PRC is a 3D file format that can be used to embed 3D data in a PDF file.

This highly compressed format facilitates the storage of different representations of a 3D model. For example, you can save only a visual representation that consists of polygons (a tessellation

Tessellation

A tessellation or tiling of the plane is a pattern of plane figures that fills the plane with no overlaps and no gaps. One may also speak of tessellations of parts of the plane or of other surfaces. Generalizations to higher dimensions are also possible. Tessellations frequently appeared in the art...

), or you can save the model's exact geometry (B-rep data). Varying levels of compression can be applied to the 3D CAD data when it is converted to the PRC format using Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat is a family of application software developed by Adobe Systems to view, create, manipulate, print and manage files in Portable Document Format . All members of the family, except Adobe Reader , are commercial software, while the latter is available as freeware and can be downloaded...

 3D.

The 3D data stored in PRC format in a PDF is interoperable with Computer-Aided Manufacturing

Computer-aided manufacturing

Computer-aided manufacturing is the use of computer software to control machine tools and related machinery in the manufacturing of workpieces. This is not the only definition for CAM, but it is the most common; CAM may also refer to the use of a computer to assist in all operations of a...

 (CAM) and Computer-Aided Engineering

Computer-aided engineering

Computer-aided engineering is the broad usage of computer software to aid in engineering tasks. It includes computer-aided design , computer-aided analysis , computer-integrated manufacturing , computer-aided manufacturing , material requirements planning , and computer-aided planning .- Overview...

 (CAE) applications.

History

• June 12, 2002 TTF Showcases PRC
• April 21, 2006 Adobe Acquires Trade and Technologies France (TTF)
• May 24, 2010 Tech Soft 3D Reaches Agreement with Adobe to Develop Adobe 3D SDK Technology
• Adobe transfer responsibility, for providing new 3D CAD translation technology within Acrobat, to Tetra 4D
• In the future, PROSTEP will also assume responsibility for the continued development of the 3D server technology integrated in the LiveCycle ES platform.
• April 11, 2011 3D PDF Consortium launch

Creation

• Adobe Acrobat
  Adobe Acrobat
  Adobe Acrobat is a family of application software developed by Adobe Systems to view, create, manipulate, print and manage files in Portable Document Format . All members of the family, except Adobe Reader , are commercial software, while the latter is available as freeware and can be downloaded...
  
   "Pro Extended" 8 and 9
• Adobe Acrobat X with 3D PDF Converter from Tetra 4D
• PDF3D version 2.0 and later, pdf3d.com

See also

• Portable Document Format
  Portable Document Format
  Portable Document Format is an open standard for document exchange. This file format, created by Adobe Systems in 1993, is used for representing documents in a manner independent of application software, hardware, and operating systems....
  
  
• Universal 3D
  Universal 3D
  Universal 3D is a compressed file format standard for 3D computer graphics data.The format was defined by a special consortium called 3D Industry Forum that brought together a diverse group of companies and organizations, including Intel, Boeing, HP, Adobe Systems, Bentley Systems, Right...
  
  
• Asymptote
  Asymptote (vector graphics language)
  Asymptote is a descriptive vector graphics language, developed by Andy Hammerlindl, John C. Bowman , and Tom Prince, that provides a natural coordinate-based framework for technical drawing. Asymptote runs on all major platforms...
  
  : Open Source PRC Writer
• The movie15 latex package enables the production of PDF documents with embedded PRC files using LaTeX
  LaTeX
  LaTeX is a document markup language and document preparation system for the TeX typesetting program. Within the typesetting system, its name is styled as . The term LaTeX refers only to the language in which documents are written, not to the editor used to write those documents. In order to...
  
  .

External links

• Acrobat 3D PRC Specification (Version 8137 (latest))
• Acrobat 3D PRC Specification (Version 7094)
• Acrobat 3D 8 documentation correction with PRC and U3D conversion formats
• ISO/TC171/SC2 N 570 E 3D use of product representation compact (PRC) format.
• PRC (Product Representation Compact) Format FAQ
• http://www.techsoft3d.com/products/HOOPS-3D-exchange HOOPS 3D Exchange libraries] from Tech Soft 3D
• http://www.pdf3d.com PDF3D-SDK PRC Generation library toolkit from Visual Technology Services Ltd.