How to turn on 3D view?

[Anonymous]

Hello there,

How to turn on the 3D view of the PCB in Eagle? I have only found a way to export a DXF model so far.

[StefanMetz]

Hi,

Eagle does not have 3D PCB. But you can do it with Eagleup export and Sketchup. And also with rendering.

Or with IDF to 3D, but this must beb paid.

[Anonymous]

But if you cannot view the 3D item, how can you assign step model to a footprint when creating one?

[rachaelATWH4]

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@Anonymous wrote:

But if you cannot view the 3D item, how can you assign step model to a footprint when creating one?

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EAGLE is a PCB layout tool, not a 3D modelling tool and currently does not support a 3D board view. I'm sure it will in future as Autodesk own Fusion360 and there is an obvious advantage of enabling getting your board into there (and their other tools) as easily as possible. You could upload your board to ecad.io, or there are other exports which you can do to get board into an actual 3D modelling tool as mentioned in the previous reply. On the Mac I have used one called Copper which does a pretty good job and takes EAGLE brd files as its input.

Best Regards,

Rachael

[Anonymous]

I understand but I dont get how do you introduce 3d models to the components? I get that you cannot view 3D objects in eagle and you can only export your PCB. But how to make 3D components, so you have anything to export apart from naked PCB board? There are no instructions on the Autodesk Eagle site or whatsoever. One can only see this 3D animation on main site and wonder how does it work...

Or for example this descriptive feature: https://www.autodesk.com/products/eagle/features/pcb-libraries/3d-models

Its just weird that Kicad has a lot better documentation.

[rachaelATWH4 · Accepted solution]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I understand but I dont get how do you introduce 3d models to the components? I get that you cannot view 3D objects in eagle and you can only export your PCB. But how to make 3D components, so you have anything to export apart from naked PCB board? There are no instructions on the Autodesk Eagle site or whatsoever. One can only see this 3D animation on main site and wonder how does it work...

Or for example this descriptive feature: https://www.autodesk.com/products/eagle/features/pcb-libraries/3d-models

Its just weird that Kicad has a lot better documentation.

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I assume that link you gave above is what happens when you use the MCAD button in the menubar and upload the current board to ecad.io. In there you can assign 3D models to parts and export a STEP of the board for viewing in Fusion360. When you hit the button in the layout window you get a popup that explains it:

I've never used this so your guess is a good as mine as to what happens beyond this screen.

Best Regards,

Rachael

[Anonymous]

I understand, thanks for your explanation. Seems like there is a long way ahead of Eagle.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Or for example this descriptive feature: https://www.autodesk.com/products/eagle/features/pcb-libraries/3d-models

Its just weird that Kicad has a lot better documentation.

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That's a good question, what is the deal with that feature description? What does it even mean, given that Eagle doesn't support 3D models natively?

[jorge_garcia]

Hi justynb,

That's a snapshot of the ecad.io solution that Rachael mentioned earlier. It's not native to EAGLE, but as our integration with Fusion360 gets closer to being complete, EAGLE will begin to understand some 3D data.

Our website isn't meant to be the source for EAGLE's documentation. The Manual and built-in help are, however I agree that this feature overview could use some more information.

I'll let our website manager know, to see if we can add some details.

Best Regards,

[Anonymous]

Is there any estimated time in which a fully operational 3D feature will be implemented in Eagle? I mean placing step models in PCB library components and viewing the board in 3D within the program.

[jorge_garcia]

Hi bremenpl,

I hope you're doing well today. Here's the estimate: very soon. 😉 In all seriousness, the ECAD<>MCAD integration is something that is being very actively worked on. We should see the fruit of that labor very soon.

The only caveat is that the 3D view happens in Fusion360 and not within EAGLE. Once you try it, I don't think you'll mind.

Let me know if there's anything else I can do for you.

Best Regards,

[Anonymous]

There is a serious drawback from not being able to integrate 3D model at
library pcb component creation time. I need to pick the right PCB tool for
some futher years of work, and I would just like to know either this
feature is developed. Imo switching between 2d and 3d view when pcb
developing is essential.

[jorge_garcia]

Hi Bremenpl,

You'll see this for yourself soon enough, but your concern has been addressed already in regards to 3D model assignment in the library. Thank you for the suggestion, it lets us know we are moving in the right direction.

Our goal with this integration is to allow you to transition seamlessly between both worlds.

Let me know if there's anything else I can do for you.

Best Regards,

[edwin.robledo]

Hi bremenpl,

Your participation on the EAGLE forum is greatly appreciated.

I am of the opinion that a 3D render needs to serve a mechanical solution. 

I think it would be best for EAGLE can interact in real-time with a mechanical tool such as Fusion360 instead of only having a PCB 3D viewer.

Best Regards,

Ed

[Anonymous]

Thank you for answers. Coming from an Altium environment tightly coupled with mechanical CAD enviroment (for example SolidWorks) makes me state that 3D is essential for good workflow of overall project. It is good to hear that this is considered in Eagle, thank you.

[curtisray]

Hi bremenpl,

I'm also from Altium environment and appreciate your comment. I'm only four hours in to the new Eagle but have hundreds of hours on Altium, Solidworks and Fusion 360. The strategy to fit the mechanical design with the layout is so critical in small wearables and small high speed transceivers that it is number one in most of the projects I'm on. So far I'm liking what Autodesk is doing! A msee friend just learned Fusion360 on my recommendation and loves it. Stay with it!!!

[havlicek6TH3H]

Hi,

so if I understand discussion above. The only free way (no other software - Fusion etc) to see the 3D model of board based on managed libraries with models is via ecad.io (without Fusion 360)?

[jorge_garcia]

Hi @havlicek6TH3H,

That is correct, at least for now. 🙂

Let me know if there's anything else I can do for you.

Best Regards,

[Anonymous]

Yes, judging by the answers so far, everything is sad in this direction: (
3D view of the board is just necessary exactly in the Eagle itself in the Altium, it is very well implemented and allows you to see what happens in the end.

[Anonymous]

I am still following the topic and I have to say I am also disappointing that the 3D feature is being implemented as an "workaround" instead of a native feature like in Altium Designer.