Anyone know a way to convert a textured poly model to a 3D PDF for free? Eventually I will purchase the necessary software from Adobe. But right now I just need to provide a sample to a client. I don't want to purchase anything up front in case they decide not to go down the PDF road.

Adobe provide trial software that's normaly fully active for 30days, is it not there http://www.adobe.com/downloads/?promoid=JZEFS

Martin

Simlabcomposer has a 3D PDF version : 99 $ ;)
http://www.simlab-soft.com/3d-products/simlab-composer-compare-editions.aspx

 

http://meshlab.sourceforge.net/

here you can make free pdf 3D but i Believe thet is not so easy :)
Now you can create pdf, like this with 3D objects with just MeshLab and LaTeX.

Sweet. Do all these programs support texture mapping?

Hi Shaun,

i bought SimLab Composer, the PDF vers. a while ago and yes, it imports textures from Collada or FBX files for example.

Regards
Stefan

Object have their original textures
Look the house at minute 1.45

Thank you very much!

In simlab, can you load multiple textures at once and switch them like layers? My client if looking for ways to display 2D artwork projected onto 3D objects durring sales meetings.

thanks

In the 3d PDF edirtion you have
"Advanced Material Management"
but there is no library as indicated in the board!

http://www.simlab-soft.com/3d-products/simlab-composer-compare-editions.aspx

Not that i'm aware of. However you can make instances of an object and then assign a different texture to the instance. And then switch objects on or off in your scene browser, Best is if you download a trial and see for yourself. But this all happens of course in SimLab and not in your final 3D .pdf.

Regards
Stefan

Sorry, you can of course create different materials and then in the material browser you could switch between them and hit the apply button, so no instances needed.

Regards
Stefan

I think what my client is ultimately looking for is a way to easily display different graphics on 3D models I have created and UV Mapped without going back to me to render each one.

She would even like her customers to be able to import their own graphics and have them show up on the model. I think a 3D PDF is as close as I'll get.

Hello,

You might want to check out Motiva Colimo. It's a post processing tool and doesn't act directly with meshes, but might be useful to show many different variations quickly.

Thanks for all the sugestions. I added this info to my quote for further research and consulting and they were very please. This is one of the best 3D forums on the internet!