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Working with 3D Bodies

Created: December 15, 2022 | Updated: December 15, 2022 | Applies to versions: 23, 24 and 25
Now reading version 23. For the latest, read: Working with 3D Bodies for version 25

A PCB component footprint completed with a 3D Body.
A PCB component footprint completed with a 3D Body.

A 3D body is a primitive design object that is used as a container into which a standard-format generic 3D model can be imported to represent the three-dimensional shape of the physical component that is mounted on the assembled PCB. The actual 3D shape is displayed when the editor is switched to 3D display mode (click View » 3D Layout Mode or press the 3 shortcut).

3D models are available from many component manufacturers and community websites. The following file formats are supported:

  • STEP – *.Stp and *.Step
  • SolidWorks parts – *.SldPrt
  • Parasolid Models – *.x_t and *.x_b

Placing 3D Body objects to define the components' shape allows you to get a real sense of the arrangement of the components on the assembled board. As well as being able to see what the finished board will look like, real-time 3D clearance checking can be performed, allowing component-to-component and component-to-housing collisions to be detected during the design stage.

A 3D Body is normally placed in the PCB footprint editor as part of the PCB footprint. The footprint defines the connection points and the area-of-board that the component occupies and is the minimum required for board design. The 3D Body is optional; it can be added to the footprint to define the envelope of the component that mounts on that footprint.

3D model support is not limited to components. It also can be used to import other mechanical detail such as a bracket or the finished enclosure. Import the enclosure directly into the PCB editor.

While placing generic 3D models is a recommended way of using 3D Body objects as this provides an accurate and detailed component representation on the PCB and gives more accurate 3D collision testing in the PCB editor, a 3D Body object can also be used for placing extruded polygon, cylindrical and spherical 3D Body shapes either in the PCB editor or into a PCB library component footprint. For information about working with these objects, see the Working with Extruded, Spherical & Cylindrical 3D Bodies in Altium Designer page.

3D Body Object Placement

A generic model, such as a STEP-format component model, is placed by linking or embedding it in a 3D Body object.

To place a generic model embedded inside the PCB footprint or PCB document:

  1. Choose the Place » 3D Body command from the main menus or use the 3D Body command () on the Active Bar.
  2. In the standard Windows Open dialog that appears after launching the 3D Body placement command, select the required file type from the drop-down then browse and locate the required model file, and click Open. The cursor will change to a crosshair, with the selected 3D model floating on it.
  3. Press Tab to pause placement and display the Properties panel in 3D Body mode. The pause button overlay ( ) will appear in the design space, indicating that you can access the fields of the Properties panel. The Generic 3D Model Type will be selected in the panel, along with Embed Model as the 3D Body source (means that the 3D model file is to be embedded inside the PCB library or PCB file).
  4. The default model color can be overridden if required. In the Display section of the panel, enable the Override Color checkbox then set the Color and the Opacity as required.
  5. Once editing in the panel is complete, click the pause button overlay to return to the design space.
  6. The model will be floating on the cursor; position it then click to place.
  7. The default behavior of the software is to remain in placement mode. Position further models if needed or right-click to exit model placement mode.
  8. It is quite likely that the generic model will need to be re-oriented; refer to the Orienting and Positioning the 3D Model section of the Additional Tools for Working with 3D Bodies page to learn more.

To place a generic model that uses a source other than Embed Model (Server or Link to Model):

  1. Select the Place » Extruded 3D Body command from the main menus or the icon on the Active Bar. The cursor will change to a crosshair and you will be in the default placement mode, placing an Extruded 3D Body object.
  2. Press Tab to pause placement and display the Properties panel in 3D Body mode. The pause button overlay ( ) will appear in the design space, indicating that you can access the fields of the Properties panel.
  3. In the 3D Model Type region of the Properties panel, click the Generic button.
  4. In the Source section of the Properties panel, click to set the source to:
    • Server – the 3D model is to be retrieved from a Workspace. Then click the Choose button to open the Choose Item dialog in which you can access content in a connected Workspace. Refer to the Referencing a Workspace-based 3D Model section below to learn more.
    • Link to Model – the 3D model file is linked to the PCB, this option is not available in the PCB library editor. Then click the Choose button to open the  Choose Model dialog in which you can select the required model. If the required model location is not listed in the Choose Model dialog, refer to the Working with a Linked Model section below to learn more.
  5. You will return to the Properties panel, with the chosen model information displayed.

Accurate and detailed component models are available.
Accurate and detailed component models are available.

