3D PCB
A 3D PCB is a Fusion design document that stores a solid-model representation of your printed circuit board. It shows the board outline, layer stack thickness, and components that you view and edit in the Design workspace. You can place and validate the PCB in context — fit inside an enclosure, check clearances with mechanical parts, and sync changes with the 2D PCB.
The 3D PCB is generated from your electronics design and stays linked, so you can pull changes between ECAD and MCAD.
What's included in a 3D PCB
- Board outline sketch: the preferred method for defining the PCB outline.
- Board body: Shows thickness from the stackup
- 3D packages: MCAD-ready geometry for components
- Reference canvases: Visual representations of copper and masks when you choose performance-oriented creation options
Common use cases
- Early enclosure fit: Set height budgets and keep-outs before detailed layout
- Connector and port alignment: Align PCB-mounted I/O with industrial design openings
- Thermal and mechanical planning: Place heat sinks, shields, and standoffs; reserve airflow and assembly clearances
Assembly integration
There are two primary ways to integrate the 3D PCB into your mechanical assembly:
- Define the board in mechanical context: Start from a sketch or face in Design to size and position the board where it lives. Create the 3D PCB and then the 2D PCB from it.
- Insert 3D PCB into the assembly: Insert or edit-in-place the 3D PCB inside your product assembly.
Limitations and considerations
- Accuracy vs. speed: Rendering copper as canvases speeds up creation but isn't physical geometry; use full solids when you need precise mass or volume analysis
- Package completeness: Parts without 3D packages appear as simple boxes; assign 3D packages for reliable clearance checks
- Document management: Keep 2D and 3D documents open together and sync frequently