How can I use a 3D CAD model in a website?

[skanskan]

Hello


Imagine I have an Sketchup, Solidworks or NX assembly model, and I want to export it or use a software to convert it to an interactive file to be used at a website.

What format or tool do you advise me to use?
Some kind of improved flash with 3D interactive capabilities.

regards

 

[looslib]

Gives us a better example of how you imagine using the model on your website.

"Wildfires are dangerous, hard to control, and economically catastrophic."

Ben Loosli

 

[KENAT]

Well, SolidEdge has a 'publish to web' function/accessory which generates a light weight 3D format and a canned web page with abilities to manipulate the model etc.

You might want to look at Adobe 3D.

For SW doesn't E drawings kind of do this?

Posting guidelines faq731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

(probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484​

 

[skanskan]

Hello

Some years ago leatherman was showing in their web its multitool knifes. You could move them, open their internal tools, fold them, rotate them, zoom them....
They don't have those graphisc anymore to show you.

 

[skanskan]

I know there are plenty of 3D engines but I but I don't know which one allows me to manipulate assemblies instead of single pieces.


Papervision3D, WebGL, Balder, Away3D, papervision3d, Flash, Wirefusion, Copperlicht... there are too many.


regards

 

[JohnRBaker]

May I suggest that, at least with respect to NX and Solid Edge, you take a look at:

http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/campaigns/xpresreview/index.cfm

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

[jhardy1]

To paraphrase the Sex Pistols (now there's something you don't see often enough on Eng-Tips!):

"How many ways to get what you want?
I use the best, I use the rest"

Check your software's capabilities to export a shareable format; e.g.:

Alibre Design

http://www.alibre.com/

can publish your Alibre 3D models as 3D PDF stand-alone, or straight into an HTML file, which you can upload to your web page. Users can then interact with the model (pan / zoom / rotate / turn components on an off, change lighting, etc).

SimLab

http://www.simlab-soft.com/

can import models from most 3D CAD packages, apply materials and lights, render them photo-real, and then export a fully rendered 3D PDF file, or other shareable formats (like Collada, Direct X, etc).

Both are very affordable options.

http://julianh72.blogspot.com

 

[skanskan]

Thanks.

Simlab seems to be a good "external" application to create different formats. But what format should I use? What is more common, powerful or versatile?

I guess all of them need that the person that browses the web page installs some special plugin, maybe except for the java 3D or pdf 3D formats.

The other option I have to try is just export as pdf

regards

 

[ntweisen]

Ckeck out 3D Via's web site. If you convert your model to a 3dxml file you can easily embed it in a website, word doc, ppt, etc.

http://excelspreadsheetshelp.blogspot.com

-

http://scripting4v5.com

 

[Walterke]

You may want to have a look at Cortona 3D. I've heard about it on a recent Siemens event and it seemed interesting (thought it might be a bit too expensive). It can be linked to teamcenter as well if you'd like that.
Perhaps John knows more about it.

NX 7.5.5.4 with Teamcenter 8 on win7 64
Intel Xeon @3.2GHz
8GB RAM
Nvidia Quadro 2000