PCB cad that can output 3D data

Does anyone know of any PCB cad software that can export the PCB as a 3D file to for example SolidWorks? That woud decrease design time alot.

MrEd

MrEd said:

Does anyone know of any PCB cad software that can export the PCB as a 3D file to for example SolidWorks? That woud decrease design time alot.

MrEd

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try with this.I am using wiith Solidedge and Solidworks

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Well i think CircuitWorks is the default tranlator for this
you can get an evaluation copy from their site
Worth giving a serious look
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You may simply open PowerPCB Asc file into SolidWorks

You can investigate if the 3D module of Cad*star 6 can...

To expand on gigionerospo's comment, Cadstar 5 onwards and Cadstar3D appear to do this. There are also external .IDF interfaces to allow interactivity to Autocad etc.

However, it all depends upon how much you are prepared to spend.

And to correct myself, you only need Cadstar and AutoCad to do this.

CADPCB said:

MrEd said:

Does anyone know of any PCB cad software that can export the PCB as a 3D file to for example SolidWorks? That woud decrease design time alot.

MrEd

Click to expand...

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try with this.I am using wiith Solidedge and Solidworks

**broken link removed**

Click to expand...

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this tools is 1700 US and makes assembly by himself.you just watch the screen .

I tried Protel and the 3D view function is very nice but there doesn't seem to be any way to export that file more then graphically. A real pity. I haven't tried the new DXP version but I can't find any info about 3D exporting on their website. A real pity they haven't included that.

I have also tried the Cadstar5 3D part and unfortunately my PC hangs while outputting the file so I haven't managed to export a 3D file yet. I have also heard from different sources that the Cadstar5 version was very buggy so I didn't want to get on that train. Maybe version6 is better but I haven't managed to find the 3D part yet to try it out. Anyone got any leads?

I would prefer the PCB software to output the 3D file directly so I don't have to go via converter programs. The power of the PC's are here but the PCB software companies seems to be lagging behind. Since I learnt SolidWorks decently I will never draw a 2D drawing again.

Cheers guys
MrEd

P*otel 2004 has an IDF and IGES export mode, and you can now specify your own 3d models. works pretty well, you can import the IDF file into solidworks easily.

Sygenics