Google Alerts and 3D PDF
I receive Google Alert emails on a variety of topics. Whenever Google finds new news or announcements about topics that interest me, I receive an email. Lately I’ve noticed the quantity of Google Alert emails has risen significantly.
What’s the reason for the jump? It seems there is a fast growing number of companies announcing 3D PDF support in their products (existing or future) and many firms are using Acrobat 3D to produce content for public distribution. 3D PDF seems to be the format that everyone wants to support.
Here’s just a sampling of the news I have received:
Lots of Adobe-related news written up in various CAD and Manfucturing web site: Adobe is focused on the professional CAD market. Acrobat 3D Toolkit gives you enormous levels of control over professional 3D models - it geared for professional who are familiar with high end CAD tools. Acrobat 3D 8 (at least according to the rumor mills) will even better handle this market including adding in support for PMI, export to STEP, the PRC format, and faster rendering for large assemblies.
News from other CAD companies: With the exception of a very few number of companies (e.g. Autodesk), CAD companies are starting to incorporate 3D PDF as an export option from their own applications.
Basic consumer 3D modeling packages (like Strata3D) are simply looking for a universal way to let people share their creations - no special viewers required.
Marketing product companies like Kaon are using 3D PDF to present product information. Or companies with a serious product are rendering to 3D PDF for virtual prototypes (e.g. DiMora)
Everyday consumers are using 3D PDFs to show off anything they do in 3D (such as Make Magazine and their potato shooting spud gun).
3D PDF is obviously fulfilling several needs - from the sharing of professional data for collaboration, to the simple conveying of 3D information in a format that is universally accessible. What is most interesting is the rate at which companies are rushing to support 3D PDF. Looks like there is a bit of a pent up demand for this kind of solution! I expect my Google Alerts will continue to increase in number as more companies support or use 3D PDFs.
