# Models in 3D PDF

**URL:** <https://forums.sketchup.com/t/models-in-3d-pdf/48712>\
**Category:** SketchUp\
**Created:** [July 21, 2017, 4:57pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/models-in-3d-pdf/48712 "2017-07-21T16:57:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 8\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ntxdave](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/ntxdave/32/12096_2.png) [@ntxdave](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/ntxdave)\
**Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 4:57pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/models-in-3d-pdf/48712/1 "2017-07-21T16:57:52Z")

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Does anyone publish their models in 3D PDF?

If so, what software do you use to generate the 3D PDF?

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**Author:** ![filibis](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/filibis/32/28737_2.png) [@filibis](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/filibis)\
**Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 6:31pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/models-in-3d-pdf/48712/2 "2017-07-21T18:31:10Z")

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It has been discussed in the forum a lot.  
Check these:

> [@Output to 3d PDF](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/output-to-3d-pdf/8547/2):
>
> try the [Simlab 3D PDF](http://extensions.sketchup.com/en/content/simlab-3d-pdf-exporter-sketchup) or the [RenderPlus 3D PDF](http://extensions.sketchup.com/en/content/rps-3d-pdf) plugins for doing this.

> [@How do I export SketchUp files to 3D PDF preserving layer information?](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/how-do-i-export-sketchup-files-to-3d-pdf-preserving-layer-information/46015/3):
>
> Also there is an alternative free method: [Design Spark Mechanical software](https://www.rs-online.com/designspark/mechanical-download-and-installation) imports .skp files directly (version 2014) and exports 3D pdf with layers etc. You can also use the software to edit geometry. [image]

> [@Do 3D "PDF's" exist?](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/do-3d-pdfs-exist/41054):
>
> I am a race director. I am advancing my field by using Sketchup to model elements of start areas, courses and finish areas in 3D then sharing those models in Google Earth using geolocate. I am currently modeling the BAA Boston Marathon finish line. I can create these models but the problem is sharing them due to the memory size of the models. I’ve used the Clean extension and other tricks like geolocation and exporting to KMZ to compress the models but the processing still bogs down on the re…

> [@3d pdf Creation](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/3d-pdf-creation/35325):
>
> Is there any way to make a 3d pdf with SketchUp? Windows 7 SketchUp Pro 2017

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**Author:** ![ntxdave](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/ntxdave/32/12096_2.png) [@ntxdave](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/ntxdave)\
**Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 6:28pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/models-in-3d-pdf/48712/3 "2017-07-22T18:28:08Z")

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After some research and testing, I am finding generating 3D PDFs can be very useful, they are not a good option for sharing on a website. Most of the browses will not display them. You can provide links to download them but not view them properly within the browser. Apparently IE 11 is the only browser that still allow the user to view them inline correctly.

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**Author:** ![jordano](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/34f0e0/32.png) [@jordano](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/jordano)\
**Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 7:29pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/models-in-3d-pdf/48712/4 "2017-07-24T19:29:04Z")

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Dave.

Check out [www.Tetra4D.com](http://www.Tetra4D.com). They support over 20 CAD formats to 3D PDF. These are the guys that took over 3D PDF from Adobe years ago. There have some cool new tools with a plugin called Enrich also you should check out.

You can view 3D PDF with FireFox and Safari, you just have to set Adobe Reader as the default. The guys from Tetra have a free mobile viewer in the Google play store too.

Jordan

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**Author:** ![ntxdave](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/ntxdave/32/12096_2.png) [@ntxdave](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/ntxdave)\
**Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 9:21pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/models-in-3d-pdf/48712/5 "2017-07-24T21:21:44Z")

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Thanks Jordan, it is an interesting program. Several similar features as SimLab. However, I did not see the ability to add animations. Maybe it is there and I just missed it. The SimLab Composer software also give the ability to convert my models to WebGL but I like looking at other software. No one piece seems to fit all environments. I did see many interesting features with Tetra4D.

After doing a little more research, it seems to me that I might want to go down the WebGL road a little more than the 3D PDF. A lot of obstacles on that one since you can no longer play them in a browser window.

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**Author:** ![ntxdave](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/ntxdave/32/12096_2.png) [@ntxdave](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/ntxdave)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 10:04pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/models-in-3d-pdf/48712/6 "2017-07-25T22:04:06Z")

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I just took a second look at them and also talked to them online and the only SketchUp file types they support at least on their list) is ifc and wrl files. I am exchanging emails with them so if I come up with any further information, I will pass it along.

I have suggested to them that they should look into supporting SketchUp. 🙂

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**Author:** ![gsharp](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/gsharp/32/25083_2.png) [@gsharp](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/gsharp)\
**Post date:** [October 10, 2017, 1:56pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/models-in-3d-pdf/48712/7 "2017-10-10T13:56:25Z")

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Also $$$$$ - I usually immediately bypass any website that has the line

“for pricing talk to our sales representative”

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/original/3X/f/2/f2a121500b085ed60806607a82720b092d800bb3.png) [@system](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [January 10, 2018, 5:56am UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/models-in-3d-pdf/48712/8 "2018-01-10T05:56:51Z")

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