  • A 3D model is imported into a 3D Body object. If you click to select an MCAD model in the PCB library editor, the Properties panel will show the properties of the 3D Body object containing that MCAD model.
  • Prior to the placement of a 3D Body, you can allocate a component layer pair of the 3D Body type that will contain 3D bodies. Refer to the Working with Mechanical Layers page to learn more about mechanical layers and component layer pairs.
  • Various options are available for checking clearance between components, including a mode that allows one 3D model to fit within another. Refer to the Component Clearance design rule to learn more. 
  • 3D mechanical models can sometimes be sourced from the component manufacturer.
  • There are excellent community portal websites, such as 3D Content Central and GrabCAD, where designers share models.
  • There is also a growing number of commercial 3D sites, including PCB 3D.
If you cannot see the 3D bodies in the PCB or PCB footprint editor, press L to open the View Configuration panel and ensure the Show 3D Bodies option is set to On in the General Settings region on the View Options tab (shortcut: Shift+Z).

Working with a Linked Model

Typically this feature is used to link to a large MCAD model, such as the product case, that you want to place in the PCB editor to check the loaded board for fit. The advantage of linking the model is that if the software detects that an external linked model file has been updated, it will warn on file-open, allowing the linked model to be refreshed.

Linked models must be stored in a location that is defined on the PCB Editor – Models page of the Preferences dialog. If the required location is not listed in the Choose Model dialog, click the Add Directories button to open the Preferences dialog.

To add a new location in the PCB Editor – Models Preferences page:

  1. Either type in the full path or click the button to the right of the Model Search Path field () to open the Windows Browse for Folder dialog.
  2. After locating the required folder and clicking OK in the dialog, you will return to the Preferences dialog. Click the Add button to include this location in the list of available model search paths.
  3. Note that only the specified folder is searched for model files; sub-folders are not searched.
  4. Once the required location has been specified, click OK to close the Preferences dialog and return to the Choose Model dialog.

Referencing a Workspace-based 3D Model

To reference a 3D model that is stored in a connected Workspace:

  1. Select Server in the Source region of the 3D Body mode of the Properties panel.
  2. Click the Choose button to the right of the Item Revision field.
  3. The Choose Item dialog will open; use this dialog to browse to and select the revision of the required Workspace 3D Model.
  4. After clicking OK, a link will be created between the 3D Body and the target revision of the Workspace 3D Model. Evidence of this link can be seen back in the Properties panel. Note that the Identifier field for the 3D body will be filled with the Item-Revision ID of the linked Workspace 3D Model.

Linking a 3D Body object to a revision of a Workspace 3D Model
Linking a 3D Body object to a revision of a Workspace 3D Model

  • The Workspace 3D Model being used can be changed at any time. Click Choose and select a revision of a different 3D model.
  • The status of the linked 3D model is reflected in the 3D Body mode of the Properties panel. If a newer revision of the linked Workspace 3D Model is available, click the Update button to use that latest revision.
  • When directly editing the source 2D footprint model stored within a revision of a Workspace Footprint – within a temporary PCB footprint editor – you can define a 3D Body object for it, with that body referencing (linked to) a revision of a Workspace 3D Model. Upon saving of that Workspace Footprint:

    • The Workspace 3D Model link is detected and the revision of the Workspace 3D Model will appear listed as a child Item of the Workspace Footprint in its Children aspect view in the Explorer panel. ( show image)

    • The revision of the Workspace 3D Model is detected as 'being used' and will therefore list the parent Workspace Footprint in its Where-used aspect view in the Explorer panel. ( show image)

  • Refer to the Additional Tools for Working with 3D Bodies page to learn about uploading 3D models to a connected Workspace.

Graphical Editing

The graphical method of editing allows you to select a placed 3D body object directly in the design space and change its location graphically.

Click on the 3D body then drag to reposition it. While dragging, the 3D body can be rotated or mirrored:

  • Press the Spacebar to rotate the 3D body counterclockwise or Shift+Spacebar for clockwise rotation. The Rotation Step size is defined on the PCB Editor – General page of the Preferences dialog.
  • Press the X or Y keys to mirror the 3D body along the X-axis or Y-axis.

Non-Graphical Editing

This method of editing uses the associated Properties panel mode to modify the properties of a 3D Body object.

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Note

The features available depend on your Altium product access level. Compare features included in the various levels of Altium Designer Software Subscription and functionality delivered through applications provided by the Altium 365 platform.

If you don’t see a discussed feature in your software, contact Altium Sales to find out more.

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