3D PDF in Pro/E?

[Mindripper]

I have noticed that the last two releases of SolidWorks (2008 and 2009) support the 3D PDF format. This is totally slick, and the guys at the machine shops I use are raving about it. They can finally visualize my 3D models without dropping a bunch of coin on a 3D CAD package: all they need is Acrobat Reader 9, which is freeware. They can zoom and rotate a 3D image of a model to to their heart's delight.


I'm running WF3 at my day job, and it does not appear to support the 3D PDF format. Does WF4 support it? If not, has anyone heard of any plans for WF5 to support it?

 

[dr_gallup]

PTC has yet to get 2D PDF's right. Be careful what you wish for.

 

[dannerj]

Yes, it is in WDF4. Save a Copy -> PDF U3D

 

[Mindripper]

The best way to get 2D (standard) PDFs of drawings out of Pro/E is to use 'Save As Copy': do NOT use 'Print'. Be sure to select 'Strike Fonts', as the TrueType Fonts aren't kerned right. And you can save some file size by selecting 'Monochrome'. The default 300 dpi seems to work fine.

 

[design-engine]

I disagree about save as.... that techniqe gets my curves layer confused.Try using print and save as a plot ... .pltthen rename that file to .ps then use distiller to convert that to a .pdf

I have a script that does it.


And any 3d modeler can create a 3d pdf.
Edited by: design-engine

 

[[-Skint-]]

Yah WF4`s 3d pdf capability is actually quite good.

 

[rotorcam]

One issue I have noticed with WF4 3D PDF is that the spin center is wrong (or I am doing something wrong or it's just an Adobe problem....). So, by default, when you rotate a part, it zooms off-screen. I have to select (right click)->Part Options->Fit Visible for the spin center to center on the part (Adobe Reader 9).

 

[cristelino]

Is 3D PDF format or Edrawings format?

I agree with Design Engine.All cad software can export PDF

You can also export in EDrawings and that is a good facility.

E drawings format is something else.


Cristelino

Edited by: cristelino

 

[SW]

I have the spin centre problem too. Anyone know exactly what is going on here?

Sam

 

[orac]

The spinning problem can be solved very easily within Adobe Reader.


If you click on the model, you'll see a couple of buttons appear on top of the display. You should see some buttons like in the figure below (it can be that you have to 'open' some subbuttons to see them).





Now click on the button with the camera.
A new dialog window "Camera properties" appears (see figure below)





Enable the option "Camera and Target" and click on the button "Select Model".
Now click somewhere on the model.


Try to rotate the model now.
This should be much more convenient.


I hope this helps.


Best regards,


John Bijnens
http://cad2cam.khlim.be
Edited by: orac