New device in Managed lib

[Anonymous]

in short, what is the best way to update my current design?

I am a grad student trying to finish my thesis which relied heavily on generating images and diagrams of my pcb design. I am building a full device, complete with case design, so I have been using the ecadio script to build 3d models I can then use in Fusion 360.

However, now that Autodesk is trying to integrate Eagle and Fusion (I think is great by the way), I am stuck not being able to update my models.

I have some last minute changes that I am trying to reflect for my thesis, but it seems support for the ecadio script is down. Therefore I am forced to sync my pcb with Fusion in the way Autodesk would like. Not convenient, but it shouldn't be that big of a deal.... Instead, I am facing several road blocks I am hoping someone can help with.

I currently have a pcb full of devices from random libraries which do not contain accurate 3D models (generic blocks). I need to get them to reflect what the components actually look like. I have all 3D models thanks to previous downloads through ecadio, but I need to map this geometry to the devices in the library.

I have gone about this two different ways and run into issues.

1) I create a managed library from the small custom library I use for the unique / non-standard parts in my pcb deign. I have successfully uploaded STEP files and linked them to components that were in the library when I converted it to a managed library.

The real issue comes in when trying to produce 3D models for the other components not located in my custom library. For instance, I am using two different Atmel microcontrollers with the TQFP-32 package. The 3D version of this online is a block, but I have a STEP file that is accurate. I tried importing the devices into my custom lib through the Eagle software, but anything I add through Eagle (devices, models, etc) does not get reflected on the web. I cannot find a way to update / refresh the web view, nor a way to add devices to the lib via the web interface. Additionally, the only way to add a custom STEP file is to an existing device via web interface. Therefore, I reached a dead end.

2) The second method is to convert every library I use in my design to managed, which seems daunting. Of course, there are several components in each library I do not use, so converting many large libs to only update a couple components seems unnecessary. However, for the sake of finishing my thesis, I am willing. When trying this method, I converted the Atmel lib so I could update the microcontrollers I use. Indeed the conversion took several minutes, but then trying to view it on the web caused the loading of the interface to fail (took too long).

 Does anyone have insight here? I am hoping I am doing all of this incorrectly, or I am missing some steps in configuring the link between Fusion and Eagle because this is difficult

[jorge_garcia · Accepted solution]

Hello @Anonymous,

Welcome to our forums! I'm sorry to hear of the difficult situation you are in. Ecad.io is temporarily down, we hope to have it back up within the week. If you can wait the week, I would say that is your best option since it is always risky to modify your workflow mid project.

If you can't wait that long then I would say to go with option 1. When you copy parts to your managed library in EAGLE, you want to save the library. In EAGLE at the top of the library editor window you'll see something that says Version x + Edits. That last part lets you know that you have uncommitted changes that aren't on the cloud yet. To commit them, in the library editor click Library > Create New version. This will upload your changes to the cloud and you will now be able to assign models to those parts you just added to your library.

It is very important that you update your design to use the managed library you created. Otherwise the models won't be used. See steps 1-5 on this youtube playlist to get an idea of what you need to do. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd9Jv8T04eE&list=PL1rOC5j_Fyi6B0wRJw2GAVEjE_dNR7rlK

Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

Best Regards,

[Anonymous]

Jorge,

Thanks for the quick reply. Moving in the right direction, but not quite there.

I can possibly wait a week (my defense is in 2), but I would like to be sure I have a path getting this done should ecadio be delayed longer than expected.

I followed your suggestion with option 1, and I was able to commit the changes made in Eagle to the web. That was missing from my previous attempts. However, now when going into the lib on the web to add the correct geometry, it does not give me the option to edit the package. That option is there for my custom parts that were there when I converted the lib to managed, but not for the new components.

Any suggestions?

[jorge_garcia]

Hi @Anonymous,

Are those new components you copied from EAGLE's default libraries? Anything from EAGLE's built in libraries has to be modified in order to be editable. If you can post an image that will help me and other forum users guide you.

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

Best Regards,