Export shaded view to PDF

NX does not support 3D pdf. They are trying to get JT file format for a standard. So if you use JT2go you can use JT files.

If you do a search on 3D pdf on this site there is other 3rd party software that will take a Step and turn it into a 3D pdf. I do not know if it supports 3D pmi.

File/Export/PDF will export model view, but only as wireframe. The view is not shaded. At least in my NX it isn't. For this, I am using CutePDF, which is free converter to pdf.

You can create shaded views in drafting, inherit the PMI to the views, and output that as a pdf...

www.nxjournaling.com

Our intention is to use jt for out suppliers, but in this early stage we want to provide 2d as well. And we want to add pdf's in teamcenter as well. So if file-export-pdf, supported shaded views it would be great. I also want several sheets in one file. Maybe i can use cutepdf to create my pdf's and then add it to teamcenter.

Thanks for your answers

?? I understand nothing of this discussion.
If you export PDF using File - Export - PDF, you use the NX -pdf export, nothing else. ( No CutePdf nor Acrobat plugins etc.)
If you in that dialog ( bottom) turn ON the "Export Shaded Geometry as Wireframe" , any shaded views will not be shaded.
Now this is probably not 3D data in that shaded view but rather a raster image. - flat.
NX has supported shaded views in pdf's since at least NX6 , ( NX6 is the oldest version i have installed.) In managed mode as well as native.
See attached pdf.

If you intend use say CutePdf, how do you intend feed that from NX ?
I.e the plot uses a intermediate CGM file before it is converted into the desired output format.( the cgm is flat)
The Print function most probably is 2D also before it is sent forward to a print queue.

The JT format supports PMI.
NX can include PMI in the export.

Regards,
Tomas

NX only supports shaded images in PDF's if they are views on a Drawing. The reason is that we only support vector and text export to PDF's, not raster data. And while it might appear as if the shaded views on a PDF of a Drawing are 'raster' images, they are NOT. The reality is that the PDF shaded views are created using a series of horizontal lines, similar to how an 'Area Fill' is created on a Drawing, which have been created and assigned colors based on the pixals of the original Drawing view, but the data itself is NOT raster data (you can see that if you create a Drawing with a 'shaded' view using a 'Course' resolution and zooming in on the PDF image).

As for why we don't take the same approach with Model views, I assume it's because shaded views on Drawings have already been converted to 2D raster data while Model views are being shaded using the graphics engine of the Graphics card and its firmware. There actually is no raster data until it's been 'rendered', which is what happens when shaded views are added to a Drawing, the view is 'rendered' into 2D pixals. Again, I guess it could be done but it would not be very efficient and could add significantly to the time that it would take to create the PDF, and since it requires a 'conversion' it will not always come out looking the same.

Anyway, if you all think that this is critical, please contact GTAC and have them open an ER (Enhancement Request).

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.

Thanks for explaining how it really works, John.

Hopefully our suppliers quickly see the benefits with jt..

Thank You..