Converting from SketchUp to STEP

[VinnyCordeiro]

First things first: I know very little about 3D CAD software.

I'm learning to use Altium Designer: EAGLE is fast and easy to use but have very serious limitations, and I simply can't use KiCad, its interface infuriates me.

Obviously I need to create a custom library for Cherry MX switches and that's where my lack of CAD knowledge kicks in: to add a 3D footprint of the custom component, I need a STEP file for it. And I can't find a Cherry MX model in that file format.

I was able to find a 3D model made on SketchUp: https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?redirect=1&mid=81cf92a3e03098a5cc90be332989df6e&id=81cf92a3e03098a5cc90be332989df6e , so I've downloaded the free version of the program but it doesn't export to STEP.

Can someone make this conversion to me, please? I need all 6 switch variants: plate mounted, plate mounted with LED, plate mounted with diode, pcb mounted, pcb mounted with LED and pcb mounted with diode.

Thank you.

[VinnyCordeiro]

Progress so far: it seems that even the Pro version of SketchUp does not export to STEP format. So I started searching alternatives. And found one.

I have installed a plugin on SketchUp that export to STL format, the same used by 3D printers. I lost color information that way, though.

Next, I opened the file in FreeCAD. The 3D rendering is beautiful, but now I can't export it to STEP, receive this error message:

Code: [Select]

'cherry.SketchUp_2015' is not a shape, export will be ignored.
Googleing for a solution sent me to this page, but it doesn't help me, as my knowledge of Python is even smaller than of CAD software.

[Rotwitt]

I've had the same problem, and I have sadly yet to find a satisfactory solution. I use Autodesk Inventor, and more or less none of the .stl files I've exported from sketchup seemed to work properly. I even tried using Fusion 360, but no luck, I'm afraid. The easiest way for you to overcome this, might actually be to draw one yourself, if you have the switch and measurement tools,

[VinnyCordeiro]

I've had the same problem, and I have sadly yet to find a satisfactory solution. I use Autodesk Inventor, and more or less none of the .stl files I've exported from sketchup seemed to work properly. I even tried using Fusion 360, but no luck, I'm afraid. The easiest way for you to overcome this, might actually be to draw one yourself, if you have the switch and measurement tools,

I also found a poor model made with OpenSCAD. This one I was able to convert to STEP, but boy, it is ugly (the pin locations and plate tabs dimensions are said to be accurate.)

[xondat]

SketchUp creates mesh files, whereas STEP is a 3D model file. Therefore it is hard to get the file type that you need; you're best getting someone that can use CAD software or learning yourself

[VinnyCordeiro]

SketchUp creates mesh files, whereas STEP is a 3D model file. Therefore it is hard to get the file type that you need; you're best getting someone that can use CAD software or learning yourself

I prefer to spend my time learning to use Altium Designer. It is quite different than EAGLE, but the extra features compensates the time spent.

And that's why I asked for help in the OP. As no one answered, I'm struggling to find a solution myself.

[attheicearcade]

This model has already been converted to STEP / IGES. https://grabcad.com/library/cherry-mx-switch-1

[VinnyCordeiro]

This model has already been converted to STEP / IGES. https://grabcad.com/library/cherry-mx-switch-1

Have to create an account on the website just to download it. Thanks, but no, thanks. I already receive too much involuntary SPAM to add a voluntary one on my inbox.

EDIT: ok, perfect occasion to test disposable email services. Worked fine and downloaded the model. It isn't perfect, but is good enough for what I want to do. Thank you!

[VinnyCordeiro]

Have found many models of the Cherry MX, none of the better quality are in STEP format. The one I got has some flaws, but worked as a temporary model.

Do anyone here have AutoCAD to convert a F3D file into a STEP file, please?

[Rotwitt]

I might have found a solution to the problem!
A guy named Kevin Yang Yu*, has posted a fantastic MX Cherry model on Grabcad. The best thing being that it is uploaded in STEP. Good on you Kevin!

https://grabcad.com/library/machanical-keyboard-keys-mx-key-switches-mx-1

*I should stop stereotyping. Or start reading. Whichever works.

