Adding SnapEDA parts to my library

[jeremiahrose]

Hi there,

I have a custom electronics library in which I keep all the parts for my project.

I have a part on SnapEDA that I would like to add to my aforementioned library, including a symbol, footprint, and 3D model.

What is the quickest and easiest way to achieve this?

My current process is:

1. Download the symbol & footprint from SnapEDA as an Eagle library
2. Open the SnapEDA Eagle library in Fusion360 and save it to my project
3. In the schematic editor, add the part from the SnapEDA library to my board
4. Open my existing library in the library editor
5. Return to the schematic editor, right click on the added part and select "save to library", choosing my existing library
6. Delete the part from my schematic
7. Download the 3D .step file from SnapEDA
8. Open the .step file to Fusion and save it to my project
9. Go to the library editor, navigate to my new part, right click on the footprint and choose "Create package from footprint"
10. Locate the 3D model in my project directory and drag it into the 3D package editor
11. Re-orient the model so that it matches the footprint, and save
12. Save the library
13. Return to schematic editor and insert the part

Is this really the only way?

[Pieter.Jan.Van.de.Maele · Accepted solution]

Hi, great question! 

There's definitely some improvement possible here. Let's start off with the main culprit here which is that you don't have to place your part in the schematic (and then remove it afterwards) to add it to a library! Simply open the library you want to add the part to, choose "New Device" and select the "Import" option. Then go into the library manager, browse to the SnapEDA library and add it to your library index. From here, select the device you want to import. This will also import the footprint & symbol. 

For adding the 3D model, I find it usually faster to use the "upload" button on the data panel to upload the STEP file and then after "Create From Footprint" right click on the model in the data panel and choose "Insert Into Current Design". This allows me to context switch a bit less. 

Here are the steps I would recommend:

1. Download the symbol & footprint from SnapEDA as an Eagle library
2. Open the target library in Fusion Electronics
3. New Device > Import (and browse to SnapEDA library in library manager)
4. Download the 3D .step file from SnapEDA
5. Choose "Upload" from the data-panel and select the STEP model.
6. From to the library editor, navigate to my new part, right click on the footprint and choose "Create package from footprint"
7. From the data-panel, navigate to the 3D model and select "Insert Into Current Design" 
8. Re-orient the model so that it matches the footprint, and save
9. Save the library
10. Return to schematic editor and insert the part

Please let me know if you have any more questions!

[jeremiahrose]

In retrospect, it is actually much easier and cleaner to use the part directly from the library file that is provided by SnapEDA. It is really quick that way. So - upload the library file to your project folder, upload the step file, add a package to the part in the library and insert the step file, then add your part to your schematic directly from that library.
Much easier than copying parts from one library to another.

[Anonymous]

Hi  I am new to all this so please bear with me  I have downloaded / accessed SnapEDa but can only find the tool in the Design element of Fusion not in Electronics, can you help please? Secondly I cannot see a download to Library Option only Download  - which appears as a 3D model in a new drawing tab. 

I simply want to download the schematic for a number of components/connectors etc. and eventually create a PCB. All help appreciated

Thanks