So far, I've covered two providers of the utopian dream of a paperless environment. Both those providers, Bluebeam and Anark, utilize the latest in PDF technology (3D and 2D) in order to realize the paperless dream.
Months ago, TechSoft 3D announced that it was acquiring tetra4D. Although not too significant for the end user, the announcement marks the beginning of the scramble to MBE. While CAD companies focus on the cloud, documentation companies are focusing on MBE. How can this democratized CAD data be shared with the entire value stream?
As mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships continue in the 3D PDF front, a normalized standardization should start to emerge. This is important for the end user because without it 3D PDF files will be as un-interoperable as native CAD data. What's the point of having an ISO standard file format if users still need specialized software to view it?
Certainly, events happened prior to the TechSoft/tetra deal that could mark the beginning. For example, Geometric Ltd. invested in Anark; the United States Department of the Navy (NAVAIR ) released a document stating their intent to utilize 3D PDF (PRC format) along with STEP for acquisition of technical data packages; and MIL-STD-31000A was released going even further than ASME Y14.41 for model based design. But each of these events was just one independent brick laid next to another independent brick. The TechSoft/tetra deal is the first time the bricks were put together. The point is, companies are heavily investing in the future of MBE. It's more than just lip service.
And, that's what matters to users. The promise of the paperless environment was made decades ago. But now it appears the time has finally come. Granted, it's by using an electronic paper format so I can sarcastically say not technically paperless, but at least you could be saving a few trees and improving your design process by investing in 3D PDF technologies. If you're interested in a roadmap, Anark and Geometric Ltd. are hosting a webinar this week.