This dialog is used to graphically select and position a STEP model for a footprint or PCB Doc Symbol in their respective Symbol Editors. It sets up the appropriate attributes in the symbol ready for use in the design.
Why this dialog is used
Pulsonix uses attributes to tie Footprints (and PCB Doc Symbols) to STEP models supplied by manufacturers. The models may use different origins and rotations to the footprints, these can mapped using the STEP Offset and STEP Rotation attributes. This dialog provides the functionality to graphically position and rotate these models, and then apply the attributes to the footprint (or PCB Doc Symbols).
Because of the differences in alignment and rotation of the original STEP model created by manufacturers, many Pulsonix customers prefer to reset these values to zero, zero (0,0) using a mechanical CAD product such as FreeCAD. When the STEP model is then tied to the footprint or symbol, the alignment and rotation is correct. This also applies to models that have their origin outside of the model; it is better to position this with the model boundary.
When to use this dialog
To use this dialog, you will be editing the footprint or Doc symbol that requires a STEP model to be associated with it.
Important - Before using this dialog
There are two settings that control how the system can align models; they can be aligned by Centre and by Origin. However, the setting must be consistent between the footprint creation and when the footprint and model are used in the design.
You should ensure that when your footprint appears in the design, the bounding box remains the same as when viewed in the footprint editor. Different Technology files and layers that may not be included in the design but were used in the original footprint creation can affect the model positioning. Ideally, you should always use STEP Model Alignment by Origin but ensure this is done system wide for all editors.
More information about this can be found on Design Settings General Model Alignment
Shortcuts
Default Keys: None
Default Menu: 3D Design
Command: Position STEP Model
Locating this option
Available from: 3D Design menu > Position STEP Model option (in the Footprint Editor or PCB Doc Symbol Editor)
How to use Position STEP Model
How to use this dialog
Edit the footprint required, and from within the Footprint editor select the Position STEP Model option from the 3D Design menu.
If the footprint or symbol already has a model name, positioning or rotation attributes defined, their values will be used for the initial settings on opening the dialog.
Note, all units shown on this dialog are in your design units.
Symbol:
This is a fixed field and displays the name of the Footprint or Doc Symbol selected to associate the STEP model with.
STEP Model:
Use the drop down list at the top of the dialog to select the STEP filename that you want for this footprint or symbol if it does not already have the correct model file. The chosen model will be drawn in the preview window in relation to the footprint. The listed presented will be use models found in the STEP Models Folder.
If the STEP model is in the position required with the correct rotation etc. press the OK to save it.
View
The View menu can be used to control the viewing angle of the preview, similarly to the 3D View Orientation toolbar seen in the 3D Viewer. Seven different orientation settings are available to help you view the symbol and its model from predefined directions.
Tool
The Tools drop down list can be used to access tools available to help you position the model correctly in relation to the footprint or symbol.
From this menu you can access Align, Orient and Rotate commands. These options act the same as they do in the main 3D Viewer of the whole design.
Note: both View and Tools menu, and the controls used for positioning and rotating the model, will be disabled (greyed out) if you have not selected a model file name from the STEP Model drop-down list.
Other controls on the dialog
If the model is not in the correct position, use the offset edit controls to move the model in relation to footprint. Offset controls are available for X, Y or Z positions.
By default the offset controls will increment by 0.1, if you want this to be finer type in a smaller value in the Increment edit control.
Use the Rotation edit controls to rotate the model in the X, Y or Z axis if the orientation is incorrect.
Once you are happy with the positioning select OK and the attributes will be added to the symbol.
Colours
The Colours button invokes the STEP Colours Dialog from which you can change the colours of (for instance) the background and the wire frame mode.
Rotation Order
It is important to note the way in which the STEP Model rotation is calculated. Rather than relying on the STEP Model current local rotation, it’s rotation is recalculated on each change. In this process, any rotational steps are calculated on the Z axis first, followed by any rotation on the Y axis, and finally by any rotation on the X axis.
For example - if you set the value of X=45 and Y=90 then it should apply the 45 degree rotation in X first and then rotate 90 degrees in Y. However, when the model is redrawn after typing in both rotations it has rotated first in the Y and then in the X, which gives a different result than it would if X was rotated first (the order of rotation is important).
STEP Model Attributes
Once OK has been pressed, at any point, you can confirm the name of the STEP model selected by either entering the Position STEP Model dialog or by selecting the Design Properties option from the Edit menu.
STEP Model Enclosures
From the STEP Enclosures page on the 3D View Settings dialog, when using the New button, you can use the Position STEP Model dialog to position enclosures on the PCB. This functions the same way as positioning a STEP model but the PCB is displayed instead of the footprint.
Related Topics
Align | Orient | Rotate | Output STEP | STEP Enclosures | STEP Models Folder | Design Settings STEP Model Alignment