3D PDF Publishing Add-Ons

Theorem Solutions announces the release of a low-cost 3D PDF add-on for existing users of Theorem's uni and bi-directional CATIA V5 to/from NX and CATIA V5 to/from JT translators.

By purchasing the add-on, users will have the extra benefit of a 3D publishing feature which enables the output CAD or Visualization data to be published as a 3D PDF alongside the original translated format.

Theorem's Publish 3D suite of products provide the ability to publish PDF documentation containing embedded interactive 3D representations of native CAD or Visualization data, which can be viewed, manipulated and annotated by those using Adobe's freely available Acrobat Reader software.

By adding the 3D PDF publisher to the CATIA V5 to/from NX CADverter gives users three publishing options: an interactive capability (save as), the ability to batch process (on-demand), as well as support for ad hoc or volume publishing (automated). For CATIA V5 to/from JT users there are two options: the ability to batch process, as well as support for ad hoc or volume publishing.

To take advantage of the 3D PDF upgrade and to be able to benefit from the productivity enhancing solutions that the Publish 3D add-on provides, it will be necessary for users of Theorem's uni or bi-directional CATIA V5 to NX or CATIA V5 to JT translators to install CADverter V18.0 or greater. This means that an active maintenance contract needs to be in place.

Released as part of the Theorem V18.0 software suite, a new Unified Interface (UI) now gives the casual user the functionality to drag and drop native CAD and Visualization data on to the UI for translation, offers independent viewing and filtering pre and post processing.

Using the Publish 3D add-on also makes it possible to combine a range of data from internal systems and attach them as part of the process to the output 3D PDF document, making the PDF equivalent to a zip, rar or tar file so as all required files are held within a single compressed container. Native CAD and Visualization data files can be attached as can metadata from other internal systems and most common file types (i.e. Word, Excel, Tiff) which can be linked to from within the PDF or opened in their native applications (if installed).

One of the major benefit of using Theorem's Publish 3D to produce interactive 3D PDF documents is that it enables the sharing of engineering design data created in the CATIA, NX or in the JT format with departments who don't have the specialist applications or knowledge to read these types of files but who need a 3D representation of the data for use within their own documentation. All that they require is access to a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader. A PDF can be viewed on almost any platform or hardware capable of running Adobe Reader.

Being able to share engineering design data with those in your own organisation, as well as up and down the supply chain can lead to improved internal and external communication, rapid decision making and a reduction in the number of developmental errors which in turn leads to improved product and process quality and increased overall productivity.