I have been able to successfully bring in my 3d models to create an assembly in SW. My question is: Is there a way, when editing a part to be stored into your circuitworks component library, to mate or constrain this part to a pcb surface. Then save it off to the library. This way when you select build model from CW, the assembly is created and the parts are not only as the same x,y coordinates as the pcb layout but the parts are already constrained to the pcb. When I do this now, the parts are in the correct x,y coordinate but if I go to move it and now look at the assembly from a side view, the part is elevated in free space, not still mated to the pcb. I am successful in mating parts to the pcb after the assembly is built but I would like to be able to create the mate or constraint when creating the model. Right now when we create or download the parasolid model we change the global origin to whatever it is in the pcb decal. I would also like to create the constraint at this time as well. Is there anyway of doing this?
Thanks
HS
Hello Mr Stone,
When you have a model downloaded with a different orientation and location of the x,y,and z cordinates you can set and save offsets in the component library.
You can change this by selecting the component in the library, RMB choose edit component. Now you can set offsets and save them by clicking ok( green V button)
Because you store this in the Library you only have to do this once for the component.
If you set Fix components in place in SolidWorks from the Circuitworks options-> Solidworks import Menu on ok the components will all be fixed in place after importing.
This is the way I work with it and it works fine for me. I don't know if it is possible to automaticly create distance mates which you can edit later.
We are not working that way because if our developers change the PCB layout I generate a new 3D board.
With regards
Joop