Berkshire, U.K. - Visual Technology Services released its PDF3D Software Development Kit 1.7.0, enabling users to publish technical scientific sequences as interactive 3D PDF documents.
An enhanced XML template specification file conversion server combines sequences of 3D models representing fluid flow or changing stress patterns to a single 3D PDF composite document with a toolbar allowing users to control the 3D animation. Signaling major release functionality, the PDF3D SDK version 1.7.0 includes the following new features:
- Transient Scientific Model sequences
- Articulated Rigid Body Animation
- XML animation specification System
- Control toolbar inside PDF to control animations
- Many additions to XML Server key-word controls
- Improvements to VRML, Coin3D interfaces, VRML interface now on Linux
- 32-bit Microsoft Visual Studio and Linux platforms
- Many bug fixes and internal improvements
The PDF3D SDK version 1.7.0 includes Articulated Rigid Body Animation classes and controls, using key-frames to specify movement of objects, using SLERP (Spherical Linear Interpolation) based on quaternion 3D transformations. Key-frame animation is enabled through a flexible XML specification system.
Transient scientific models, where values and shapes change over time, are now set up as animation cycles with individual frame timing. This is
especially useful for engineering dynamics, fluid flow, weather and medical diagnostic reports. Collections of 3D model files can be converted to animation cycles by using wild-card XML filename assemblies. At each model cycle, a time-tag string can be added (such as microseconds or months) for time annotation during playback.
A control toolbar is added next to the 3D view inside the PDF file using VCR-like controls to control animation playback, pause and step through individual frames. The XML Server, used to perform file conversions and generation of 3D PDF files, has a dramatically extended set of keyword controls.
PDF3D SDK 1.7.0 is used by scientists, engineers, researchers and software vendors to enable improved communication through the PDF standard, with immediate availability. The release comes with a complete suite of interfaces, ready-to-use applications, source code examples, and full documentation. PDF3D-SDK is available for OEM/ISV integration within commercial products and server deployment.