#################### Converting 3D Models #################### Overview ======== Adobe Acrobat Pro can consume and display data from a variety of different formats. When combined with Tetra4D Converter, you extend this functionality to support many types of 3D models. A list of all supported file formats appears in Acrobat's Preferences dialog box (Select Edit -> Preferences -> Convert to PDF). Adobe® Acrobat® Pro with Tetra4D Converter can use a variety of file formats, including many types of 3D models. A list of the supported file formats appears in the Preferences dialog box (select Convert To PDF under Categories). For more information about the specific file formats supported at this time, view our datasheet at http://www.tetra4d.com/tetra-4d-converter/. You can import supported file formats directly into PDFs using the following methods: - **Converting**: This option starts with existing 3D CAD files and creates PDFs from them. This action is accessible within Acrobat in a variety of ways: using the **File > Create > PDF From File**, right-clicking the CAD file and choosing **Convert to 3D PDF**, or by dragging and dropping the CAD file into Acrobat. - **Adding with the "Insert 3D" tool**: This option allows you to place a 3D model on an existing page in any PDF. Either of these methods provides options for representing the 3D model and preserving the original structure of the model. For example, you can choose the level of detail, format, and compression. If a 3D model is in a format that Acrobat doesn't support, open the model in the application that it was created in and export it in a format supported by Tetra4D Converter. Convert 3D files into PDFs ========================== You can convert 3D and CAD files in supported formats to PDFs that have one or more pages. **Conversion settings:** - The default preset works best for most types of conversion; however, you can change these settings or select a different preset before or during the conversion. - To view and/or edit your default conversion settings before you convert a file, open the Acrobat Preferences dialog box. In Categories, select Convert To PDF, select a file format, and click Edit Settings. You can also change this right before your file converts in the Converter settings dialog box. **Conversion format:** - 3D files are converted as either PRC or U3D data streams and then stored in the resulting PDF file. - The file format of the 3D file determines which entities you can import to the PDF. .. note:: If your Windows computer uses an integrated video adapter, make sure that your video driver is relatively up to date to ensure that the 3D content renders correctly and as quickly as possible. You can usually obtain updated video driver software from the website of your video card or computer manufacturer. Converting 3D files =================== 1. To create a simple PDF document based off of a single 3D file, within Acrobat choose File -> Create -> PDF From File… Select the 3D source file that you desire and click Open. 2. To create a PDF document based off of multiple 3D files, within Acrobat choose File -> Create -> Combine Files into a Single PDF. This will bring up a dialog box that allows you to either drag and drop your 3D files or add them using the Add Files dropdown menu. Each 3D file will be displayed on a separate page or a PDF Portfolio. Refer to Acrobat help for more information about PDF Portfolios. 3. In the Tetra4D Converter Conversion dialog box, select the preset or individual settings you want to use, and click OK. **Note:** From the desktop, you can also drag a 3D file into Acrobat Pro (or onto the application icon) to create a single-page PDF file. Create a PDF template for 3D files ================================== To give 3D PDFs a consistent layout and structure, you can create a PDF template that contains a placeholder for a 3D model. Create the template in any application as long as it has the ability to be saved as a PDF file. After you create a template, select it in the Tetra4D Converter Conversion dialog whenever you convert a 3D file to PDF. 1. In an Office 2003 document, click the Save to PDF button on the PDF toolbar. In an Office 2007/2010 document or newer, click the Create PDF button on the Acrobat ribbon. 