How to change ONLY the 3D model for a part variant

[jesper8W75R]

I have a device called TESTPAD, it contains a number of various diameter holes as well as solder pads.
I have never really figured out how to remove or replace a 3D model for a part (or part variant).
But now, I need to get to the bottom of this.

 Here's the device with it's variants. I have made an "invisible" 3D component for the SOLPAD_2 footprint and now want to replace the 3D models for all the other footprint variants to use the same.
But I cannot figure out how.
So, I try to use "Replace Package" which sounds like it will do exactly what I need.

 But, nooooo, of course not.

 This will replace BOTH footprint and package!
And I will get the dialog for mapping the pads, with the SOLPAD_2 footprint, saying "A different footprint is present in the device" OR, it will replace my footprint without further warning.
Why it sometimes does one thing and sometimes the other is a mystery.
Anyway, it is NOT possible to "Replace Package" as it says.

So, HOW do I do it?
It HAS to be possible to reuse the same package for several footprints, for instance all SOT23 or so.
Or, as I just need now, packages without a 3D representation.

Edit:

It seems the problem is because of the use of the term "Package" to refer to both footprint (PCB) AND package (3D model), in some places.
For instance, trying the above in a different way, I try to add my new solderpad I made with an "invisible" 3D package.
I use the usual "New" in the dialog and "Add Local Package" and that's where it kinda breaks.
Now, package is suddenly BOTH footprint AND 3D model (which are normally what's being referred to as "package").
The confusion is total, and of course it doesn't work.

 

[jesper8W75R]

@jorge_garcia 

You must have missed this post, otherwise you would have answered. Right?
A year ago, stuff didn't work.
Latest versions, stuff still doesn't work.

[jorge_garcia]

Hi @jesper8W75R ,

You are correct this one slipped through the cracks. If you want to change the 3D model you don't do it through the device editor itself. I would recommend doing it from the content manager > device view.

All the variants will show up there.  So you can individually change the 3D models there. The device editor itself doesn't have the capability to alter the 3D model.

Let me know if this helps.

Best Regards,

[jesper8W75R]

I have, after many hours of pulling out my last hairs, been able to change a 3D model.
It was one that I had just created.
It is not possible to change one from an old library.
Also, it is not possible to DELETE one. Even though you just created it 3 seconds before.

No no. "Delete failed - libraty assed <NAME HERE> is in use"
SAY WHAT? Where is it being used? I just made it!
Either something is wrong there, or your error messages are unnecessarily cryptic.

And, that is where the REAL problems start.
I have LOTS of libraries from EAGLE, many with 3D models.
Even more parts have the default "box" 3D model, which I would of course like to replace.
All libraries I use, have been unlinked from the horrible Library.io.
Most are stored in Team now.
But, I cannot CHANGE the 3D model in these libraries without downloading the OLD model (which I don't want, because I want to CHANGE IT!).

And I cannot DELETE it, due to it being "In Use" !?!??!

WHY, @jorge_garcia , is it not possible to just discard a 3D model and make a new one without all this downloading of old crap and jumping through hoops.

Fusion is getting better, even I will admit that.
But the library handling still needs VERY much love and care. It still is HORRIBLE!

[jorge_garcia]

Hi @jesper8W75R ,

Thanks for the reply. Deletion in Fusion is a general issue and the platform team is working to address the way deletion works right now.

The issue you are having with the 3D models is known. The reality you are dealing with now is that you are not actually fully free from library.io. Even if you break the link to the original library.io library, the links to the individual models are preserved that's why you get the hoops. I've reported it to our library team and they agree that there needs to be a an easy way for a clean break from library.io if that's what the user wants to do.

I'll add this thread as evidence so that the ticket can be prioritized.

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

Best Regards,

[jesper8W75R]

@jorge_garcia , this doesn't quite add up.

My library was created in Fusion, I added my new 3D model in Fusion, and then couldn't delete it.

The library never was in touch with library.io (as far as I know, at least, maybe something happens under the blanket).

But in this case, I could edit the models, as they were in Fusion Team.
It is much worse than I cannot update existing libraries, even though I rip them out of library.io (I thought).
Maybe that explains why it is sometimes insanely slow to work with libraries.

I think you should give this library mess the HIGHEST priority.
Just look at the forums, search for add 3D model or change 3D model.
There's SO many who ask this, and in most cases, no (useful) answer.

I think I've said it several times before, but it cannot be repeated too often.
The Fusion Electronics library handling is horrible.
And that's an understatement, because I cannot swear here.

[jorge_garcia · Accepted solution]

Hi @jesper8W75R ,

Thanks for the feedback, to address your first comment, this deletion concern is tied directly to Fusion 360 and has nothing to do with library.io. Fusion 360 is extremely conservative when it comes to deletion, this is something that the greater Fusion organization is aware of and wants to address.

Libraries continue to be one of our top priorities for this year and you can see some of the improvements in the latest release with the new library manager and Place components experience. These help address the consumption aspect of using the libraries. We'll continue to work to get this to a point where it can delight our customers, instead of inspiring the feelings its inspiring. 😉

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

Best Regards,

[jesper8W75R]

Thank you, @jorge_garcia , I understand.
The deletion isn't really a problem, I just thought it would be a "workaround", as I could not edit a model without downloading it. And why would I download the "dummy" 3D boxes?

It all leads back to the other point, library handling, or to be more precise handling of the 3D packages.

The new Library manager is an improvement, although it lacks a few things that EAGLE had.
And, it sadly doesn't make it any easier to add/change 3D models.
I have a long list of bugs and issues with it, which I will put in other posts.

[jorge_garcia]

Hi @jesper8W75R ,

I hope you're doing well. The library manager and new consumption are just the beginning, there are many aspects to the library overhaul and they will continue to be addressed. We will get to the 3D model add/change workflows.

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

Best Regards,

[jonavark]

2024: Any progress on this? I have a part in a routed board that I want to add a 3d model to. A TL074. I can't figure out how to do that without ripping the part out and using a different part or.. something. ? I found a model, uploaded it, inserted it into current design.. but I can't see any way to continue from there to attach that model to an existing TL074 in my own library. Sorry if the question is not clear.

[AlinaPeng]

Hi @jonavark ,

I hope you're doing well. If you're interested in using a new 3d model for an existing part in your design, but prefer not to alter the original 3D Model in the library document, you might consider right-clicking the part in either the Schematic or 2D PCB file. From there, select "Add Custom 3D Model" and proceed to insert the model. Please note that this method only assigns the customised 3D model to the existing part in the current design. If you want to use the new 3d model in every design where you use the part, you'll need to change its 3D model in the library document.

[jonavark]

Thank you. I am trying to set the model in my custom library. I can not see how to do that. I made the part, added a footprint and I have a model but how do you add it to the part in an existing library? Shouldn't I be able to open the library, pick a footprint for a part , click on the empty model icon next to the footprint and add a model?

[AlinaPeng]

Hi @jonavark 

• If there's no 3d model associated with the existing footprint in the library document, I recommend you right-click on the footprint, select "Create New 3D Model" and insert the 3d model into it.

• If the footprint has a 3D model associated with it, you can right-click on its linked 3d model, select the "Edit" option, and then modify its 3d model in another document.

I hope it can answer your question. Please feel free to let me know if you need more help on this.

Best Regards,