Inserting Placeholder 3D Models into Existing PDFs

An option for inserting 3D PDFs is to insert a placeholder 3D model into that report.

Info

If you want to put a FULL PAGE 3D PDF into an existing PDF file, the steps below are not required. Merely use the Prepend, Append or Insert at Page options.

Using whatever software you wish, begin by leaving a blank space on the appropriate page where you’ll want the 3D model to be placed. The image below shows this in Microsoft Word:

Document with blank space for 3D model in Microsoft Word Document with blank space for 3D model in Microsoft Word

Output the document to PDF in a normal manner (e.g. Save as PDF).

Open the PDF file in Adobe Acrobat Pro DC

PDF document opened in Adobe Acrobat PDF document opened in Adobe Acrobat

Choose Tools, Rich Media, Add 3D

Add 3D option in Adobe Acrobat tools Add 3D option in Adobe Acrobat tools

Select a rectangular area where you wish to place the 3D Model.

Selecting the area for the 3D model placement Selecting the area for the 3D model placement

When done, it will prompt you for a file name. Click the Browse button and navigate to the ctech.u3d file:

Browsing for the U3D placeholder file Browsing for the U3D placeholder file

Select ctech.u3d and the Open button.

This will insert the placeholder 3D model into your document.

Placeholder 3D model inserted into the PDF Placeholder 3D model inserted into the PDF

Repeat this process if you need additional 3D PDFs in the same document or save. You are now ready to replace your placeholder with a 3D PDF.