The first version of Acrobat 3D relied on Intel's U3D open format to contain the 3D data. This is a tessellated approximation of the model and Adobe included a number of clever ways to capture and convert 3D CAD models, or in fact any OpenGL 3D into a U3D enabled PDF file. To do this, Adobe licensed technology from Right Hemisphere and bought a company called OKYZ. The first version of Acrobat 3D was valiant first attempt but U3D lacked broad industry support and it didn't handle large data sets particularly well.
For the second version, based on Acobat Version 8, Adobe has raised the bar by purchasing a dedicated CAD file format translation company, TTF. The company is well known in the CAD industry for providing high-end 3D translators for products like Dassault Systemes CATIA and UGS's NX. At the heart of TTF's technology is a highly compressed, yet accurate format called PRC, which Adobe sees as the the main prize of the acquisition. Adobe has incorporated these into the new Acrobat 3D. U3D remains in the software for 'technical docs' and the creation of animations, meanwhile PRC will provide an 'industrial strength' solution for those that want to do model translation or manufacture.
Last month Adobe let some information leak out, stating that the next release of Acrobat 3D would also offer data translation to STEP, IGES and Parasolid formats. In addition, the software would import CATIA, Pro/E, SolidWoks, UGS NX and I-DEAS. In reality the new version does a lot more than just import and view, Acrobat 3D is now a veritable 'Swiss Army Knife' CAD product that can find uses in multiple workflows.
One of the key new features is the inclusion of PMI (Product Manufacturing Information, such as tolerances) in the PDF display, these are now included in the conversion, making Acobat 3D an interesting option for the shop floor - especially now it can work well with CATIA, Pro/E and NX data.PMI data can be extracted and maintained from CATIA V5, I-DEAS, NX, PRO/E and JT.
While the new Acrobat PDF has ben beefed up on its file capabilities, the interface has seen some subtle but useful enhancements. The previous version shipped with a Toolbox utility product that was licensed from Right Hemisphere which provided a product to prep and animate U3D files for inclusion in PDFs. I understand this product hasn't changed significantly and still only supports U3D models. Models captured as PRC have to be converted to tessellated U3D, for this kind of post processing.
During my briefing, Adobe was keen to point out that PDF can be a single format used across a complete industry, playing a role in design, collaboration, interoperability, planning, tech publications, catalogues, data sheets, field service and spare parts management. Of course Acrobat 3D also gives you the feature set of Acrobat V8 Professional which was released late last year.
On paper the new release of Acobat 3D certainly does look very impressive. PRC files can be anything from 150X to 1000X smaller than the CAD original file. The mature translators of TTF now inside Acrobat means that PDF will be very useful in Automotive and Aerospace firms and associated supply chains. Adobe has also introduce some PLM-like data capture with this release to aid the formats integration into enterprise systems, raising the possibility of PDF being an archival format for enterprise engineering information. Inclusion of PMI data is obviously a big improvement on the last release and the new translation capability to neutral standards will hopefully stabilize our industry's somewhat roving standards. There was also some mention of accommodating Autodesk's DWF format.
I hope to download my copy in the next few days and try out all the features. There will be an in-depth review in the forthcoming MCAD magazine (March)
