Firstly, we need to ascertain what a 3D PDF is; a 3D PDF is an interactive lightweight document. It is an effortless way to share rich engineering data with non-CAD users. It that can be used as a technical data package and can combine a variety of data types, including an interactive representation of 3D CAD data, all in a standard PDF.
Depending upon the use case, 3D PDF gives access to CAD geometry, annotations, measurements, and bills of materials (BOMs) and more.
3D PDF is a vessel to display CAD inside of a PDF (a Portable Document Format file, developed by Adobe and accessible via the Adobe Reader application) without the need for CAD.
The PDF format is neutral and provides information in a manner independent of application software, hardware, and operating systems. In larger organisations, corporate IT will restrict access to the installation of new software applications which can cause a barrier to adopting new technology.
3D PDF however, means that there is no specialist software to install. Only the authors of the content (CAD users) need access to the CAD application and integrated 3D PDF publishing tools. Everyone else just needs the free Adobe Reader which is often on every work-place computer as part of a standard setup.
When engineering departments need to collaborate with other departments or the wider supply chain, their 3D CAD files are often too large for transfer. It is rare that the consumers of this content need access to the full-fidelity 3D CAD, so a secure ‘lightweight’ representation, contained within a PDF file, is an ideal solution.
PDF uses its’ own compression (a bit like a .zip or .rar file) which in most cases make the document suitable for email. By not transferring the original BREP (Boundary Representation) CAD you are not putting your IP at risk.
Using 3D PDF adds an increased level of data security, so intellectual property is protected. Did you know that a PDF file can also be password protected? A CAD file cannot.
Of course, there are other low-cost ways to consume the 3D CAD in a lightweight format. Siemens have the JT2Go application, for which there is no cost, and JT has the benefit of being an ISO standard. Additionally, Microsoft has a free 3D viewer, which allows a user to view an FBX file. But there are limitations.
These are applications, although free, will need to be installed. Whilst these applications allow you to view the 3D model, in a lightweight format, they do not have the same functionality available to the users of 3D PDF, for example product manufacturing information (PMI) required for production.
The real power of what is achievable using 3D PDF is via document templates. For example, a work instructions 3D PDF can interactively take a user step-by-step through the assembly/disassembly of a product a step at a time providing all the guidance that they require. Other examples, all of which can be templated, are requests for quotations, technical data packages or engineering change requests. You can access sample templates here: https://www.theorem.com/3dpdf/3dpdf-samples
If you are looking for an easy way to share 3D Design data with non-CAD users, and want to learn more about 3D PDF, please visit www.theorem.com/publish
