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About PRC and U3D conversion formats
When you create a PDF from a supported 3D file, the PDF stores 3D data as either PRC or U3D (Universal 3D)
format, depending on the settings you choose. Whether PRC or U3D settings are available in the Acrobat 3D
Conversion dialog box depends on which 3D application created the file you're converting.
PRC is a 3D format that lets you create different representations of a 3D model. For example, you can save only a
visual representation that consists of polygons, or you can save the geometry that the model is based on. You can
apply compression during conversion to decrease file size, or afterward in Acrobat 3D. By using PRC,
you can create PDFs that are interoperable with Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) and Computer Aided
Engineering (CAE) applications.
For a complete list of the file formats for which PRC settings are available, see http://www.adobe.com/go/kb401105.
U3D is an open standard format adopted by ECMA International used primarily for visualization and publishing
purposes. U3D settings are available for most CAD files created in digital content creation applications. These
settings are also available for most CAD files created in mechanical engineering applications.
Benefits of PRC format
• Allows storage of large CAD files in PDFs that are a fraction of the original size.
• Supports post-conversion compression by Acrobat 3D.
• Can represent Product Manufacturing Information (PMI), also referred to as Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing
(GD&T) or Functional Tolerancing and Annotation (FT&A).
• Can retain geometry for reuse in CAD, CAM, and CAE applications.
Benefits of U3D format
• Supports animations.
• Editable in Adobe Acrobat 3D Toolkit.
Acrobat 3D conversion settings
In the Acrobat 3D Conversion dialog box, you can specify settings for converting 3D models for PDFs on various
tabs, or you can choose a preset from the menu.
Note: Whether or not the Acrobat 3D Conversion dialog box appears during the 3D conversion or insertion process
depends on the selection status of the Don't Display Dialog During Conversion option at the bottom of this dialog box.
ADOBE ACROBAT 3D VERSION 8
User Guide
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