[VinnyCordeiro]

I might have found a solution to the problem!
A guy named Kevin Yang Yu*, has posted a fantastic MX Cherry model on Grabcad. The best thing being that it is uploaded in STEP. Good on you Kevin!

https://grabcad.com/library/machanical-keyboard-keys-mx-key-switches-mx-1

*I should stop stereotyping. Or start reading. Whichever works.

Interesting. I had attheicearcade found another model on this same site, but as this one do not use the word Cherry I think it passed under the radar when searching. Thank you very much, I'll try this model when I arrive home.

[Rotwitt]

I might have found a solution to the problem!
A guy named Kevin Yang Yu*, has posted a fantastic MX Cherry model on Grabcad. The best thing being that it is uploaded in STEP. Good on you Kevin!

https://grabcad.com/library/machanical-keyboard-keys-mx-key-switches-mx-1

*I should stop stereotyping. Or start reading. Whichever works.

Interesting. I had attheicearcade found another model on this same site, but as this one do not use the word Cherry I think it passed under the radar when searching. Thank you very much, I'll try this model when I arrive home.

Glad to be able to help! It also took me quite a while to find this one. For some weird reason it doesn't even show up when searching for the exact name. I found it through Google instead, which is kinda weird

[VinnyCordeiro]

The new link have SolidWorks files for almost all components of the Cherry MX switch, it lacks just the spring and the contact leafs. Everything else is there.

The STEP files are both of completed switches with LED, one with a keycap, the other without it. The quality is very good.

So the situation is: I have a good model of the switch with a LED and a not-so-good model of it without the LED. Both versions are the PCB mounted switch. I would go for the plate mounted model, but as the library is for personal use and I don't use plate mounted switches, I think the search is almost over. I will try to get a better model for the switch without LED, but if not, the models I already have will work.

Thank you guys for all the help, you are awesome!

[Rotwitt]

The new link have SolidWorks files for almost all components of the Cherry MX switch, it lacks just the spring and the contact leafs. Everything else is there.

The STEP files are both of completed switches with LED, one with a keycap, the other without it. The quality is very good.

So the situation is: I have a good model of the switch with a LED and a not-so-good model of it without the LED. Both versions are the PCB mounted switch. I would go for the plate mounted model, but as the library is for personal use and I don't use plate mounted switches, I think the search is almost over. I will try to get a better model for the switch without LED, but if not, the models I already have will work.

Thank you guys for all the help, you are awesome!

I can remove the LED for you, if you want me to

[vvp]

The model looks pretty but it has critical errors. The dimensions for the switch slot should be about 13.9 mm x 13.9 mm but they are 13.6 mm x 14.1 mm. That is the most important thing if you want to design anything around that switch. And it is incorrect. You need to fix it if you want to use it for anything serious. And rather check other dimensions too. And if you fix it the post the correct step file please 

[VinnyCordeiro]

The model looks pretty but it has critical errors. The dimensions for the switch slot should be about 13.9 mm x 13.9 mm but they are 13.6 mm x 14.1 mm. That is the most important thing if you want to design anything around that switch. And it is incorrect. You need to fix it if you want to use it for anything serious. And rather check other dimensions too. And if you fix it the post the correct step file please 

These errors are not critical for what I want, which is to generate a 3D preview of PCBs. But that's just me, I don't need super precise accuracy.

[VinnyCordeiro]

I can remove the LED for you, if you want me to

Please, be my guest.

[Rotwitt]

I can remove the LED for you, if you want me to

Please, be my guest.

Here you go! Let me know if it works

[VinnyCordeiro]

I can remove the LED for you, if you want me to

Please, be my guest.

Here you go! Let me know if it works

I will, when I arrive home from work. And thanks!

EDIT: from what I saw at http://beta.sharecad.org the model is pretty good. I'll only know for sure when I use it on Altium, though. (I would use https://a360.autodesk.com/viewer, but it is taking forever to render the switch.)