Free2ki
FreeCAD to KiCad 3D model exporter
The `free2ki` [FreeCAD](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD) workbench enables you to apply materials to 3D models in FreeCAD, as well as to easily export them to VRML (.wrl/.wrz) files with correctly applied rotation and scaling for use in KiCad as well as Blender. The project is written primarily in Python, distributed under the GNU General Public License v3.0 license, first published in 2022. Key topics include: freecad, freecad-workbench, kicad, pcb.
The free2ki FreeCAD workbench enables you to apply materials to 3D models in FreeCAD, as well as to easily export them to VRML (.wrl/.wrz) files with correctly applied rotation and scaling for use in KiCad as well as Blender.
I created it as I wanted a fast to use, simple and less buggy/bloated alternative to the kicadStepUp workbench that just works and better integrates into my KiCad to Blender workflow (pcb2blender).
Usage
- Switch to the Free2Ki Workbench.
- Select the models or parts of models you want to apply a material too.
- Use the
Set Materialstool, to setup the materials you want (this tool can be used
multiple times to setup multiple materials, on a single object) - Export the selected objects (or the whole file if nothing is selected) via the
Export
tool. This will create a<project_name>.wrzfile, in the same directory your FreeCAD
project file is in. - (optional) Install the pcb2blender
Blender addon and import your model via<br>
File -> Import -> X3D/VRML (.x3d/.wrl) (for pcb3d).<br>
Materials
Missing anything from the selection of available materials?
Feel free to create an issue on the mat4cad repository, explaining what materials you'd like to see (possibly also how they'd look like in Blender) and I might add them in the next update!
Installation
-
(not available yet) via the builtin addon manager
Tools -> Addon manager -> Workbenches -> free2ki -
(manual) Download the
free2ki_<version>.zipfrom the
latest release
and unpack its contents into your
FreeCAD Mod folder.
Other Projects
-
All the 3D models of the protorack-kicad KiCad library, which contains all the custom symbols and footprints I use for eurorack module development, have been created using this workbench.
-
The pcb2blender workflow makes use of the mat4cad materials that this workbench lets you apply to your models. These materials will be recognized by Blender, and depending on the material type, different procedural textures/features will be used in Blender, making your models look more realistic.
Credits
- The name of this project is inspired by the awesome svg2shenzhen Inkscape extension by badgeek.
License
- This project is licensed under GPLv3.
Contributors
Showing top 2 contributors by commit count.
