Populated board and STEP
At a glance
- Inspect the actual outline, cutouts, holes, slots, copper and fitted top/bottom components in 3D
- Exact embedded STEP models are kept separate from visible package envelopes
- Missing models stay visible and make exact mechanical coverage incomplete
- Export populated STEP or create a revisioned linked assembly in Drafting
- Drafting refresh preserves enclosure work and detached component edits
Choose Populated 3D from Board Layout. The orbitable view uses the same board outline, drills, routed slots, copper, pads, silkscreen and top/bottom placement transform as fabrication and assembly output.
Exact models and envelopes
Parts with embedded STEP bytes render their exact geometry. A missing or unreadable model renders as a visible amber package envelope so it cannot disappear from mechanical review. JetCad3 reports the two coverage states separately: a recognizable envelope helps with placement, but it is not exact mechanical proof.
Assembly variants and DNP settings decide which parts appear as fitted.
STEP and Drafting
Export STEP builds the board, holes, slots and exact fitted component models. Estimated envelopes are omitted. If model coverage is incomplete, the omission remains explicit and must be accepted where the workflow allows it.
Send to Drafting creates a revisioned linked assembly for enclosure and clearance work. Refresh updates the managed board and component bodies while preserving later Drafting features and other enclosure geometry. Copy or detach a component when it should stop following eCAD changes.