Forums >> Revit Building >> Technical Support >> 3D PDF from Revit, Navisworks or 3D DWF

cpavelko

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Hello,

I am trying to find a way to create a 3D PDF file from our design model done in Revit.I attached an example file pulled from the bentely website of a 3D model with an animation and bookmarks as an example. I am just looking to create my 3D Site Logistics Model with bookmarks and a key off to the side in a PDF, so it is easy for everyone to view and understand, and interact with a 3D model vs a 2D snapshot of it. I dont see a solution to this as a dwf because it doesnt combine multiple views as a 2D/3D PDf does, which I would like.

From my current research right now is 3D PDF's run off OpenGL, and Revit steered away from OpenGL to Direct3D back in Revit 2008, so the 3D capture tool will not work for this. I assume Navisworks and Design Review is the same.

Where I am stuck currently is creating the u3d file (3D PDF model) from my design model. One work around was RVT-> IFC -> u3d, but then i loose my color in the model. If anyone has experience with this, let me know.

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cpavelko

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cpavelko

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Just came across this:

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/Autodesk-Revit-Architecture/3D-PDF/td-p/2843148

Looks like the Acrobat 9 Pro Extended version supports *.3DS file conversion, but not Acrobat X. That looks like it requires a converter shown below which doesnt support 3DS files. (see link below).

http://www.tetra4d.com/3D-PDF

http://www.tetra4d.com/docs/3D_PDF_Converter_Supported_File_Formats_12_21_2010.pdf

So workflow i need to try is Revit -> 3DSMax -> 3DS file _> Import into Pro Extended.

Still would like anyones input with experience with this.

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WWHub

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You can combine 2D and 3D DWF's as well as adding excel spreadsheets, word documents etc.  Just drag and drop them into an open DWF file.

Some of the advantages of the DWF is that you can use the component index to highlight and find elements, you can hide or make transparent elements and you can cut sections.

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cpavelko

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I understand that, and use Design Review often. PDF's are more widely used, and you cant have one sheet with interactive (on page view links, animations etc) 2D and 3D views which I would like. I will need to spend sometime to test some of these methods listed above out, and will let everyone know. From what I see right now, no one has a clear way of doing this.

Thanks,

Chris

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cpavelko

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Well, I got it to work

Revit -> 3DSMax -> Acrobat 9 Pro Extended

RVT -> FBX -> 3DS -> Save as a 3D PDF

Problem is the file doubled in size.

Went from 89 MB Revit file to 125 MB FBX file to a 209 MB 3DS and PDF file.

Overall, its possible, but way too large. If there is a way to drop the size down, it would be worth doing.

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TimProof

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Okay,

 First, clarity.

3D.pdf employs the U3D engine (reader uses various rendering engines changeable in settings).

 Second, easiest and cheapest way to get Revit>3D.pdf

1. Export dwf (note NOT dwfx).

2. Open in Deep View and ensure rendering mode is Open GL (Free to download from Right Hemisphere http://www.righthemisphere.com/products/deepview/downloads/6.3.3/DeepView_6.3.3.8069_Complete.exe)

3. Use  Adobe Acrobat Pro Extended to 'Create PDF via 3D capture' to capture.

Alternatively you can use ADR (Autodesk Design Review) pre 2010 and ensure that the renderer is set to OpenGL and that you are viewing the model from DIRECTLY BELOW

Acrobat Pro. Ex. is supposed to open dwf files and can unless there are railings or topography meshes (Like any revit model use these!). Railings are generally found several hundred meters away from the rest of the model so you cannot 'see' any geometry unless to select via the model tree so you can see a faint red highlight.... Another annoying side effect of dwf is that often the Y and Z planes are swapped, i.e. your model is on its side. Deep view ensuresthe the scene is upright, and translates quickly.

 Other formats out of Revit that are supported by Acrobat Pro. Ex./3D Reviever (ships with Acrobat P. E.) are .IFC, .dwg, .dxf and .sat files, all of which have problems relating to size and broken geometry. IFC is the most reliable, though huge in size.....

 If you need animations or pretty colouring you can use Deep Exploration (US$4k of so) which imports .dwf directly and maintains the model hierachy (same as seen in ADR) and all object metadata. Deep Exploration is a great package, though quite buggy when applying to Construction/Architecture (as it is designed for manufacturing).

Hope that helps ;-)

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lukej2000

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Easy way -

http://whatrevitwants.blogspot.com/2011/09/create-3d-pdf-files-from-autodesk-revit.html

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TimProof

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cpavelko

You can store multiple views in a dwf. There is a handy dandy 'save' view button (top right of 'views' palette, or home>view). You can navigate to the shot you want, including sections, moving parts, exploding, etc, then save the view, then rename the view something meaningful. It does require a little more work, though the result is much more robust that 3D.pdf.

I hope I made my last 3D pdf today. I have spent over a year with this format, and I loathe it!! dwf is much more light weight, and responsive.

Peace

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EricOlson

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I use Acrobat 10 with the tetra4d add in. works great for us. (I'm adding a 3d pdf for you to check out). Its crude, because I have a 2mb limit in attachements. But, does what I need. (I did have to export to DWG, then pick up with AMEP - export to IFC from there to keep from getting my whole Revit model exported - but wasn't too painful)

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TimProof

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I have a medium CAD machine at home; i7930, 6GB DDR3 RAM, 1GB GDDR5 GFX, etc and this model turns to bounding boxes when spun (mainly the light fittings). I find that most clients don't have fast machines, with decent GFX cards, and the pdf experience is tainted because of it.

I have attached a very early pdf, before I learned to animate cameras/objects properly. My more recent stuff is confidential. Click the 'Building Tour' button to see the building. Alternativelt you can click either 'Top Story Walk' or 'Botton Story Walk' and change the navigation mode to 'walk' (again, I hadn't learnt how to set the nav modes) to cruise each level.

Can you export a dwf and see how much smaller ir is? Design Review handles models much better, and has a more robust markup and measurement system (unfortunately the lighting in dwf is bung).

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lukej2000

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And here is how to convert a 3D DWF to a 3D PDF http://whatrevitwants.blogspot.com/2...ctly-from.html

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