3d pdf files or something better?

tallbridgeguy

So, where I work we design bridges. Now our office wants to add "3D" to cadd plans. The idea is to export 3D pdf files from Microstation (expensive version of autocad..) and embed them in the pdf plans for lettings.

The quality of the models seem very low to me but we own the software and it seems very exciting to non-3D experienced engineers. (oooh it spins, I think it is a beam!)
Microstation is a pain to draw in and sketchup seems like the answer but no native 3d pdf exporter.(Now I know there are some paid extensions for 3D pdfs from sketchup)

Can Trimble make a better container that can show a decent 3D image AND make it in a format that would work in a document like a pdf or excel or word etc? Something contractors today could access in online contract documents?

Sorry if this has been answered and I missed the thread.. (I looked, no really)

Thanks!

s

d12dozr

Stuart, would something like Sketchfab work for your needs? It's not available as a document, but it's an online application and you can embed the model in many websites like you would a YouTube video. There is a Sketchup plugin to upload a model directly to Sketchfab.

tallbridgeguy

Thanks Marcus, that is really cool! I have to give that a try with a robot...

Thanks!

s