Adobe Portable Document 3D

Use

You can publish files to the Adobe Portable Document (.pdf) format with PDF Publishing.

Developed by Adobe, it's used for representing documents in a manner that is independent of the original application software, hardware, and operating system used to create those documents. A .pdf file can describe documents containing any combination of text, graphics, and images in a device independent and resolution-independent format.

Most 3D content contained within these files is converted to the Universal 3D (.u3d) format. This format was adopted by Adobe and is required and used as the 3D publishing format in Adobe Acrobat.

For information regarding 3D interactivity within PDF documents, see the Adobe Acrobat Professional Help delivered with Adobe Acrobat 3D.

Features

This format contains export options. You can use them to customize the way in which your file is published.

Export Interface

Field	Functional Description
PDF Template and Target	Used to view and select the template on which to base the new PDF document. Preview: Displays a preview of the selected template Name: The names of the available templates Description: The description of the selected template Use External Template: Selects the external template on which to base the PDF document. File Name: The file name and path of the template Browse: Browses for and selects the template. 3D Model or 2D Image Target: Selects the target location of the model or image in the PDF document Field Name: The name of the field in which the graphic displays. For example, 3D_Annotation1 Refresh: Refreshes the display Start Adobe Acrobat after Publishing: Opens Adobe Acrobat and displays the PDF document after the file is exported to the .pdf format. Note The Adobe application that opens depends on what is installed on your computer.
Publishing Options	Additional settings relating to all publishing 3D Publishing Options: Additional settings relating to 3D models. These options determine the way in which the 3D model displays, whether the 3D model is activated when the PDF is opened, and whether associated model views are included. Preview Image: Determines what displays in the 3D model area of the PDF. Raster Image via Software Z-Buffer Render: Creates a hybrid file using the Software Z-buffer renderer Raster Image via Ray-Trace Render: Creates a hybrid file using the Raytracer renderer. Note that this option isn't suitable for a 3D model with callouts. External Raster Image: Displays an external raster image instead of the 3D model External Vector File (in PDF): Displays an external vector image instead of the 3D model Vector Image via Illustration Module: Displays the image as a vector illustration of the current view of the scene. Otherwise, the image is displayed as a raster illustration. Raster Image via DirectX Render: Creates a hybrid file using the DirectX renderer Settings: Opens the appropriate Settings window, and is used to establish settings for the type of publishing option that you've selected. This option isn't available when Preview Image is set to either of the external publishing options. External Image File: The file name and path of the external raster image. This option is only available when Preview Image is set to External Raster Image or External Vector File (in PDF). Browse: Used to browse for and select the file. This option is only available when the Preview type is set to External Raster Image. Use Optimal U3D Settings: Nominates optimal U3D settings. If unchecked, the current U3D export settings are used for export. Texture Quality: Nominates the quality of the textures in the file Save Normals: Saves all normals. Note that opting to save normals results in an increased file size. Store Metadata: Saves all associated metadata Extrude PMI Arrows: When enabled, flat PMI arrowheads are converted into 3D arrowheads for better visibility. Enable PMI Highlight: When enabled, resulting PDF contains PMI highlight association with