PRC (file format)

For the Palm OS file format, see PRC (Palm OS).

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

PRC

Filename extension	.prc
Internet media type	model/prc
Developed by	ISO TC 171 SC 2
Type of format	3D visualization
Contained by	PDF
Standard	ISO 14739-1:2014
Open format?	Yes

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.^[1] In 2006, the TTF company was acquired by Adobe Systems.^[2] In 2014, the PRC file format was approved as an international standard (ISO 14739-1:2014).^[3]

Software to create PRC

• Adobe Acrobat "Pro Extended" 8 and 9.
• Adobe Acrobat X and XI with 3D PDF Converter from Tetra 4D.^[4]
• CrossCad/Ware from Datakit: SDK for developers to add PRC writing functionalities to their software.^[5]
• CrossManager from Datakit: Software to convert 3D formats to PRC.^[6]
• Feature Manipulation Engine.^[7]
• Geomagic Design.^[8]
• HOOPS Exchange libraries from Tech Soft 3D.^[9]
• PDF3D, version 2.0 and later.^[10]
• PROSTEP PDF Generator 3D.^[11]
• SOLIDWORKS allows saving of files to 3D PDF containing PRC since release 2015.
• 4D Publish, a plugin for Cinema 4D.^[12]

Viewer

• Adobe Reader 8 and later

See also

• Portable Document Format
• Universal 3D
• Asymptote: Open Source PRC Writer
• glTF - a Khronos Group file format for 3D Scenes and models.

References

1. "TTF Showcases PRC" (PDF). June 12, 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 16, 2004.
2. "Adobe Acquires Trade and Technologies France". April 21, 2006. Archived from the original on April 23, 2006.
3. Johnson, Duff (December 18, 2014). "PRC now published as ISO 14739-1:2014". PDF association. Archived from the original on July 6, 2017.
4. Tetra 4D
5. Datakit - CrossCad/Ware
6. Datakit - CrossManager
7. FME
8. Geomagic Design
9. Tech Soft 3D
10. PDF3D
11. PROSTEP AG
12. 4D Publish

External links

• Acrobat 3D PRC Specification (Version 8137 (latest))
• Acrobat 3D PRC Specification (Version 7094)
• Acrobat 3D 8 documentation correction with PRC and U3D conversion formats
• ISO/TC171/SC2 N 570 E 3D use of product representation compact (PRC) format.
• PRC (Product Representation Compact) Format FAQ
• HOOPS Exchange libraries from Tech Soft 3D
• PDF3D SDK PRC generation library toolkit from Visual Technology Services Ltd.
• 3D PDF Converter from tetra4D supports the import and export of PRC files from multiple formats.
• PROSTEP PDF Generator 3D - A server-based solution used to automate the generation of 3D PDF documents with embedded PRC streams.
• ISO 14739-1:2014 Document management—3D use of Product Representation Compact (PRC) format—Part 1: PRC 10001
• The media9 LaTeX package enables the production of PDF documents with embedded PRC files using LaTeX.
• 4D Publish - A plugin for Cinema 4D that exports the scene as a PRC file and embeds it into a 3D PDF document.
• Teigha PRC library from ODA supports content creation and data access for PRC format and enables exporting a .dwg or .dgn file to PRC.