Challenge to you all working with Descartes/Point cloud/stm with draped raster models, that have/had trouble to create an presentation to use with Adobe reader as an 3d pdf output

Hi Tom,

I like this original approach of saying that something in our software is not working as expected :)

Could you explain a bit more what is your trouble about creating a presentation to use with Adobe reader as an 3d pdf output?

If I remember well creating a 3D PDF with a huge STM having draped raster resulted in poor viewing performance of the 3D PDF in Acrobat Reader. Unfortunately the draped raster resolution is not directly configurable, for viewing or for printing.

Though maybe for printing some setting related to material/texture might have an influence on the raster resolution?

HTH,

Mathieu

Hi Tom,

I like this original approach of saying that something in our software is not working as expected :)

Could you explain a bit more what is your trouble about creating a presentation to use with Adobe reader as an 3d pdf output?

If I remember well creating a 3D PDF with a huge STM having draped raster resulted in poor viewing performance of the 3D PDF in Acrobat Reader. Unfortunately the draped raster resolution is not directly configurable, for viewing or for printing.

Though maybe for printing some setting related to material/texture might have an influence on the raster resolution?

HTH,

Mathieu

Hi Mathieu

First, there is absolutely nothing wrong with functionality in Descartes (...but...some new function wouldn´t hurt to get :) ).

This issue is more about the problem to distribute the product you have created within Descartes (see my dataset) to non cad client. The client wan´t to use the result you created as meeting material for projects and also use it as delivery material for discussion basis with Consultants. The media that this distribution is done  is almost always Adobe pdf.

To create 3D models as in data set is done in minutes but to get out a 3D pdf so the client can use it, is taking hours or is even not possible at all.

Like in the dataset example, the output 3D pdf is over 100mb, done with the same settings in reduce_size_3D.pdfcfg file used to print maps and ortophotos.

This result file at 100mb can´t even be opened on the clients laptop therefor I need some suggestions from others that has done this or know how to reduze size with right settings done to the pltcfg driver or to Microstation. These settings is for generating 3D stm models with draped ortophotos as 3D pdf:s , NOT for Printing.

The value of generating an 3D model:

Often as in the case with the dataset is when the developers 2D paper plan with desired heights in their interest area doesn´t match the reality of the real ground. Mostly these kind of discussions of right and wrong done from both sides "municipalitys cityplanners and developers with their consultans"  is only done in 2D paper copys of the site.

These discussions can take hours. but with the 3D model done by Descartes/Point cload/stm (and Terrasolid Products) the arguments about the site issues is done in seconds (hard to argue with reality :) ).

Hope this explain the "challenge" better :)

//Tom

Hi Tom,

My first thought was to suggest the use of our i-model plugin for Acrobat Reader (see www.bentley.com/.../imodel+plugin+adobe+reader.htm for more information), but draped raster on a STM is currently not supported by an i-model.

I'm not really sure how the 3D PDF print process works but doing some quick tests I have found that most of the time is taken by the printing of the draped raster data. Have you tried using a low resolution representation of your raster data (i.e. : could be generate with the Descartes' merge tool) instead of the original raster data for the print?

HTH,

Mathieu

Hi Mathieu

No I have not tested with lower resolution, that should be the LAST thing I do.

What I have tested is to lower the quality in pdfcfg file and also output dpi to low as 75dpi but all my effort has resulted in a reduzed output size of Little over 50% (54 mb) of the original 100mb. I don´t have any more ideas it seems that the draped raster doesn´t change whatever settings I try to use.

The settings/options in printer manager, is there some of those that has any effects on draped raster.

Question:

Is the draped raster the same element type as regular raster.

any more ideas??

//Tom

Hi Tom,

No, unfortunately the draped raster is not the same element type as regular raster, in fact, it is not even an element, but materials created on the fly under the hood. So unless there is an option related to the texture resolution of material there is not much that can be done for the draped raster part, thus my proposed workaround.

I'll check with one of my colleague who knows better then me the 3D print side of the equation. Maybe he will have some suggestions.

Thanks,

Mathieu

Thanks Mathieu

Questions that needs to be sorted out (in my mind) about this issue if no god solution excist.

1. Is there or have there been any discussions/ plans in your team about solving these issues (deliver the results of Products created in Descartes/Point cloud/stm with draping with other media than MS)

2. Why doesn´t i-models suport draped stm:s (i-model has been around for long time now)

3. Could there be som other "free" open media type formats that could be better suited for these kind of publishing Products that could be added to descarted.

Starting with these 3 to begin with.

//Tom