Installation problems?

[Anonymous]

I have problems getting FreeCad PCB working correctly and I thing it is a installation problem.

1) Downloaded and installed FreeCad 0.16
2) Downloaded PCB.7z
- Extracted content to FreeCad 0.16 installation directory under "Mod"
3) Downloaded Models_4.7z
- Extracted content to "c:\programData\freecad\pcb\parts".
- Opened PCBconf.py and added the path above.

4) Started FreeCad and performed the GUI adjustments I found in the manual (setting workbench, and toolbars).
5) Imported Kicad pcb.

Now things are going a bit complicated.
PCB are imported propery but no component 3D models are imported.
I cant assign any 3D model to the parts on the PCB. I can perform all steps, but they never shows up.

Can onyone help,, getting frustrated here....

[Mariusz]

Hi,
1. Ok
2. Download version from the github
3. Download all the zip files from [sourceforge] (https://sourceforge.net/projects/eaglepcb2freecad/files/models/). Each archiv contains different parts
Letter: [Models] (https://sourceforge.net/p/eaglepcb2freecad/forum/3dmodels/)

Do not edit nothing in PCBconf.py. Subfolder 'Part' is the default folder, so if you put parts there, you do not have to change anything. All settings you can set Directly in FreeCAD -> Edit -> Preferences -> PCB and PCB in workbench - funcion 'Assign models'

1. Ok
2. Ok

Check all above steps and privileges to reading and writing for pcb folder.

[Anonymous]

okay..
I have done the following:
1) Downloaded all model files (1..4)
2) Extractacted to ../mod/PCB/parts. ( I am not so happy having them in the install directory)
3) Removed my "patch" from configuration file.
4) Checked read/write permissions on ../mod/PCB, ok

then ....
a) Started up FreeCad.
b) Opened a small KiCad design. I loaded nicely,, empty pcb appeared in the window.
c) In the left pane, I selected a component in the parts treeview.
d) Right Click, then PCB model ->assign model
e) Copied "package typte" name. PINHEAD1-4
f) In the treeview to the left I selected goldpins - 1x04
g) to the right I klicked on the + sign (greeen) and added PINHEAD1-4 as package name and KiCad from dropdown list. Then clicked add.

h) Cklicked save on Assign Model dialog , and closed dialog.
i) Selected my component in the treeview , Right Click -> Pcb Model -> Update Model
j) In the task panel, clicked OK.

NOTHING ... :)
So,,, what am I missing?

btw,, I am running windows 10.
//lg

[Mariusz]

Hi,
it is required to download version from github (this is not the same version like on sourceforge). Secondly you can move your parts where you want, new path you can add in FreeCAD -> Edit -> Preferences -> PCB.

I think that the problem is sitting somewhere else. Open subfolder 'parts/connectors/goldpins' and delete file 1x04.col. Then try one more time.

[Anonymous]

Hi,,
My problems how I extracted my models.
I newer expanded the parts directory so it looked like this:
.../mod/PCB/parts/model_1/....
/model_2/..

When I removed the "model_x" level in the parts hiearcy it started to work.

Thanks for all help.

//lg

[Mariusz]

Hi,
you can always check if script sees your model. Open window 'assing models', choose model you want to check and click Edit button (next to 'Path to element'). There you will find a button 'check paths'. Not existing models/path will be automatically checked and marked (red color).