FM9 and 3D images in PDFs

[Alison Craig]

Right now I only use static images that have been culled from SolidWorks for me by one of the Mechanical Engineers (I don't use SolidWorks myself and have no time - or intention - to learn how.) If I could get the images myself, that would be a plus and if I could use them as 3D images, so much the better for the field Service guys.

When the digital PDF is used, the 3D images allow the Service Techs to move them around so they can better understand exactly what is going on with the parts they are servicing. I can also give them a series of 3D images that slowly undo all the relevant parts.

If you're interested, this links to a short video that shows the kind of things I'm supposed to be able to get: http://www.hawkridgesys.com/products/3dvia-composer/

Alison
________________________________
From: Steve Johnson [mailto:chinaski69 at gmail.com]
Sent: February 16, 2011 11:22 AM
To: Alison Craig
Subject: Re: FM9 and 3D images in PDFs

In the long long ago, I imported CAD drawings as either EPS or whatever CorelDRAW saved them as. They weren't really 3D but it worked and showed perspective.

What is the advantage of exporting from SolidWorks (which works now?) into another program? IOW, can you continue using SolidWorks drawings like you are doing now?
On Wed, Feb 16, 2011 at 1:20 PM, Steve Johnson <chinaski69 at gmail.com<mailto:chinaski69 at gmail.com>> wrote:
What error did you get during the distill?


On Wed, Feb 16, 2011 at 1:11 PM, Alison Craig <Alison.Craig at ultrasonix.com<mailto:Alison.Craig at ultrasonix.com>> wrote:
FM 9 Version: 9.0p255
Unstructured
OS: Windows 7, 64 bit (brand new machine)
FM Experience: 22 months


Mechanical, Manufacturing, Service and Tech Comm personnel are talking to a supplier about a new piece of software called 3DVia Composer. It will take CAD drawings from SolidWorks and allow each of us to create 3D images per our individual needs. In my case I need to create 3D mechanical drawings that show how to fix certain aspects of our products. (Apparently we don't have to be able to use the CAD program to do this.)

According to the Frame 9 manual, I can use U3D files in Frame and use "Save as PDF" to create files with a 3D image.

The 3DVia guys sent me some simple samples and I couldn't get them to work as 3D images.

Compounding this is the fact that when I create the Service Manuals, I can't use "Save as PDF" because I need to accommodate files with different paper sizes in the book file (the "Print Book" then Distill option failed the 3D test as well).

I've downloaded a trial for Frame 10, but before I install it, I thought I'd try this List for help. Frame 9 suits my purposes very well and I'm not a great believer in updating just for the sake of it. Besides, as a single seat server version of 3DVia Composer is at least $8,000, the fewer other updates we need, the better chance we have of getting management onside.

Does anyone out there use 3D images in their PDFs? If so, how do you do it? Any tips you could pass along would be appreciated.

Alison
Alison Craig, Technical Writer
Ultrasonix Medical Corporation
130 - 4311 Viking Way
Richmond, BC V6V 2K9
Tel: (604) 279-8550, ext 127
E-mail: alison.craig at ultrasonix.com<mailto:alison.craig at ultrasonix.com>





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Steve Johnson, dr_gonzo at pobox.com<mailto:dr_gonzo at pobox.com>



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