Comment 7 for bug 698827

That' s true. Solid models usually come in STEP. I successfully used this kind of models for some of my projects.
Every half way decent 3D CAD application can import/export STEP. Even freecad can, although it still has a long way to go until it is a full fledged 3D CAD design suite. BTW, there was a kicad discussion on the freecad forum.
 http://sourceforge.net/apps/phpbb/free-cad/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=592
Bottom line: VRML was a show stopper.

Back on topic: Export as STEP would be best with regard to 3D CAD. But it also is such a pain license wise and for practical coding, that even the powerful blender project did not produce an import utility.
http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/Dev:Ref/File_Formats
I was curious how STEP format is actually composed. But it seems to be a well kept secret. At least google search failed on me.

IMHO, a realistic way to go is an export/import to a FOSS 3D CAD format. That way, geda can have it all:
1) A two-way link to the mechanical engineering world.
2) A straight forward way to beautiful images -- via scripted import/export to blender format
3) Stay untainted on the license side.

---<)kaimartin(>---