3D PDF

Tekla Structures
Modified: 11 Dec 2023
2024
Tekla Structures

3D PDF

You can export the current model or the selected model objects as a 3D PDF file. The 3D PDF allows you to easily communicate your work to others: all the receiver needs is a PDF reader that supports 3D PDFs.

When you open the resulting 3D PDF file in a PDF reader, the 3D PDF looks exactly like the original 3D design. You can explore the model using the tools available in the PDF reader.

Note:

We recommend that you use Adobe Acrobat Reader, as all PDF readers do not support the 3D PDF format.

Export a model or selected model objects as 3D PDF

  1. In modeling mode, click File > Export > 3D PDF.

  2. Enter the desired filename and browse to the folder where you want to save the file.
    By default, the 3D PDF file is exported to the \PDF folder under the current model folder.
  3. Check the other options on the File, PDF, and Model content tabs, and adjust the options to suit your needs.
    For more information about the settings, see section "3D PDF export settings" below.
  4. If you want to export some objects only, select the objects in the model, and select Selected objects as the Scope of export. To export the whole model, select All objects.
  5. When you are ready, click Publish.
    The 3D PDF file is exported to the export folder you defined. A message is displayed when the model has been converted.

3D PDF export settings

Setting Description
File tab
Cover page Browse for a suitable PDF cover page.
View PDF after export Open the 3D PDF in a PDF reader after the export.
Open the folder after export Open the 3D PDF export folder after the export.
Create U3D file only Export as a U3D file. The Universal 3D (U3D) format is a compressed file format standard for 3D computer graphics data.
PDF tab
Additional property sets Select the IFC property set configuration file to include in the export. The properties defined in the property sets are shown in the model tree together with the standard part properties. The property sets can be defined in the IFC Property set definitions dialog box.

To show the additional properties in the PDF model tree, you need to select the Include part attributes option.

Include fasteners

Include fasteners in the export.

Include reinforcement

Include reinforcement in the export.

Include welds

Include welds in the export.

Include grids

Include grids in the export

Include part attributes

Include part properties in the export. When you select this option, and select a part in the model tree or in the PDF, the part properties will be displayed in the model tree.

When you have selected this option, the additional properties are shown in the model tree as well if you have selected a property set configuration file in Additional property sets.

Export as assemblies Automatically select the corresponding assembly of the objects for the export.
Use current view colors Use the colors in the model view in the exported 3D PDF.
Tree view Select how to show the model content in the model tree: by model phases (Per phase) or by model objects (Per part name).
Solid accuracy Show the solids with normal or high accuracy.
Model content tab
Page size Select the desire page size.
Page orientation Select the desired page orientation (Landscape or Portrait)
Background Define the background color.
Light definition Select the desired extra light effects. The options are:

Artwork

None

White

Day

Night

Hard

Primary

Red

Cube

CAD

Headlamp

Rendering mode Select the desired rendering mode. The options are:

Solid

Solid wireframe

Transparent

Transparent wireframe

Bounding box

Transparent bounding box

Transparent bounding box outline

Wireframe

Shaded wireframe

Hidden wireframe

Vertices

Shaded vertices

Illustration

Solid outline

Shaded illustration

Title Enter a title for the PDF. The title is shown in the PDF properties.
Subject Enter a subject for the PDF. The subject is shown in the PDF properties.
Author Enter the author of the PDF. The author is shown in the PDF properties.

Below is an example of a 3D PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro. The model content is listed in the model tree by phases.

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