Working with 3D models in Altium 19 [SOLVED]

[Lucky-Luka]

Hi all
Is there a way to orient the view?
How to properly move the IC respect the pin holes (first of all I created the footprint then I imported the 3D step)? do I have to use the coordinates in the properties tab at the right of the window? How can I know if the holes are centered with the pins?
Thanks

[Psi]

You can drag around the 3D model on top of the footprint to position the 3D model pins in the footprint holes.
Just switch to 2D mode (2 key) and then move it around.  Once the item is selected you can switch back to 3D mode and keep moving it in 3D mode.  (Selecting objects in 3D mode is tricky, so I select it in 2D mode first.)

You only need to edit the numbers in the properties window for rotations, which is usually not needed if you design the 3d model flat to start with.

Note, my experience is with older Altium versions, i dont have much experience with the latest version.

[Lucky-Luka]

I was wondering if there is a way to rotate all the view.

[Psi]

Do you mean like look around in 3D space while in footprint edit mode, like you can with the PCB?
yeah i don't think you can do that. not sure why.

But it would not surprise me if you can do it using some weird shortcut or hotkey.  Altium is always surprising me with features I didn't know about.

[Lucky-Luka]

Yeah like in a 3D CAD program where I can turn the object to see in every orientation. In a 3D CAD program one maybe use the central button of the mouse or the right one keeping it pressed to do that.
It's the first time I use 3D in altium and I don't find it really intuitive.

[Psi]

facepalm, yes, you can, not sure why I thought you couldn't.

Switch to 3D view. (press 3)
Hold shift,  then hold down right mouse button, then move mouse around.

Just tried it.
works fine

[Lucky-Luka]

It works!
btw what is that strange double orange cone?

[Psi]

It works!
btw what is that strange double orange cone?

It's just the way Altium does rotation, you might be able to turn it off, not sure,

[Batang]

"btw what is that strange double orange cone?"

That is the 3D cursor.

[ajb]

For some stupid reason the shift+drag doesn't work when a 3d command is active.  However a space mouse will, so if you find yourself doing a lot of positioning of 3D bodies (or just generally want a better way of navigating in 3D) they are quite nice and supported by a wide range of software tools: https://3dconnexion.com/us/spacemouse/

Generally if I have a 3D model of a part that doesn't already have the origin and orientation in a sensible place I'll drop it into Fusion360 and move/rotate the model into a more sensible orientation. It's sometimes faster than doing that in altium, and you can also take the opportunity to adjust the colors of the model if you want.  This is mostly cosmetic, but it can definitely make it easier to look at and understand the PCB model if the parts are somewhat realistically colored.

[Psi]

For some stupid reason the shift+drag doesn't work when a 3d command is active.  However a space mouse will, so if you find yourself doing a lot of positioning of 3D bodies (or just generally want a better way of navigating in 3D) they are quite nice and supported by a wide range of software tools: https://3dconnexion.com/us/spacemouse/

Generally if I have a 3D model of a part that doesn't already have the origin and orientation in a sensible place I'll drop it into Fusion360 and move/rotate the model into a more sensible orientation. It's sometimes faster than doing that in altium, and you can also take the opportunity to adjust the colors of the model if you want.  This is mostly cosmetic, but it can definitely make it easier to look at and understand the PCB model if the parts are somewhat realistically colored.

Only thing that annoys me about using a 3dconnexion space mouse with Altium is that the sensitivity of the space mouse changes with proximity to the PCB.

[ajb]

Only thing that annoys me about using a 3dconnexion space mouse with Altium is that the sensitivity of the space mouse changes with proximity to the PCB.

Does it? I don't think I've noticed that before, and it doesn't seem to just now when I tested it.  Maybe a version/settings thing?  You do definitely have to play with the sensitivities on a per-application basis, and in some cases per-axis.  IME if the sensitivities are out of balance (or you have axes inverted versus what feels natural to you) it can throw the meat-based feedback loop out of whack and make it super hard to control.  So worth playing with those settings to find what feels right.

[Psi]

Only thing that annoys me about using a 3dconnexion space mouse with Altium is that the sensitivity of the space mouse changes with proximity to the PCB.

Does it? I don't think I've noticed that before, and it doesn't seem to just now when I tested it.  Maybe a version/settings thing?  You do definitely have to play with the sensitivities on a per-application basis, and in some cases per-axis.  IME if the sensitivities are out of balance (or you have axes inverted versus what feels natural to you) it can throw the meat-based feedback loop out of whack and make it super hard to control.  So worth playing with those settings to find what feels right.

Try to fly through the PCB, as you get closer it slows down the speed you're approaching at.