faces, lines, and points. When user clicks on PMI, the associated object is highlighted. Note that Vectorize Callouts must be set to Vector and Store Metadata enabled. Vectorize Callouts: Selects the way in which callouts display in the PDF. Standard: Callouts are converted to meshes, with no further action. Note that callouts move with the camera. Vector: Converts billboard style callouts to the vectorized equivalent, creating a separate object for each callout Raster: Callout body is an image of the callout. Publish Current 3D Scene Background Image: Publishes an associated background image Publish External 3D Scene Background Image: Publishes a selected external file as a background image for the 3D scene External File: The file name and path of the external raster image. This option is only available when Preview Image is set to External Raster Image or External Vector File (in PDF). Browse: Used to browse for and select the file. This option is only available when the Preview type is set to External Raster Image. Activate 3D model: Automatically activates the 3D model when the PDF document is opened. Otherwise, the 2D image is displayed. Show Toolbar of 3D model: Shows or hides the 3D toolbar in Adobe Acrobat. Save Cameras to Adobe Acrobat: Saves all cameras within the file for viewing in Adobe Acrobat Save Model Views to Adobe Acrobat: Saves all model views within the file for viewing in Adobe Acrobat Mark all Callouts as PMI objects: Automatically converts all the callouts in the file into PMIs, to place the callouts in front of the object in the scene. Note that the Preferred 3D PMI Rendering Mode setting in the Adobe Acrobat Preferences, needs to be set to Always Render 3D PMI in front of Model. Minimize Java Code Generation: Automatically minimizes the amount of Java code generated. 2D Image Publishing Options: Additional settings relating to 2D images. These options determine the way in which the 2D image displays. Image Format: The way in which the 2D image displays in the published PDF. Raster image via Software Z-Buffer Render: Creates a hybrid file using the Software Z-buffer renderer Raster image via Ray-Trace Render: Creates a hybrid file using the Raytracer renderer Vector image via 2D PDF Module: Displays the image as a vector image. Otherwise, the image is displayed as a raster image. Note that this option is only available for 2D vector .DWG or .DWF files. Vector image via Illustration Module: Displays the image as a vector illustration of the current view of the scene. Otherwise, the image is displayed as a raster illustration. Raster image via DirectX Render: Creates a hybrid file using the DirectX renderer Settings: Opens the appropriate Settings window, and is used to establish settings for the type of publishing option that you've selected.
PDF Specific	Additional settings relating to all models and images XFDF file name: Attaches an XFDF file containing data to autofill fields in the PDF during publishing. Browse: Browses for and selects the file. Attachments: Attaches files to the PDF during publishing (Word, PowerPoint, CATIA, any file on disk) Doc Level JS: Adds custom JavaScripts to the PDF at document level Page Level JS: Adds custom JavaScripts to the PDF at page level 3D Level JS: Adds custom JavaScripts to the PDF at 3D level Add Watermark with the Following Text: Creates text on a printed watermark Watermark Text: The text to print in the watermark. Password Protect Editing of PDF: Sets a protection password for editing the PDF Editing Password: The protection password Password Protect opening of PDF: Sets a protection password for opening the PDF Opening Password: The protection password Enable PDF for Merging: Creates unique names for all RH Acrobat controls so that multiple interactive PDF documents can be merged together in Acrobat without causing conflicts. Metadata: Opens the Metadata window, and is used to add information to the PDF document XMP (Extensible Metadata Platform) properties.

