Create 3D PDF online Free | Any 3D CAD file (48 supported file formats)

In the previous post I shared a trick about how to convert any 3D file to U3D format (with textures embedded) for free, to be used in Adobe Acrobat  (AA requires U3D ECMA 1 files, you can check this in the help page, as http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat3d/supportedformats/ no longer works) 

I mostly use 3D PDF to share my Sketchup 3D files esp buildings exteriors since 3D PDF allows many interesting features and options like render styles, measuring tools, sections etc... After searching the Extension Warehouse, a few appear in the results like Simlab PDF , and RPS , the approx cost is $100 for a two computer license, similar plugins are only for Sketchup not worth buying since it's only a matter of U3D format...or may be not

 

The most known way to create free 3D PDF files -if you are under Windows- MikTeX or U3D-2-PDF (that requires Meshalab & MikTeX) to automate the conversion of .STL & .VRML files (.WRL) files to 3D-PDF, -if you under Mac- TexShop and MacTeX / BasicTeX  (movie15.sty required) lot of tutorials are available online but textures remain an issue.

If you want to create a 3D PDF really quick and in one single click online without downloading any software, and without converting to the U3D format, use Glovius you can directly upload any of the 48 supported file formats, the free subscription plan offers 100mb of space every month and you can share up to 10 files online, here we are going to use it as an online 3D PDF converter and not for sharing.

The good news, is that you can extract textured 3d models from any 3D PDF! just upload the PDF file that contains your 3D model and chose from the available download formats (3DS, OBJ, COLLADA or STL).

The conversion is really quick and easy, after registration you can upload files from your Dropbox/Box account or just drag and drop your 3d file from your computer, chose the desired output format (download as) and hit Upload. -in this example I used a Sketchup file-

Glovius 3D model Upload

Once your model is uploaded and converted, click on the thumbnail to be able to download it in the format that you chose during upload.

Glovius Navigation - Download

Delete unused files once the conversion is finished to save space and you're done ! it's free forever and you can use it as an online converter form 3D CAD to 3DPDF and vice versa.