Placing 3D objects

Content created in 3D modeling software such as 3D CAD or other brands can be also embedded in a .pdf file, a lot like video or audio. Files exported with data to offer different views allow a user to display a wireframe only, parts of a model that are hidden, parts covered or removed, and objects rotated and manipulated, creating an experience that is very similar to handling a real object without the need for CAD application on the viewer’s computer.

Acrobat supports the U3D format very well. U3D stands for Universal 3D, a compressed file format for 3D computer graphics. It contains structure data for wireframe or mesh, light, shade, and motion.

Important note

3D PDF documents with U3D-embedded objects can be viewed in Acrobat Reader version 7 and above. The format has been around since August 2005. Initially, it was developed with the goal of becoming a standard for 3D graphics exchange. This did not fully materialize, and now Acrobat 3D creates...