We are always looking to see how we can improve the experience that our clients enjoy when working on projects with us.

We have invested in our collaboration systems that allow us to share information, ideas and progress on our projects.  We have embraced enhanced connectivity opportunities through Skype and teleconferencing tools.

Tools that allow non technical stakeholders to visualize 3D CAD data are the next frontier in an inclusive design process.

Come on give it a try!

Long the domain of large companies making large investments in truly integrated CAD and data integration systems there are a number of solutions that smaller organizations can use to improve understanding and facilitate collaboration between its teams without needing to take out another mortgage on the business.

In this article we will introduce you to a couple of tools that we use.

3D PDF at this stage is the best system for 3D visualization for anyone who has a copy of free Acrobat Reader 9 and later, and who doesn’t?

Just simply open the file in Acrobat Reader and you can tilt, pan, zoom and investigate many aspects of the model.

The main advantage of the 3D PDF is that annotation tools are available with the free Acrobat Reader software that can be used to make comments, share and contribute to the design process using the same sort of tools you use for 2D documents.  If you have Acrobat Professional, more tools are available that allows you to take measurements and interrogate the CAD data.

Our ProE CAD software can publish the 3D PDF files.  Alternatively, software is available from Acrobat partners Tetra that can be used to produce the 3D PDF from native CAD.

eDRAWINGS is software that creates visualization files of parts and assemblies.  Native Solidworks files or 3D CAD data saved from the native CAD application in the edrawing format as well as Autocad standard DXF and DWG files are supported.

These edrawing files can then be opened using a free viewer available for download from edrawingsviewer.com  The viewer allows you to explore the model (tilt, pan, zoom) as well as turn different models off, change the appearance of the model.

Other edrawing software packages are available to purchase that let users measure, mark-up drawings, make cross sections, move components and explode views.

If you don’t mind downloading another application this system works well.

Give these a try and next time you are speaking with us, let us know what system you prefer to use for your projects.

TRY THESE ADOBE 3D FILES FOR YOURSELF