Using PDFNet to generate 3D PDF files

Q: Is U3D only method to load the 3D models and convert it into 3D PDF
in your product?
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A: Besides U3D, PDFNet can also be used to embed/extract/replace PRC
files. The procedure to embed PRC file is similar to U3D. You would
generate a PRC/U3D file using a third party library or your own code
and then create a PDF using PDFNet.

Benefits of U3D format
  • Supports animations.
  • Open ECMA standard.
  • Free reference implementations available.
  • Supported by multiple third party products.

Benefits of PRC format
  • Allows storage of large CAD files to PDFs that are a fraction of
the original size.
  • Can retain geometry for reuse in CAD, CAM, and CAE applications.
  • Will be part of the upcoming PDF specification

The only two options to create 3D PDF is using u3D or PRC. PRC format
is described in the following specification:

http://livedocs.adobe.com/acrobat_sdk/9/Acrobat9_HTMLHelp/API_References/PRCReference/PRC_Format_Specification/index.html

Unlike U3D, PRC is still faily recent, is not completely standardized,
and is not widely adopted.