BIOS: Technology Means Business

Adobe is shipping Acrobat 3D, new software that extends document-based 3D design capabilities. Using Acrobat 3D and Adobe’s Reader (free PDF reader), project teams can more quickly and securely complete communication processes that require 3D visualisation.

With Acrobat 3D, design engineering, technical publishing and creative professionals in manufacturing industries such as automotive, aerospace and industrial machinery, as well as the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) market, can convert 3D models from a wide variety of major computer-aided design (CAD) formats and embed them into Adobe PDF files - regardless of whether they have CAD software.

The capabilities of Acrobat 3D go much further, enabling you to enhance the interactivity of 3D objects in PDF documents by editing lighting, adding textures and materials, and creating animations such as assembly and disassembly instructions. You can then enable suppliers, partners and customers to participate in a more efficient document review process simply using Adobe’s Reader.

Many companies capture screen shots of materials from our CAD software for use in various documents, but 2D views don’t completely convey all the details of designs. Acrobat 3D could allow those companies to integrate 3D models into marketing and product maintenance documentation, enabling readers to more easily understand how components work together. The ability to more securely communicate CAD data in Adobe PDF - through the free and essentially universal Adobe Reader - should also help democratise 3D.

In addition, technical publishing and creative professionals can use Acrobat 3D to help increase their productivity by inserting 3D models into Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files. They can then publish them as more secure PDF documents. better user experience for their clients.

Acrobat 3D joins the Acrobat family that includes Acrobat 7.0 Professional, Acrobat 7.0 Standard and Acrobat 7.0 Elements. Acrobat 3D is the most comprehensive software in the product line, including all of the functionality of Acrobat 7.0 Professional, and much more.

Acrobat 3D is immediately available in English, French and German language versions. The Japanese language version is expected to be available in February 2006. The product has an estimated street price of $995. Registered users of Acrobat 7.0 Professional and Acrobat 6.0 Professional can upgrade to Acrobat 3D for estimated street prices of $545 and $699, respectively.

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