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Altium CircuitStudio
Altium CircuitStudio Forum I can't get step file export of circular board outline
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I can't get step file export of circular board outline

tkjaktl
tkjaktl over 6 years ago

There must be something I'm doing wrong.  Looking for help, I need to import .step file into SolidWorks for assembly drawing.

Thanks.

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  • tkjaktl
    tkjaktl over 6 years ago in reply to clem57 +1
    It states at the end of the article that the board shape is not exported. Only placed objects.
  • tkjaktl
    tkjaktl over 6 years ago in reply to tkjaktl +1
    This somewhat renders the exporting feature quite useless. The important features of the PCB assembly, in a higher-level assembly, are its shape, its mounting holes, as well as the component profiles.
  • adamwebber
    0 adamwebber over 6 years ago

    I'm not entirely certain what you are missing.  Could you provide more information?

     

    I am having no problems exporting step files from the PCB.  If you are trying to export the board outline, I don't think it will work.  Exporting step files only exports 3D objects such as the PCB and components.  It does not appear to export copper layers, traces, pads, solder layers or overlays.

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  • tkjaktl
    0 tkjaktl over 6 years ago in reply to adamwebber

    I'm trying to get an export which shows the PCB itself, mounting holes, components as assembled.  This PCB is round.  What I get is a rectangular output, it does show the holes which are coincidentally electrical pads and heatsink conductors, but not NPTH mounting holes.

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  • clem57
    0 clem57 over 6 years ago in reply to tkjaktl

    Board Shape | Online Documentation for Altium Products <- describes the shape you wish such as circular.

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  • tkjaktl
    0 tkjaktl over 6 years ago in reply to clem57

    It states at the end of the article that the board shape is not exported.  Only placed objects.

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  • tkjaktl
    0 tkjaktl over 6 years ago in reply to tkjaktl

    This somewhat renders the exporting feature quite useless.  The important features of the PCB assembly, in a higher-level assembly, are its shape, its mounting holes, as well as the component profiles.

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    • Vote Up +1 Vote Down
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  • tarribred61
    0 tarribred61 over 6 years ago in reply to tkjaktl

    Hi,

     

    Why can't you export a complex shape with arcs and curves?  I don't have any problems doing this.

     

    Here is a screen shot showing the PCB in 3D mode along side the step model I generated from it.

     

    I don't get copper but do get the holes and the shape and the complex and simple 3D models.  I'm sure a circular board would work also.

     

     

     

    image

    In 2D mode you only get the rectangle.

    image

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  • tarribred61
    0 tarribred61 over 6 years ago in reply to tarribred61

    Here is the same board after I changed shape to circular.

    image

    The DC power jack has two NPTH for alignment and they also work.

    image

    Here is the configuration I used.

    image

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  • tarribred61
    0 tarribred61 over 5 years ago in reply to tarribred61

    Sorry to resurrect an old thread here but recently this problem has come up again and I wanted to link the two issues for future reference.

     

    https://www.element14.com/community/message/296563/l/circuit-studio-step-export-still-fails-to-output-pcb#296563

     

    This issue of step file generation of a circular board was reproduced by a simple PCB shape as mentioned in the above thread link and a possible workaround is there.

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