Step export: Be more verbose about "Substitute similarly named models" and missing step models
Description
I only get the PCB when I export a project to STEP. When selecting File->Export->STEP I expect the output to include the components in the STEP file.
Steps to reproduce
- Create a PCB with some components.
- Select File->Export->STEP
- Open the step file in a step file viewer.
Reopening on 2021-Jan-24
Reopening, because today third post appeared at user forum about not being able to export STEP model of the board. Because "Substitute.." checkbox is really unintuitive.
Suggestions Detect emptiness of output step model and (best to worse, imo):
- Add a message box (with OK button) that one should go back to preferences and check the checkbox ("Some models were not exported, please check the checkbox and try again";
- Add warnings and suggestions to output log window about that checkbox ("Error, please try setting checkbox..");
- Make appropriate tooltip ("Check this checkbox when output board step model looks empty");
- Make that checkbox ON by default. As I understand, this is unsafe because of #1781 (closed). If so, is it possible to detect possibility of incorrect scaling and throw a warning at log list, o throw a message box with a warning?
- Rename that checkbox to "Include step models" after v7 string freeze;
-
Make that checkbox bold text(already opposed by Wayne).
I only use step models, never seen component manufacturer who provides vrlm. I cannot understand the reason to use vrlm at all (v4 historical reasons?)...
KiCad Version
Application: KiCad PCB Editor (64-bit)
Version: (6.0.1), release build
Libraries:
wxWidgets 3.1.5
libcurl/7.78.0-DEV Schannel zlib/1.2.11
Platform: Windows 10 (build 19042), 64-bit edition, 64 bit, Little endian, wxMSW
Build Info:
Date: Jan 15 2022 13:36:27
wxWidgets: 3.1.5 (wchar_t,wx containers)
Boost: 1.76.0
OCC: 7.5.0
Curl: 7.78.0-DEV
ngspice: 35
Compiler: Visual C++ 1929 without C++ ABI
Build settings:
KICAD_USE_OCC=ON
KICAD_SPICE=ON
(original post date:)
Application: KiCad PCB Editor
Version: 6.0.0-d3dd2cf0fa~116~ubuntu20.04.1, release build
Libraries:
wxWidgets 3.0.4
Platform: Linux 5.11.0-44-generic x86_64, 64 bit, Little endian, wxGTK, KDE, x11
wxWidgets: 3.0.4 (wchar_t,wx containers,compatible with 2.8) GTK+ 3.24
Boost: 1.71.0
OCC: 7.5.2
Curl: 7.68.0
ngspice: 31
Compiler: GCC 9.3.0 with C++ ABI 1013
Build settings:
KICAD_USE_OCC=ON
KICAD_SPICE=ON
Edited by WhiteChairFromIkea