Add ability to export silk and copper layers in 'Export STEP' options

[NearFarMedia]

Hi,

When designing a product, it would be very useful if the 'Export STEP' function could also export the silkscreen and outer copper layers as the 'Export VRML' already does.
Product designs would be made much easier, for example if these layers could be used in 3D CAD software to aid in routing traces around certain features of the enclosure or other parts of the product design.

I know VRML can be used, but using STEP is much easier in CAD software that is solid modelling oriented rather than polygon oriented. Being able to put the 3D STEP output of the PCB from Diptrace with these additional layers into the enclosure or assembly in CAD software to then edit and tweak parts of a PCB design in the CAD software to 'fit to envelope' then import elements back into Diptrace (like a corrected ground plane outline as a DXF for example) would be fantastic.

[helena566]

This would be a very useful addition. I often need those layers visible in mechanical CAD to avoid clearance issues.Tunnel Rush Game Is there any plan to add this feature in future releases?

[Moris]

You could add a shape i.e. keep out on the pcb and export that.

[nikthefix]

I have always had a need for this feature.
My workaround is to import the diptrace project gerbers into Kicad and export STEP of all layers from there.
Yes Kicad does allow STEP export of silk and copper layers - mask / paste too!
So I don't know why Diptrace can't / won't implement this.
File size is not an issue in the Kicad export files at all.

Kicad is my toolkit for missing Diptrace features. But Diptrace is so much nicer to use so Kicad will remain just a toolkit for me.

[tartan5]

Second this!

I often need to make photorealistic renders of my pcbs by importing the step into Inventor...

Currently I use Zozpcb to import all gerbers, then export all layers as step. Then in diptrace export just components, and in inventor assembly the two....