Publishing a PDF from SOLIDWORKS Composer

SOLIDWORKS Composer content can be published in a PDF document in three different formats:

• Universal 3D: This format displays as 3D data.
• SMG: displays an SMG file in an embedded SOLIDWORKS Composer player.
• Preview image: displays as a 2D image.

In this blog article we will talk about the steps of how to embed composer player file (3D content) inside an Adobe PDF (Reader).

STEP 1: Remove 64-bit Adobe Acrobat Reader from the system

64-bit Adobe overrides 32-bit and prevents it from running, and at time of writing this article only 32-bit Adobe supports publication from Composer.  Therefore, 64-bit needs to be removed.  You can check what the version of Adobe Acrobat Reader from Task Manager -> Process

To ensure clean removal of 64-bit version:

1. For starters, click Start button > type “control panel” > select Control Panel > Programs and Features:  look for any instances of Adobe Acrobat Reader, which will be 64-bit by default, and remove them:  right-click > Uninstall.
2. Check in C:\Program Files\Adobe    …this would be the 64-bit instance, which must be removed.  Consider deleting any data found here.
   • Note:  C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\ path is for 32-bit (x86 is the name for what has become 32-bit architecture), whereas the C:\Program Files\Adobe\ path is for 64-bit which we need to remove from the system.
3. Restart the computer.
4. Install 32-bit version from here: https://get.adobe.com/reader/otherversions/, ensuring to select 32-bit as the Version.
   
5. Re-check in Task Manager to confirm that 64-bit version (shown in above screen shot) is not running.  If Adobe Acrobat Reader (without the 64-bit callout) is running, then this part of the task is completed.STEP 2: Copy the adobe acrobat plug-in files from composer installation location to 32-bit Adobe Reader/Acrobat installation folder:

   We need Adobe Acrobat plug-in to view the PDF files containing SOLIDWORKS Composer SMG enhanced content.  This plug-in is automatically installed with SOLIDWORKS Composer or SOLIDWORKS Composer Player.

   If your colleagues do not have composer or composer player installed on their machine, they will not be able to view content in this PDF file. So, you will have to share this plug-in file with them, to view this PDF.

   This add-in works with either Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader version 7.0.7 or later.

   • When we install Composer or Composer player, plug-in files composerplayercontrol.dll and composerplayerreader.api are installed along, in the composer installation directory < C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS Composer\Plugins\acrobat\reader\plug_ins. This is default installation location. If you are using the writer then copy the files from writer folder.
   • Copy all the files to the adobe directory <C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Acrobat Reader DC\Reader\plug_ins.

   

   STEP 3: Publish to PDF

   Go to File > Publish > PDF and select SMG (enhanced content) for embedded 3d file > Save.
   

   STEP 4: Review the PDF

Lastly, open the PDF file in Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click on the area/window where you would expect the graphics to appear.  Wait a moment while it loads the content…

If Composer Player window doesn’t start, then in Acrobat go to Edit > Preferences > Security (enhanced) > Deselect Enable protected mode at start up 

You can zoom, rotate, switch views and play the animation within PDF file.

Feel free to contact Support@seacadtech.com for queries!