2. Open up the PDF in Acrobat Pro. 3. In the Tetra4D Converter tool area, choose Add 3D. 4. Select any 3D CAD file. This step creates a placeholder for your 3D conversion. To use this template when you convert a file, click the Document tab in the Tetra4D Converter Conversion dialog box. If the template name is not displayed in the Template PDF section, click Browse to find and select/open it. Convert a 3D file using PRC settings ==================================== Use PRC settings to create a PDF that contains Product Manufacturing Information (PMI), polygon settings or tessellation, and geometry or b-rep (boundary representation). After you create the PDF, you can export geometry to standard file formats that most CAD, CAM, and CAE applications read. Within Acrobat choose File -> Create -> PDF From File… Select the 3D CAD file, and click Open. 1. In the Tetra4D Converter Conversion dialog box, click the Import tab. 2. To import Product Manufacturing Information (PMI) with the 3D model, select 3D PMI & Views. You can import PMI from CATIA V5, I-DEAS, JT, NX (Unigraphics), Creo (Pro/ENGINEER), and SolidWorks files. This option is available only if the model contains PMI. 3. To replace the fonts used in PMI, click Fonts, select Always Substitute, specify the font, and click OK. 4. If you select Always Substitute, you remove any reference in the PDF to the font used for PMI. If you leave Always Substitute unselected, Acrobat substitutes any missing fonts. If the original fonts become available, they are used to display PMI. PRC B-rep (Solid) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Retains only the geometry information of the 3D model. This option produces the smallest files, but polygons must be regenerated each time the file is opened. PRC B-rep + Tessellation ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Retains the geometry of the 3D geometry and any saved polygon settings. If the 3D model doesn't include polygon settings, they're generated from the geometry during conversion. PRC Tessellation (Faceted) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Retains the polygon settings of the 3D model or generates new polygons based on the geometry. 1. Select a level of detail. To set precise measurements, select either User Defined (for visualization) or Controlled Precision (for STL printing), and then click Advanced. 2. (Optional) To apply compression, select a PRC compression option. If you plan to export geometry, leave Compress B-rep to unselected, or set the value to 0.001 mm. **Note:** Compressed PDFs are smaller but take longer to open than uncompressed PDFs. To save time, compress only when you have to—after PDF conversion: Right-click the 3D model, and choose Optimize. This option is available only in PDFs that were converted using PRC settings. When you secure a 3D PDF that contains geometry, avoid settings that restrict editing and printing the PDF. Otherwise, it disables the option to export geometry. Convert a 3D file using U3D settings ==================================== 1. Within Acrobat choose File -> Create -> PDF From File…. Select the 3D CAD file, and click Open. 2. | In the Conversion dialog box, click the Optimize tab, and choose a U3D conversion setting from the 3D Format In PDF menu: | **U3D ECMA 3** | Ensures compatibility with Acrobat 8.1 and later and Adobe Reader® 8.1 and later. | **U3D ECMA 1 (Reader 7.0 Compatible)** | Ensures compatibility with Acrobat 7.0 and later and Reader 7.0 and later. 3. Select a level of detail. To set precise measurements, select either User Defined (for visualization) or Controlled Precision (for STL printing), and then click Advanced. 4. (Optional) For U3D ECMA 3 conversion, select Mesh Quality and specify a percentage. 5. Specify other options as needed and click OK. About PRC and U3D conversion formats ==================================== When you create a PDF from a supported 3D file, the PDF stores 3D data as either PRC or U3D (Universal 3D) format, depending on the settings you choose. Whether PRC or U3D settings are available in the Tetra4D Converter Conversion dialog box depends on which 3D application created the file you're converting. PRC is a 3D format that lets you create different representations of a 3D model. For example, you can save only a visual representation that consists of polygons, or you can save the geometry that the model is based on. You can apply compression during conversion to decrease file size, or afterward in Acrobat Pro. By using PRC, you can create PDFs that are interoperable with Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) and Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) applications. U3D is an open standard format adopted by ECMA International used primarily for visualization and publishing purposes. U3D settings are available for most CAD files created in digital content creation applications. These settings are also available for most CAD files created in mechanical engineering applications. Benefits of PRC format ---------------------- * Allows storage of large CAD files to PDFs that are a fraction of the original size. * Supports post-conversion compression for faster loading. * | Can represent Product Manufacturing Information (PMI), also referred to as Geometric | Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) or Functional Tolerancing and Annotation (FT&A). * Can retain geometry for reuse in CAD, CAM, and CAE applications. Benefits of U3D format ---------------------- * Supports animations.