IDF file to STEP output

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mfontana
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IDF file to STEP output

Post by mfontana »

I am using a different PCB capture program other than KiCAD and I generated the IDF files (*.EMN, *EMP) which I was able to import into FreeCad with no issues. I need to exchange the wireframe outlines for vendor provided STEP models but I don't understand how to do this. Can anyone provide me with a step by step process for doing this? I did install the PCB addon.
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thomas-neemann
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Re: IDF file to STEP output

Post by thomas-neemann »

mfontana wrote: Wed Aug 10, 2022 4:29 pm ...
can you upload an example file somewhere?
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jeffery.jh
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Re: IDF file to STEP output

Post by jeffery.jh »

In fact I also have the same question.
I use PADS to do the Sch&PCB design.
When finished PCB design, use PADS export emp&emn files of the PCB.
Generally speaking, it is a LED Panel Board, and I have the stp file from the LED vendor.
I want to use the stp file to instead the LED componts. I found someone said to use footprints_models.csv, but unfortunately it is no use.
The files show as the attachments and the freecad shows as the picture. My freecad version is 0.20
led panel.7z
emn, emp files
(1.45 KiB) Downloaded 80 times
1.JPG
1.JPG (148.52 KiB) Viewed 1396 times
Attachments
footprints_models.csv
(57 Bytes) Downloaded 13 times
LM561C.stp
(167.48 KiB) Downloaded 15 times
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thomas-neemann
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Re: IDF file to STEP output

Post by thomas-neemann »

jeffery.jh wrote: Tue Aug 23, 2022 3:34 am ...
I can't find the freecad file shown
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jeffery.jh
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Re: IDF file to STEP output

Post by jeffery.jh »

thomas-neemann wrote: Tue Aug 23, 2022 4:52 am
jeffery.jh wrote: Tue Aug 23, 2022 3:34 am ...
I can't find the freecad file shown
Sorry, forgot to attach the freecad file.
Please see the attachment.
Thanks
Attachments
LED_Panel.FCStd
(125.37 KiB) Downloaded 11 times
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thomas-neemann
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Re: IDF file to STEP output

Post by thomas-neemann »

jeffery.jh wrote: Tue Aug 23, 2022 7:25 am ...
should these elements
Bildschirmfoto_2022-08-23_09-35-15.png
Bildschirmfoto_2022-08-23_09-35-15.png (5.6 KiB) Viewed 1327 times
in the fcstd file be replaced by the step file?
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jeffery.jh
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Re: IDF file to STEP output

Post by jeffery.jh »

thomas-neemann wrote: Tue Aug 23, 2022 7:36 am
jeffery.jh wrote: Tue Aug 23, 2022 7:25 am ...
should these elements

Bildschirmfoto_2022-08-23_09-35-15.png

in the fcstd file be replaced by the step file?
yes, all the 84 LEDs be replaced by the stp file
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thomas-neemann
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Re: IDF file to STEP output

Post by thomas-neemann »

jeffery.jh wrote: Tue Aug 23, 2022 10:28 am ...
I would do it this way

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf0DM23AUvM

phpBB [video]
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jeffery.jh
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Re: IDF file to STEP output

Post by jeffery.jh »

thomas-neemann wrote: Tue Aug 23, 2022 11:39 am
jeffery.jh wrote: Tue Aug 23, 2022 10:28 am ...
I would do it this way

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf0DM23AUvM

phpBB [video]
Thanks for your help. It works well in this case.
It really helps me a lot so that I can do further simulation with it.
However, the method has limitations, it needs the components be placed in regulation.
For most common situation, all the components are placed randomly. The method can not work.
For example, the attachment shows another project.
D.7z
(186.59 KiB) Downloaded 11 times
A lot of R0402 resistors (R15/R16/R17/R18 and so on) need to be replaced by R0402.stp
MOS_PMOS_IRLML6402_SOT23 (Q32/Q33/Q34 and so on) need to be replaced by SOT23.STEP
C0402HMM55 (C16/C19/C21 and so on) need to be replaced by C0402.stp
C0805H1MM65 (C17/C18/C20 and so on) need to be replaced by C0805.stp
So I want to use footprints map to solve it.
As far as I know, Pro/E has ecad hint file to map ECAD & MCAD file.
Is there anything like it in freecad?
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easyw-fc
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Re: IDF file to STEP output

Post by easyw-fc »

IDF importer has a file .CSV to configure the substitution...
it should work, but it is ages I don't use it
Here a forum thread
https://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic. ... 60#p206260
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