Can’t 3D Formats Just Get Along?

Posted On: April 28th, 2008 by Andy
Filed Under: Tags: 3D, CAD, COLLADA, ietm, imi, PLM, xml.

If you have ever tried to build training material from CAD models, then you likely ran smack into the barriers facing 3D interoperability. While there has been movement toward open source standards in this space, notably with 3D XML and COLLADA, for PLM vendors interoperability is still largely a family affair. In other words, if you are building your airplane using our tools, here is a format and tool suite we offer to allow you to build technical publications and other training content designed for remote deployment in Adobe and Microsoft document wrappers, as well as web browsers.

You have to like Google getting behind COLLADA with their 3D Warehouse and recent funding for Mac and Linux support. And with the availability of COLLADA support for Autodesk 3DS Max (via plug-ins) and Right Hemisphere, work flow in the DCC (Digital Content Creation) world should be a reality for this format.

Do you have experience developing IETMS (Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals) or other IMI (Interactive Multimedia Instruction) in either COLLADA or 3D XML formats? I would be interested to learn about your experiences.

-Andy

Jet Fighter Model courtesy Turbosquid.com

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