This script intended to generate Solidwork 3D model of the PCB from PCB Fab drawing files (Drill, Gerber, 3D-BOM...) or KiCad PCBNew file (.brd file only).

History & HowItWork

• macros/kicad_to_solidwork
  This script were first developed for generated 3D model from KiCad 4.0.0 version where PCBNew were using .brd file. The script was reading following layers:

  • PCB Edge Layer: Line, Arc, Circle for constructing the base PCB Outline, and pickup drilling hold infomation.
  • Top and Bottom Silk Layer: Line/DS, Circle/DC, T0 (Reference), T1 (Value), and Text objects for reconstruct silk screen layer
  • Top and Bottom Cooper Layer: Text objects for reconstruct onto PCB
  • Component location, angle, and it's 3D models. The VRML file will also coarsely converted into Solidwork native format.

• macros/gerber_to_solidwork
  This script were developed after realization that KiCad changed their file formats.There was also a need to created Solidwork model for PCB created from difference programs. So choosing a set of standard fabrication file that most PCB software generated to send to PCB manufacture. These files were seem to be Gerber, Drill, Component position, and BOM files. However, 3D-BOM file would be more useful for place the 3D model of component into Solidwork. The VRML 3D file will coarsely converted into Solidwork native model.

• All to conversion start with sketch of a interesting layer or objects. Then extruded them into a 3D shape/feature. Also, because of this, it is hard to create a sketch from Copper layer that can be extruded without Solidwork complaints.

Intruction to import script into Solidwork

• Solidwork -> Tools -> Macro -> New..
• Chose macro name of your choice, and press on Save
• MS Visual Basic -> File -> Import File.. (Ctrl+M shortcut) to import all files in macros/libs, and either macros/gerber_to_solidwork or macros/kicad_to_solidwork files.
• Now you should able to run macro from Solidwork -> Tools -> Macro -> Run menu

3D BOM Format

• It take a CSV file as a table with following header:

  References, any-,  Scale , Offset , Rotation, 3DModel File Path
            ,thing, X, Y, Z, X, Y, Z, X, Y, Z ,(STEP; VMRL; SLDPRT)
  

  Path to 3D Model file can be:
  • Relative path to where the CSV file located
  • file extension are optional, can be left out

Know Issues

• If Gerber for PCB Edge did not enclosed, or have repeated drawing overlap may make Solidwork not happy to extrue sktech into feature. When this happend, the script will save the sketch, and continue on. The saved sketch, can be manually correct/edited and extruded.