U3D and PRC are both 3D file formats that can be used to embed 3D models and assemblies in a PDF container file. A 3D PDF file can contain precise geometry representation (B-Rep), Tessellated (triangulated) presentation of B-Rep geometry, Assembly structure and PMI (3D annotations).
PRC (Product Representation Compact) have been created in 2002 by TTF (acquired by adobe in 2011). PRC format is now published as an ISO standard (14739-1:2014).
U3D (Universal 3D) was defined by "3D Industry Forum" consortium including diverse group of companies and organizations (Intel, Boeing, HP, Adobe Systems, Bentley Systems,Right Hemisphere and others).
PRC is generally prefered due to the following benefits:
- Shape definitions for NURBS
- Triangle mesh compression
- Annotations, PMI, Markup (missing on U3D)
- Complex Assemblies
- ISO Standard
CAD Interop distributes several softwares to view, translate and compare 3D PDF files. Find below the list of our solutions compatible with 3D PDF format: