PDF creator with 3D CAD support targets engineers

A new version of Adobe`s Acrobat PDF (portable document format) creation software is targeting engineers by supporting 3D CAD files for the first time. Version 7.0 of the software not only allows users to create PDF files from CAD software such as AutoCAD, but it also allows other people to add comments to the CAD diagrams without needing the CAD software themselves. These comments can then be exported back into the CAD program.

Files produced in AutoCAD or Visio keep their layers in the PDF conversion. Users can create a single PDF from several AutoCAD layouts. In addition, users of Bentley MicroStation software can produce PDF documents that keep level information, engineering links, and security options.

Acrobat 7.0 supports the Universal 3D (U3D) format developed by Intel and the 3D Industry Forum, allowing users to see and interact with 3D CAD diagrams without needing masses of background engineering data.

When complex files are converted to PDFs using Acrobat 7.0 Professional, measurement scales and other elements are preserved. Users can measure areas, distance and perimeters in a document and export these to a spreadsheet for calculations such as materials costs.

Acrobat CAD files can be combined with other Acrobat documents such as Web pages, spreadsheets, Word documents, images and emails, to create a single PDF document for a project, which can be shared or archived.

You do not need the full version of Adobe Acrobat 7.0 Professional to add comments to a PDF. Clients and other members of the engineering team can do this using the free Adobe Reader version of the program.