feat: add export_3d_cli tool (kicad-cli, format-dispatched 3D export)

New MCP tool `export_3d_cli` wrapping the kicad-cli 3D subcommands. A
`format` enum {step,glb,stl,ply,brep,xao,vrml} selects the subcommand and
the handler forwards only flags valid for that subcommand: the shared
geometry/include set for step/glb/stl/ply/brep/xao, no-optimize-step for
STEP only, and units + models-dir/models-relative for VRML. Rich CLI
sibling of the existing export_3d / export_vrml (left untouched). Reads
the saved .kicad_pcb.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.8 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>

python/kicad_interface.py

@@ -598,6 +598,7 @@ class KiCADInterface:
             "export_pcb_svg": self._handle_export_pcb_svg,
             "export_pcb_dxf": self._handle_export_pcb_dxf,
             "export_gerber_single": self._handle_export_gerber_single,
+            "export_3d_cli": self._handle_export_3d_cli,
             "generate_netlist": self._handle_generate_netlist,
             "sync_schematic_to_board": self._handle_sync_schematic_to_board,
             "list_schematic_libraries": self._handle_list_schematic_libraries,
@@ -5456,6 +5457,132 @@ class KiCADInterface:
             logger.error(f"Error exporting single Gerber: {e}")
             return {"success": False, "message": str(e)}
 
