Sharing 3DEXPERIENCE design data outside your CAD environment isn’t always straightforward. Suppliers may not use the same tools. Customers and suppliers often don’t have CAD access. Internal stakeholders may only need to review, not design.

In many cases, teams fall back on screenshots, static drawings, or sending native CAD files that recipients can’t open. That slows reviews, creates version confusion, and increases the risk of sharing more data than intended.

One way to simplify this process is by publishing 3DEXPERIENCE models as template-driven, interactive 3D PDFs using Tech Soft 3D's SpinFire Convert solution.

Why Use 3D PDF to Share 3DEXPERIENCE Data?

Publishing 3DEXPERIENCE data as a 3D PDF addresses several common challenges in design collaboration, from accessibility to IP protection:

Make Design Data Accessible Beyond CAD

Once created, a 3D PDF can be easily shared with anyone who doesn’t use 3DEXPERIENCE. PDF is a lightweight and widely recognised format, making it easier to email and less likely to be blocked by security filters than native CAD files.

Anyone with Adobe Acrobat Reader can open the file and interact with the 3D model. Users can rotate, cross section, and isolate components without needing CAD software.

Share Model-Based Definition More Clearly

3D PDFs can include Model-Based Definition (MBD) data from 3DEXPERIENCE, such as product manufacturing information (PMI), Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), annotations, and dimensions. This allows manufacturing information from the native CAD model to be shared in a more accessible format.

For organisations looking to go paperless by reducing reliance on paper drawings, publishing to 3D PDF supports a clearer, more streamlined digital process.

Create Complete Technical Data Packages

A 3D PDF can function as a Technical Data Package (TDP) by combining the interactive model with supporting documents. Files such as Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, and videos can be attached to provide additional context alongside your CAD data.

Because SpinFire Convert uses Dassault Systèmes APIs instead of reverse engineering, the exported data in the 3D PDF output reflects the original 3DEXPERIENCE model accurately.

Protect IP When Sharing Models

For organizations concerned about intellectual property (IP) protection when exporting design data from 3DEXPERIENCE, 3D PDF files can be password protected for additional security, ensuring that your data is only accessible by selected users.

There may also be situations where a model needs to be reviewed, but sharing the native CAD file is not appropriate due to access or security constraints. 3D PDFs provides an interactive representation of the 3D design without distributing the source CAD file. Context and design intent remains without security constraints.

Reduce Manual Work and License Costs

3D PDFs can be quickly published from 3DEXPERIENCE using tools like SpinFire Convert by Tech Soft 3D. By publishing 3D PDFs, this removes the need to manually reformat data, recreate views, capture screenshots, or convert files for different systems.

Only the user publishing the 3D PDF requires a 3DEXPERIENCE license. Recipients only need a free PDF reader, which removes the need for additional CAD access to reduce license costs.

How to Publish 3D PDFs from 3DEXPERIENCE

The 3D PDF document can be created directly from within 3DEXPERIENCE in a simple and intuitive process that makes sharing your 3DEXPERIENCE data easy.

For 3D PDF publishing using SpinFire Convert by Tech Soft 3D, there are two options to choose from depending on what best suits your needs.

1. 3D PDF Create: An entry-level offering that delivers familiar ‘save as’ or ’export as’ functionality, enabling users to publish to multiple branded documents simultaneously.

2. 3D PDF Enhance: For organizations needing to batch process higher volumes of technical documentation, as well as create on a more ad hoc basis.

Predefined templates are available for common outputs such as Work Instructions, Bill of Materials, and Technical Data Packages. These templates can be modified to align with internal documentation standards, or new templates can be created for specific use cases.

Request an Evaluation

Accessible to anyone, 3D PDFs are a powerful tool for sharing 3DEXPERIENCE data.

Explore Tech Soft 3D's SpinFire Convert for 3D PDF publishing solutions to learn more or request an evaluation.