KB: Import a mechanical outline to PCB
Created: May 07, 2024 | Updated: July 01, 2024
Starting in version: 18
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Our mechanical engineer has created a PCB board outline complete with hole sizes & dimensions, and has sent it in 3D step file format. How to create a board shape from this file and other mechanical file types.
Solution Details
The best method of defining the board shape from a mechanical drawing or a 3D model is to import the file and then redefine the board shape from that file. To do this:For a 3D model
1. Place the 3D model on the PCB by: Place ► 3D Body. Then select the model.
![](https://www.altium.com/documentation/sites/default/files/wiki_attachments/322940/e5f12107aa3a3ae9a60c1d9310e5a051.jpeg)
2. Enter 3D mode, by going to View ► 3D Layout Mode
![](https://www.altium.com/documentation/sites/default/files/wiki_attachments/322940/c7128e4c9efc2c637eba43aac00066a8.jpeg)
3. While in 3D Mode, go to Design ► Board Shape ► Define from 3D Body
![](https://www.altium.com/documentation/sites/default/files/wiki_attachments/322940/cb39f3fab8c13702218e1b0351d4ef47.jpeg)
4. Select the 3D model
5. Choose the Face of the model that you want to become the Board Shape
![](https://www.altium.com/documentation/sites/default/files/wiki_attachments/322940/1c955cf40a0fb7efa6f04d8265fa7898.jpeg)
6. Set Options for the new board shape
![](https://www.altium.com/documentation/sites/default/files/wiki_attachments/322940/d70ffdac9a0c566e86da7629462c991a.jpeg)
For a mechanical drawing
1. Import the file, which needs to be in DXF or DWG format by going to File ► DXF/DWG
![](https://www.altium.com/documentation/sites/default/files/wiki_attachments/322940/77865943419f51703dc2336035676b47.jpeg)
2. Select the mechanical drawing you want to import
3. Assign the scale to match the size/units of the drawing
4. Mapped the layers of the drawing to a mechanical layer on the PCBDoc
5. Select OK to import
![](https://www.altium.com/documentation/sites/default/files/wiki_attachments/322940/3fc0710f62d11d5490affab706198486.jpeg)
6. With the outline imported, move it to where you want the board to be.
7. Select all of the lines that make up the outline, then go to: Design ► Board Shape ► Define from Selected Primitives
![](https://www.altium.com/documentation/sites/default/files/wiki_attachments/322940/7432227542051f08723ca2ef7c57b440.jpeg)
8. This should create the board shape based on the outline
Here is documentation on Defining the Board Shape:
https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/defining-the-board-shape-ad#importing-an-outline-to-use-for-the-board-shape