As electronics become thinner and more ergonomic, modern PCBs have increasingly complex designs, and schematics must be mapped with great precision during the design process. With the pressure to shorten time to market for new products, EagleUp's one-click export function accelerates PCB design implementation by creating a realistic image of the PCB, which can be closely examined for accuracy and modification, proving invaluable.
The 3D model allows designers to combine multiple boards into a single model to check for misaligned connectors and collisions of higher components. The model can also be used to assess airflow around devices and the accessibility of measurement and mounting points. Designers can also convert mechanical models from STEP and IGES files available on manufacturers' websites. The final SketchUp model can be exported to other MCAD tools in STEP format, if needed.
EagleUp is written as EAGLE ULP (User Language Program), allowing customization to specific design needs. The EAGLE ULP scripting language is simple (C-like syntax) and provides access to all layout information. The SketchUp import plugin is written using the embedded Ruby script. All source code is also available.
All the necessary tools for EagleUp can be downloaded for free for Windows and Mac OS platforms.