+    def _handle_export_3d_cli(self, params: Dict[str, Any]) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        """Export a 3D model of the PCB via kicad-cli (`pcb export <fmt>`).
+
+        Rich CLI sibling of export_3d / export_vrml. The ``format`` param selects
+        the subcommand (step, glb, stl, ply, brep, xao, vrml) and only flags valid
+        for that subcommand are forwarded. STEP/glb/stl/ply/brep/xao share the
+        geometry/include flag set; vrml uses units + models-dir instead. Reads the
+        saved .kicad_pcb.
+        """
+        import subprocess
+
+        logger.info("Exporting 3D model via kicad-cli")
+        try:
+            board_path = params.get("boardPath") or self._current_board_path()
+            output_path = params.get("outputPath")
+            fmt = params.get("format")
+
+            if not board_path:
+                return {
+                    "success": False,
+                    "message": "boardPath is required (no current board could be resolved)",
+                }
+            if not os.path.exists(board_path):
+                return {"success": False, "message": f"Board not found: {board_path}"}
+            if not output_path:
+                return {"success": False, "message": "outputPath is required"}
+            valid_formats = ("step", "glb", "stl", "ply", "brep", "xao", "vrml")
+            if fmt not in valid_formats:
+                return {
+                    "success": False,
+                    "message": f"format must be one of {valid_formats}",
+                }
+
+            kicad_cli = self._find_kicad_cli_static()
+            if not kicad_cli:
+                return {"success": False, "message": "kicad-cli not found in PATH"}
+
+            output_path = os.path.abspath(os.path.expanduser(output_path))
+            parent = os.path.dirname(output_path)
+            if parent:
+                os.makedirs(parent, exist_ok=True)
+
+            cmd = [kicad_cli, "pcb", "export", fmt, "--output", output_path]
+
+            for kv in params.get("defineVar", []) or []:
+                cmd += ["--define-var", kv]
+
+            # Flags common to ALL 3D subcommands
+            common_flags = {
+                "force": "--force",
+                "noUnspecified": "--no-unspecified",
+                "noDnp": "--no-dnp",
+            }
+            # Flags shared by step/glb/stl/ply/brep/xao (NOT vrml)
+            mesh_flags = {
+                "gridOrigin": "--grid-origin",
+                "drillOrigin": "--drill-origin",
+                "substModels": "--subst-models",
+                "boardOnly": "--board-only",
+                "cutViasInBody": "--cut-vias-in-body",
+                "noBoardBody": "--no-board-body",
+                "noComponents": "--no-components",
+                "includeTracks": "--include-tracks",
+                "includePads": "--include-pads",
+                "includeZones": "--include-zones",
+                "includeInnerCopper": "--include-inner-copper",
+                "includeSilkscreen": "--include-silkscreen",
+                "includeSoldermask": "--include-soldermask",
+                "fuseShapes": "--fuse-shapes",
+                "fillAllVias": "--fill-all-vias",
+            }
+            # STEP-only flag
+            step_flags = {
+                "noOptimizeStep": "--no-optimize-step",
+            }
+
+            flag_map = dict(common_flags)
+            if fmt != "vrml":
+                flag_map.update(mesh_flags)
+            if fmt == "step":
+                flag_map.update(step_flags)
+            for key, flag in flag_map.items():
+                if params.get(key):
+                    cmd.append(flag)
+
+            # Valued flags common to all: user-origin
+            if params.get("userOrigin") is not None and params.get("userOrigin") != "":
+                cmd += ["--user-origin", str(params["userOrigin"])]
+            # Component filter + net filter + min distance: mesh subcommands only
+            if fmt != "vrml":
+                if params.get("componentFilter") is not None and params["componentFilter"] != "":
+                    cmd += ["--component-filter", str(params["componentFilter"])]
+                if params.get("netFilter") is not None and params["netFilter"] != "":
+                    cmd += ["--net-filter", str(params["netFilter"])]
+                if params.get("minDistance") is not None and params["minDistance"] != "":
+                    cmd += ["--min-distance", str(params["minDistance"])]
+            # VRML-only valued flags
+            if fmt == "vrml":
+                if params.get("units") is not None and params["units"] != "":
+                    cmd += ["--units", str(params["units"])]
+                if params.get("modelsDir") is not None and params["modelsDir"] != "":
+                    cmd += ["--models-dir", str(params["modelsDir"])]
+                if params.get("modelsRelative"):
+                    cmd.append("--models-relative")
+
+            cmd.append(board_path)
+
+            logger.info(f"Running: {' '.join(cmd)}")
+            result = subprocess.run(cmd, capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=300)
+
+            if result.returncode != 0:
+                return {
+                    "success": False,
+                    "message": f"kicad-cli failed (exit {result.returncode}): "
+                    f"{result.stderr.strip()}",
+                }
+            return {"success": True, "outputPath": output_path}
+
+        except FileNotFoundError:
+            return {"success": False, "message": "kicad-cli not found in PATH"}
+        except subprocess.TimeoutExpired:
+            return {"success": False, "message": "kicad-cli timed out after 300 seconds"}
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.error(f"Error exporting 3D model: {e}")
+            return {"success": False, "message": str(e)}
+
     def _handle_generate_netlist(self, params: Dict[str, Any]) -> Dict[str, Any]:
         """Generate netlist from schematic and return structured JSON.
 

src/tools/export.ts

@@ -933,5 +933,105 @@ export function registerExportTools(server: McpServer, callKicadScript: CommandF
     },
   );
 
