- Overview
- Library Service Options
- Library Footprint Creation
- Library Footprint Validation
- Library Footprint 3D Models
- Library Sustainment
- Quote Request
- Library Introduction
- What's Your Structure?
- Why Conformity Matters
- Who's Your Librarian?
- Library Clean Up
- Symbol Style Guide
- DFM Library Example
- Library Resource Videos (18)
- Avoiding Gotchas
- Altium Vault Offerings
- Configuration Setup
- Vault Management Videos (16)
- Overview
- Point of Entry
- L9 Videos (4)
- L9 vs. Vault
- Evaluation
3D Is Part Of The Component Makeup
Why 3D Body Models are Non-Negotiable
At Nine Dot Connects, we don't view 3D models as an "extra" - they are a requirement. Every footprint we create includes a 3D rendering (with rare exceptions for copper-defined features like embedded inductors, test points, or fiducials?. While these models result in stunning board visualizations, their true purpose is much more functional: mechanical risk mitigation on the board and beyond.
On the Board
All too often, a board respin occurs during assembly when it is discovered that a component's footprint was not properly dimensioned. This can be mitigated by importing and aligning a 3D body with the footprint designed for it. Though datasheets should be the source of truth, it's not uncommon to find discrepancies between their dimensions and the dimensions of the 3D body.
Beyond the Board
In addition to footprint validation, 3D bodies allow the layout designer to see the component placement in a 3D representation. This helps to avoid component crowding which could be assembled, but may have a serious impact on the ability to integrate the board into an enclosure or larger system.
To understand why this is, consider how design worked before these tools existed.
Lesson from the Past: The Cost of "Drawing it Twice"
In 2006, a design team was tasked with creating custom PCBs designed to press onto backplane pins for signal debugging. Because space was extremely tight, each board had to fit perfectly within its designated area without colliding with adjacent boards.
At the time, the workflow was manual and fragmented. Mechanical engineers took manual measurements and passed them to the layout artists. Because EDA and mechanical tools were incompatible, the layout designer had to manually reenter that data into the layout tool. Despite everyone's best efforts, the lack of a shared 3D workspace led to a mismatch. The boards didn't fit.
The result? An expensive and time-consuming respin. It took a second iteration to get it right - a cost that could have been avoided with modern 3D integration.
Bridging the ECAD-MCAD Chasm
With Altium Designer'ss 3D capabilities, these "fitment" horror stories should be a thing of the past. The ability to render an entire assembly allows PCB designers to interface directly with mechanical engineers. When Altium Designer introduced the capability to integrate 3D bodies into footprints, it bridged this historical gap between Electrical CAD (ECAD) and Mechanical CAD (MCAD).
- Real-Time Verification: Designers can export the entire board as a STEP file to ensure a perfect fit within an enclosure before manufacturing a single board.
- Dynamic Interchange: Modern innovations now allow for real-time graphics interchange between EDA and mechanical tools.
Our Commitment
This seamless workflow is only possible when the footprint contains a 3D representation. When Nine Dot Connects builds a component for you, a 3D model is always included. To us, it isn't just a feature - it's a necessity.
