User Guide

Tips for best capture results
When using Acrobat 3D to capture 3D models from CAD applications, do the following:
● Make sure that the 3D CAD application is set to use OpenGL. Note that some 3D
applications do not support OpenGL. For example, if you want to capture a 3D model
from Acrobat 3D Toolkit, choose Display > Display Renderer > OpenGL in Acrobat 3D
Toolkit. Most applications support more than one rendering method, but capture works
only with OpenGL.
● Prepare the 3D model for capture by removing unwanted parts and adding lighting or
other effects. Remove any artifacts, such as compasses, product trees, or xyz coordinates
from the 3D model. In some cases, these artifacts are captured. In addition, disable
backface culling and use a plain background.
● Adjust the OpenGL settings in Acrobat 3D for untested applications (applications not
tested by Adobe). Applications tested for capture include the following: 4DNAV, CATIA
V4, CATIA V5, Deep Exploration 3.5/4.0, DMU, I-DEAS, Inventor, NX 3.0, Rhino 3D,
Solid Edge, SolidWorks, and VisView / VisMockup.
When capturing 3D models in Microsoft Windows, Acrobat 3D creates a preset with the
correct settings for tested applications. When capturing from untested applications, you
may need to change OpenGL capture settings. These settings are located in the OpenGL
panel of the 3D Capture Settings dialog box. This dialog box appears when you attempt to
capture a 3D model.
Similarly, when capturing on a UNIX platform, you may need to change OpenGL capture
settings. These settings are located in the Acrobat 3D Capture Utility when you choose
Tools > Options, and then click Edit Settings.
The following table lists the default OpenGL settings for untested applications:
CAD Application Frame Buffer Mode View Transform Mode
3ds max/viz Clear Event No Matrix
ABAQUS/CAE Swap Buffer Event Last Matrix
AutoCAD and AutoCAD Mechanical Swap Buffer Event Last Matrix
AutoStudio Swap Buffer Event Last Matrix
eDrawings Clear Event No Matrix
Gocad Swap Buffer Event First Matrix
ICEM Surf Swap Buffer Event No Matrix
Maya Clear Event No Matrix
Mechanical Desktop Swap Buffer Event Last Matrix
MicroStation Flush Event No Matrix
Multiphysics Swap Buffer Event Last Matrix
PAM-CRASH Swap Buffer Event Last Matrix
Pro/Desktop Clear Event First Matrix
Pro/ENGINEER Clear Event Last Matrix
Revit Swap Buffer Event No Matrix
RobCAD Swap Buffer Event No Matrix
Unigraphics Swap Buffer Event Last Matrix
For more detailed information on changing settings in 3D CAD applications to get the
best capture results, see the "Configuring 3D CAD Applications for Capture" PDF
document (English only) on the Adobe website at www.adobe.com.