PRC (file format)

{{Short description|File format for 3D graphics}}

{{for|the Palm OS file format|PRC (Palm OS)}}

{{Infobox file format

| name = PRC

| icon =

| iconcaption =

| icon_size =

| screenshot =

| screenshot_size =

| caption =

| _noextcode =

| extension = .prc

| _nomimecode =

| mime = model/prc

| type code =

| uniform_type =

| conforms_to =

| magic =

| developer = ISO TC 171 SC 2

| type = 3D visualization

| released =

| latest_release_version =

| latest_release_date = 2014

| genre =

| container_for =

| contained_by = PDF

| extended_from =

| extended_to =

| standard = ISO 14739-1:2014

| open = Yes

| url =

}}

PRC (Product Representation Compact) is a file format that can be used to embed 3D data in a PDF file.

This highly compressed format facilitates the storage of different representations of a 3D model. For example, it is possible to save only a visual representation that consists of polygons (a tessellation), and it is also possible to save the model's exact geometry (B-rep data). Varying levels of compression can be applied to the 3D CAD data when it is converted to the PRC format using Adobe Acrobat 3D.

The 3D data stored in PRC format in a PDF is interoperable with Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) and Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) applications.

History

The PRC file format was first presented by TTF (Trade and Technologies France) in 2003 at DMS in Tokyo.{{cite web |url=http://www.ttf-group.com/articles/PRC_US.pdf |title=TTF Showcases PRC |date=June 12, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040416095437/http://www.ttf-group.com/articles/PRC_US.pdf |archive-date=April 16, 2004 |url-status=dead}} In 2006, the TTF company was acquired by Adobe Systems.{{cite web |url=http://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/pressroom/pressreleases/200604/042106TTF.html |title=Adobe Acquires Trade and Technologies France |date=April 21, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060423120246/http://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/pressroom/pressreleases/200604/042106TTF.html |archive-date=April 23, 2006 |url-status=dead}} In 2014, the PRC file format was approved as an international standard (ISO 14739-1:2014).{{cite web |url=https://www.pdfa.org/new/prc-now-published-as-iso-14739-12014/ |title=PRC now published as ISO 14739-1:2014 |website=PDF association |first=Duff |last=Johnson |date=December 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706102809/https://www.pdfa.org/new/prc-now-published-as-iso-14739-12014/ |archive-date=July 6, 2017 |url-status=live}}

Software to create PRC

  • Adobe Acrobat "Pro Extended" 8 and 9.
  • Adobe Acrobat X and XI with 3D PDF Converter from Tetra 4D.[http://www.tetra4d.com/ Tetra 4D]
  • CrossCad/Ware from Datakit: SDK for developers to add PRC writing functionalities to their software.[https://www.datakit.com/en/crosscad_ware.php Datakit - CrossCad/Ware]
  • CrossManager from Datakit: Software to convert 3D formats to PRC.[https://www.datakit.com/en/cross_manager.php Datakit - CrossManager]
  • Feature Manipulation Engine.[http://www.safe.com/fme/format-search FME]
  • Geomagic Design.[http://www.geomagic.com/en/products/design/overview Geomagic Design]
  • HOOPS Exchange libraries from Tech Soft 3D.[http://www.techsoft3d.com/products/hoops/exchange Tech Soft 3D]
  • PDF3D, version 2.0 and later.[http://www.pdf3d.com/ PDF3D]
  • PROSTEP PDF Generator 3D.[http://www.3dpdf.com/ PROSTEP AG]
  • SOLIDWORKS allows saving of files to 3D PDF containing PRC since release 2015.
  • 4D Publish, a plugin for Cinema 4D.[https://www.plugins4d.com/4DPublish 4D Publish]

Viewer

See also

References

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