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

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