap points help.  Based on a quick Google search I didn't find any CS tutorials for positioning 3D parts but you might review some of the AD tutorials and experiment with that knowledge.  Though for some people this will be an unsatisfactory solution and I can't disagree.

I have down loaded a wurth part and it's 3d model. In fact all wurth model seem to do simular things.

When I embed the 3d model is says it meshing but sits there for ever.

I left it 24 hours and it did not return.

It take less than a minute on altium designer at work to do this.

I think this is a crash.

Anyone seen this before?

Thanks

Getting no response from Altiumsupport@farnell.com

For what it is worth, even in AD you cannot link the generic step model to a library.

Described here: https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/pcb-obj-3dbody3d-body-ad?version=18.1

You can link to a 3D step file if you put it on the PCB instead of in a library.  CS does not have a dedicated command to place a 3D part on the directly on the PCB but you can do it by going to the search window and typing place 3D.  That should pop up the selection box to choose the model.

Just tried it with the step model of the part downloaded from Digikey and it placed just fine onto a PCB.

Yes, but if you try to embed this model into your own footprint it crashes. You say you made it work but I often get a meshing crash on 3D imports.

It was a more generic question for 3D parts, not just the worth INT library down load.

i.e if you have your own 3D model and your own PCB, some 3D models cause crashes with it saying meshing and it never comes back.

Support did raise a ticket on this for me but had no response.

This is worrying as if you do your own 3D parts, its hit and miss if you can add a 3D model.

Thanks for trying, Lee

Hello Lee,

So, I went back and downloaded the Wurth switch from Digikey again and successfully embedded it into a PCB library part without any problem.  Given some recent posts about issues with graphics drivers, I wonder if the mesh problems you report are related to a subtle graphics driver problem.