Design Automation


PCB layout module for Google SketchUp

26 October 2011 Design Automation

RS Components announces the release of its new PCB Converter for SketchUp tool, which allows designers to import intermediate data format (IDF) files into Google SketchUp. The new module adds a 3D CAD back-end capability to PCB design tools and takes SketchUp into the electronic product design domain, transferring files from any CAD environment providing IDF output into COLLADA format.

PCB Converter for SketchUp can be downloaded for free from the DesignSpark SparkStore at www.designspark.com, from the RS website at www.rsonline.co.za/electronics or from the plug-ins area on the Google SketchUp website, http://sketchup.google.com

Google SketchUp is already known as the world’s most popular free 3D design tool, and is rapidly gaining a widespread and loyal following amongst electronics design engineers. This is thanks not only to its capabilities as a CAD package, but also due to the fact that many of these capabilities are available in the free version. Using PCB Converter for SketchUp, users can import IDF files, a file specification designed specifically for the exchange of printed circuit assembly data between mechanical design and PCB layout.

Electronics engineers are able to export their PCB designs into Google SketchUp to assess their compatibility with the mechanical constraints of enclosures and mounts. This allows them to make design decisions immediately, and mitigates the need for redesign requests and design reviews. Users can then incorporate 3D models of popular electromechanical components to complete their design. CAD models of products in the RS product range can be downloaded from the website in SketchUp compliant format (*.skp) and used in the tool.



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Industrial Ethernet time sensitive networking switch
RS South Africa Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The ADIN3310 and ADIN6310 are 3-port and 6-port Gigabit Ethernet time sensitive networking (TSN) switches with integrated security primarily designed for industrial Ethernet applications.

Read more...
ST’s graphical no-code design software
Design Automation
MEMS-Studio is a complete desktop software solution designed to develop embedded AI features, evaluate embedded libraries, analyse data, and design no-code algorithms for the entire portfolio of ST’s MEMS sensors.

Read more...
Large capacitance MLCCs at 100 V
RS South Africa Passive Components
TDK Corporation has expanded its CGA series for automotive multilayer ceramic capacitors to 10 µF at 100 V in 3225 size.

Read more...
Power-over-coax inductors
RS South Africa Passive Components
TDK has expanded the ADL3225VF series of wire-wound inductors for automotive power-over-coax (PoC).

Read more...
Compact EMI suppression capacitors
RS South Africa Passive Components
These new components from TDK are 20% smaller than previous models and meet Grade III Test B standards for temperature, humidity, and bias.

Read more...
LibGSM – A powerful, modular GSM library
eiTech Systems Design Automation
Whether you are building SMS, MQTT, HTTP or other GSM-based applications, eiTech’s LibGSM library helps streamline development with its carefully structured design.

Read more...
NECTO Studio V7.2 IDE with code assistant
Design Automation
MIKROE recently announced that NECTO Studio 7.2 IDE now includes NECTO Code Assistant, an AI tool that enables users to create code for multi-Click projects.

Read more...
MPLAB unified compiler licenses
Design Automation
Offering an efficient way to manage multiple licenses, Microchip Technology has launched MPLAB XC unified compiler licenses for its MPLAB XC8, XC16, XC-DSC and XC32 C compilers.

Read more...
The ultimate range for design and repair
RS South Africa Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Whether adapting existing systems or maintaining essential equipment, design and repair play a crucial role in ensuring efficiency and longevity.

Read more...
Full telemetry in tiny DC-DC converters
RS South Africa Power Electronics / Power Management
The FS160* series of µPOL DC-DC converters from TDK all offer full telemetry, provide increased performance, and are remarkable for extraordinary power density in the smallest sizes.

Read more...