Field

Functional Description

PDF Template and Target

Used to view and select the template on which to base the new PDF document.

Preview: Displays a preview of the selected template
Name: The names of the available templates
Description: The description of the selected template
Use External Template: Selects the external template on which to base the PDF document.
- File Name: The file name and path of the template
- Browse: Browses for and selects the template.
3D Model or 2D Image Target: Selects the target location of the model or image in the PDF document
- Field Name: The name of the field in which the graphic displays. For example, 3D_Annotation1
- Refresh: Refreshes the display
Start Adobe Acrobat after Publishing: Opens Adobe Acrobat and displays the PDF document after the file is exported to the .pdf format.

Note

The Adobe application that opens depends on what is installed on your computer.

Publishing Options

Additional settings relating to all publishing

3D Publishing Options: Additional settings relating to 3D models. These options determine the way in which the 3D model displays, whether the 3D model is activated when the PDF is opened, and whether associated model views are included.
- Preview Image: Determines what displays in the 3D model area of the PDF.
  - Raster Image via Software Z-Buffer Render: Creates a hybrid file using the Software Z-buffer renderer
  - Raster Image via Ray-Trace Render: Creates a hybrid file using the Raytracer renderer. Note that this option isn't suitable for a 3D model with callouts.
  - External Raster Image: Displays an external raster image instead of the 3D model
  - External Vector File (in PDF): Displays an external vector image instead of the 3D model
  - Vector Image via Illustration Module: Displays the image as a vector illustration of the current view of the scene. Otherwise, the image is displayed as a raster illustration.
  - Raster Image via DirectX Render: Creates a hybrid file using the DirectX renderer
- Settings: Opens the appropriate Settings window, and is used to establish settings for the type of publishing option that you've selected. This option isn't available when Preview Image is set to either of the external publishing options.
- External Image File: The file name and path of the external raster image. This option is only available when Preview Image is set to External Raster Image or External Vector File (in PDF).
- Browse: Used to browse for and select the file. This option is only available when the Preview type is set to External Raster Image.
- Use Optimal U3D Settings: Nominates optimal U3D settings. If unchecked, the current U3D export settings are used for export.
- Texture Quality: Nominates the quality of the textures in the file
- Save Normals: Saves all normals. Note that opting to save normals results in an increased file size.
- Store Metadata: Saves all associated metadata
- Extrude PMI Arrows: When enabled, flat PMI arrowheads are converted into 3D arrowheads for better visibility.
- Enable PMI Highlight: When enabled, resulting PDF contains PMI highlight association with faces, lines, and points. When user clicks on PMI, the associated object is highlighted. Note that Vectorize Callouts must be set to Vector and Store Metadata enabled.
- Vectorize Callouts: Selects the way in which callouts display in the PDF.
  - Standard: Callouts are converted to meshes, with no further action. Note that callouts move with the camera.
  - Vector: Converts billboard style callouts to the vectorized equivalent, creating a separate object for each callout
  - Raster: Callout body is an image of the callout.
- Publish Current 3D Scene Background Image: Publishes an associated background image
  - Publish External 3D Scene Background Image: Publishes a selected external file as a background image for the 3D scene
  - External File: The file name and path of the external raster image. This option is only available when Preview Image is set to External Raster Image or External Vector File (in PDF).
  - Browse: Used to browse for and select the file. This option is only available when the Preview type is set to External Raster Image.
- Activate 3D model: Automatically activates the 3D model when the PDF document is opened. Otherwise, the 2D image is displayed.
- Show Toolbar of 3D model: Shows or hides the 3D toolbar in Adobe Acrobat.
- Save Cameras to Adobe Acrobat: Saves all cameras within the file for viewing in Adobe Acrobat
- Save Model Views to Adobe Acrobat: Saves all model views within the file for viewing in Adobe Acrobat
- Mark all Callouts as PMI objects: Automatically converts all the callouts in the file into PMIs, to place the callouts in front of the object in the scene. Note that the Preferred 3D PMI Rendering Mode setting in the Adobe Acrobat Preferences, needs to be set to Always Render 3D PMI in front of Model.
- Minimize Java Code Generation: Automatically minimizes the amount of Java code generated.
2D Image Publishing Options: Additional settings relating to 2D images. These options determine the way in which the 2D image displays.
- Image Format: The way in which the 2D image displays in the published PDF.
  - Raster image via Software Z-Buffer Render: Creates a hybrid file using the Software Z-buffer renderer
  - Raster image via Ray-Trace Render: Creates a hybrid file using the Raytracer renderer
  - Vector image via 2D PDF Module: Displays the image as a vector image. Otherwise, the image is displayed as a raster image. Note that this option is only available for 2D vector .DWG or .DWF files.
  - Vector image via Illustration Module: Displays the image as a vector illustration of the current view of the scene. Otherwise, the image is displayed as a raster illustration.
  - Raster image via DirectX Render: Creates a hybrid file using the DirectX renderer
- Settings: Opens the appropriate Settings window, and is used to establish settings for the type of publishing option that you've selected.

PDF Specific

Additional settings relating to all models and images

XFDF file name: Attaches an XFDF file containing data to autofill fields in the PDF during publishing.
Browse: Browses for and selects the file.
Attachments: Attaches files to the PDF during publishing (Word, PowerPoint, CATIA, any file on disk)
Doc Level JS: Adds custom JavaScripts to the PDF at document level
Page Level JS: Adds custom JavaScripts to the PDF at page level
3D Level JS: Adds custom JavaScripts to the PDF at 3D level
Add Watermark with the Following Text: Creates text on a printed watermark
Watermark Text: The text to print in the watermark.
Password Protect Editing of PDF: Sets a protection password for editing the PDF
Editing Password: The protection password
Password Protect opening of PDF: Sets a protection password for opening the PDF
Opening Password: The protection password
Enable PDF for Merging: Creates unique names for all RH Acrobat controls so that multiple interactive PDF documents can be merged together in Acrobat without causing conflicts.
Metadata: Opens the Metadata window, and is used to add information to the PDF document XMP (Extensible Metadata Platform) properties.