+  // ------------------------------------------------------
+  // Export 3D Model Tool (kicad-cli, format dispatch + full flag union)
+  // ------------------------------------------------------
+  server.tool(
+    "export_3d_cli",
+    "Export a 3D model of the PCB via kicad-cli. The `format` param selects the subcommand (step, glb, stl, ply, brep, xao, vrml); only flags valid for that subcommand are forwarded. STEP/glb/stl/ply/brep/xao share the geometry/include flag set (no-board-body, include-tracks/pads/zones/inner-copper/silkscreen/soldermask, fuse-shapes, fill-all-vias, component/net filters, min-distance, etc.; no-optimize-step is STEP-only); vrml uses units + models-dir/models-relative instead. Rich CLI sibling of export_3d and export_vrml. Reads the last SAVED state of the .kicad_pcb.",
+    {
+      outputPath: z.string().describe("Output 3D model file path"),
+      format: z
+        .enum(["step", "glb", "stl", "ply", "brep", "xao", "vrml"])
+        .describe("3D output format (selects the kicad-cli subcommand)"),
+      boardPath: z.string().optional().describe("Path to the .kicad_pcb (default: current board)"),
+      defineVar: z
+        .array(z.string())
+        .optional()
+        .describe("Project variable overrides as 'KEY=VALUE' strings"),
+      // common to all formats
+      force: z.boolean().optional().describe("Overwrite output file"),
+      noUnspecified: z
+        .boolean()
+        .optional()
+        .describe("Exclude 3D models for components with 'Unspecified' footprint type"),
+      noDnp: z
+        .boolean()
+        .optional()
+        .describe("Exclude 3D models for components with 'Do not populate' attribute"),
+      userOrigin: z
+        .string()
+        .optional()
+        .describe("User-specified output origin e.g. '1x1in', '25.4x25.4mm' (default unit mm)"),
+      // mesh subcommands only (step/glb/stl/ply/brep/xao)
+      gridOrigin: z.boolean().optional().describe("Use Grid Origin for output origin"),
+      drillOrigin: z.boolean().optional().describe("Use Drill Origin for output origin"),
+      substModels: z
+        .boolean()
+        .optional()
+        .describe("Substitute STEP/IGS models in place of VRML models"),
+      boardOnly: z.boolean().optional().describe("Only generate a board with no components"),
+      cutViasInBody: z
+        .boolean()
+        .optional()
+        .describe("Cut via holes in board body even if conductor layers not exported"),
+      noBoardBody: z.boolean().optional().describe("Exclude board body"),
+      noComponents: z.boolean().optional().describe("Exclude 3D models for components"),
+      componentFilter: z
+        .string()
+        .optional()
+        .describe("Only include component models matching this refdes list (comma, wildcards)"),
+      includeTracks: z.boolean().optional().describe("Export tracks and vias"),
+      includePads: z.boolean().optional().describe("Export pads"),
+      includeZones: z.boolean().optional().describe("Export zones"),
+      includeInnerCopper: z.boolean().optional().describe("Export elements on inner copper layers"),
+      includeSilkscreen: z
+        .boolean()
+        .optional()
+        .describe("Export silkscreen graphics as flat faces"),
+      includeSoldermask: z.boolean().optional().describe("Export soldermask layers as flat faces"),
+      fuseShapes: z.boolean().optional().describe("Fuse overlapping geometry together"),
+      fillAllVias: z.boolean().optional().describe("Don't cut via holes in conductor layers"),
+      minDistance: z
+        .string()
+        .optional()
+        .describe("Min distance between points to treat as separate (default '0.01mm')"),
+      netFilter: z
+        .string()
+        .optional()
+        .describe("Only include copper items belonging to nets matching this wildcard"),
+      // STEP only
+      noOptimizeStep: z
+        .boolean()
+        .optional()
+        .describe("Do not optimize STEP file (enables writing parametric curves; STEP only)"),
+      // VRML only
+      units: z
+        .enum(["mm", "m", "in", "tenths"])
+        .optional()
+        .describe("Output units (VRML only; default in)"),
+      modelsDir: z
+        .string()
+        .optional()
+        .describe("Folder to store 3D models in (VRML only; empty = embed in main file)"),
+      modelsRelative: z
+        .boolean()
+        .optional()
+        .describe("Use relative model paths with modelsDir (VRML only)"),
+    },
+    async (args) => {
+      logger.debug(`Exporting 3D model (${args.format}) to: ${args.outputPath}`);
+      const result = await callKicadScript("export_3d_cli", args);
+      return {
+        content: [
+          {
+            type: "text",
+            text: JSON.stringify(result),
+          },
+        ],
+      };
+    },
+  );
+
   logger.info("Export tools registered");
 }

src/tools/registry.ts

@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ export const toolCategories: ToolCategory[] = [
       "export_pcb_svg",
       "export_pcb_dxf",
       "export_gerber_single",
+      "export_3d_cli",
       "export_pdf",
       "export_svg",
       "export_3d",