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CAD p # 9972:

CAD
Question
% platform category

ACAD Inv Civil Revit

Create free 3D PDF output files from any CAD software.
* CAD
Many users need to export interactive 3D PDF documents from their CAD, CAE or math/scientific software package. But not all application offer direct output of 3D .pdf files.
23.8.2014 63802× FAQ
You can use the following procedure to output 3D-PDF from virtually any 3D software - and get this generator for free. The resulting PDFs may not be fully optimized as for their performance and the style control is rather limited but ... it is a free toolset. Comments Tell a friend
You will need these two free software packages:
Share the tip:
Meshlab (a 3D mesh processor)
MikTEX (a TeX/LaTeX implementation), will automatically download "movie15" and a couple of other plugins on its first run
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How to get a 3D .PDF file from your CAD model? Step by step instructions:

1. Use your usual favorite CAD/CAE tool to export your original 3D model to any of the following 3D mesh formats: OBJ, STL, VRML(WRL), PLY, X3D (you can get e.g. STL from the "3D Print" function in your CAD)
2. Start Meshlab and import the mesh file using the File > Import Mesh (Ctrl+I) function. Confirm "Unify duplicated" if prompted.

PDF to
DWG
Converter

3. Export the loaded mesh with the File > Export Mesh As
(Ctrl+E) function, select the output format "U3D File format" (.U3D). Choose a name without any spaces for the output filename!
If you process a color model, check the "Face>Color" option in the "Choose Saving Options" dialog (otherwise your PDF model will be grayscale only).
You can adjust "U3D quality" (compression ratio) to set the quality/size of your 3D PDF

Convert PDF
into editable
DWG les!

4. Start MikTeX TeXworks, use File > Open (Ctrl+O) to open the just created TEX file (created automatically by Meshlab along with the U3D file), in the top left select box switch to "pdfLaTeX" a click the green arrow to convert the file to PDF.

5. That's all - you can now open the 3D PDF file in standard Acrobat Reader

NB: You can automate this proces using U3D-2-PDF (converts STL or WRL file directly to 3DPDF).
NB2: for Revit you may need to install the "STL Exporter" plugin (Exchange Apps)
NB3: for AutoCAD and Inventor you can use CADstudio VRML Translator to create WRL files from your 3D models
Feel free to use this proces to output 3D PDF files from AutoCAD, Inventor, Revit or any other CAD software. See a sample (660kB). But please note that there are more effective ways how to present 3D CAD models, on any device - e.g. 3D DWF or cloud-based native ("format-less") Autodesk 360 viewer.

applies to: AutoCAD · Inventor · AutoCAD Civil 3D · Revit ·

See also:
Tip 11337: Convert 3D PDF files back to CAD models.
Tip 11113: 3D PDF published from Inventor 2017 come out empty.
Tip 10938: The Publish property at View representations.
Tip 10279: Which formats can be exported from configured models in Configurator 360?
Tip 9698: Data formats supported in Autodesk InfraWorks 360.

Selected tip: Revit geometry in a DWF file appears shifted in Volo View.

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