Resuse existing 3D package for a footprint in another library

[Red_Ant_Engineering]

I have separate library files for the different customers I do designs for, but there is a bit of overlap between the two in terms of passives, etc.  So, when I used Eagle, I'd just copy my main library over to the customers library so I didn't have to reinvent things for all those sort of components, then add the customer specific ones as I completed new designs

I've now started with Fusion360, and am adding 3D packages to all the components as I go in each of my customers libraries, but would like to know if there is an easy way for me to reuse the 3D package I created, for example, for a 0603 capacitor in one library, for the same device in another library.

Or do I have to start from scratch each time?

Or do I have to re-create new 3D packages for all the footprints in my other library.

[RichardHammerl]

Hi @Red_Ant_Engineering ,

thank you for your participation in the Fusion Electronics Forum and for your question. 

Indeed, there are options to re-use 3D packages. You do not have to create them all again and again. 🙂 

One way to add a new package to a library or to change an already existing footprint/package is to open the library file and go to the Device you want to add a 3D package for. In the Device editor you see the list of package variants. 

This is what I marked in the image with the red box.

With a right mouse click you invoke the context menu that gives you several options for the variants. 

Choose for example "Add local Package": Now the preview window (marked with a green box) opens. You could choose one of these options. These are packages that are already used in the library with other devices. 

If you would like to use packages from other libraries, click the Import button.

You could also use the "Add from web" option in the context menu. This gives you access to a large number of 3D packages. In the image below I searched for LED in the "Public Packages". You mentioned that you previously worked with EAGLE. In case you created your own or uploaded 3D models to library.io, you will have access to them in the "My Packages" tab. 

I hope this helps.

Best regards,