Extended modules > PCB > Creating New 3D PCB Assembly Models in Creo Elements/Direct Modeling
  
Creating New 3D PCB Assembly Models in Creo Elements/Direct Modeling
You can use standard parts stored in the IDF Data Adapter (PCB I/F) libraries to create your own mechanical 3D PCB assembly model to export to BoardStation or IDF format.
You can select defined profiles to create a PCB (including holes and cutouts, keep-out and keep-in areas for board components and for annotation) and its associated components.
On these profiles, you can create the PCB geometry from scratch, import it from existing PCB geometry, or take it from drawings created during the mechanical design process.
You can then pre-place 3D models of critical parts and components.
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IDF Data Adapter (PCB I/F) allows you to build custom libraries of 3D EE component models for use in 3D PCB assembly models. When you create a new part, make sure that its EE equivalent is available in the EE CAD system to which you will export the PCB assembly.
Upon completion, you can export the Creo Elements/Direct Modeling 3D model to BoardStation or IDF format. The Creo Elements/Direct Modeling IDF Data Adapter (PCB I/F) exportation process automatically translates the 3D mechanical design data to BoardStation ASCII file format or to IDF format.
To create a new mechanical 3D PCB model in Creo Elements/Direct Modeling,
1. Create a new assembly for the 3D PCB model.
2. Add profiles (including, at a minimum, the pcb_outline profile for the board blank). Where applicable, Creo Elements/Direct Modeling IDF Data Adapter (PCB I/F) will prompt you for a height attribute.
3. Use Creo Elements/Direct Modeling Create 2D commands (on the Modeling tab, in the Draw group) to create outlines on each workplane. You can also use predefined functions for manipulating profiles.
4. Click PCB and then, in the Model group, click the arrow next to Filing.
5. Click Load to load models of the parts you want to add to the new 3D PCB assembly. Please note that the Load command places a "master copy" of a given part at the origin for selection. The Load Model dialog box opens along with the Libraries table.
6. Click PCB and then, in the Part group, click Add to add a shared instance of a loaded model to the 3D PCB assembly. Specify a unique reference designator for each part thus created. If you want to add multiple shared instances of the same model, simply click Next in the AddPart dialog box to specify additional reference designators.
7. Use the Move command (Click PCB and then, in the Part group, click Move) to move each part to the correct location and orientation. If you want to use additional shared instances of the same model in your 3D PCB assembly, you need to repeat the Add Part command for each instance before the resulting part(s) can be moved.
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Do not use Creo Elements/Direct Modeling Modify 3D commands to change the location and/or orientation of a part in Creo Elements/Direct Modeling IDF Data Adapter (PCB I/F).
8. In the Creo Elements/Direct Modeling IDF Data Adapter (PCB I/F), click PCB and then, in the Assembly group, click Update to apply your changes and additions to the current assembly. The Update PCA dialog box opens.
9. When your 3D PCB assembly is complete, click the applicable Export command (on the PCB tab, in the Filing group).