Is the u3d file format no longer supported?

[josephg81571578]

I am responsible for a lab workflow that produces a number of polygon outputs for analysis.  Part of that workflow has been the conversion of the u3d file format into a pdf format using Acrobat, both for portable, accessible data as well as for sharing with the community and the public at large.  Since yesterday, however, I get an error popup saying that the file is either not supported or is corrupted.  This applies both to recently generated u3d files and to those I have previously already converted to pdf format.  This applies uniformly to Acrobat Pro DC and intermittently for Adobe X Pro.

If the format has been suspended, can someone please tell me why?  It is a valuable tool for a number of researchers in our field.

If the format has not been suspended, is there a change to the import workflow, for instance, using another Adobe program to make the model ready for pdf conversion?

[Joel Geraci]

U3D is still supported. I've tested some files that I've used in the past and they still work.

[RyanRidgely]

How long ago have you tested U3D import, and do you have the latest version of Acrobat DC. I subscribe to Adobe CC, and have the absolute latest Acrobat, and I can confirm that the U3D format is in no obvious way importable anymore.

Of course, I would love to be wrong if you know a way to get U3D's into Adobe. 😉

I've been using 3DPDF's since 2008, and am sad to see the U3D import seemingly missing. Old 3DPDF's do indeed still work as they used to.

-Ryan

[josephg81571578]

I have been able to use the u3d format but only from a blank page from which one creates Rich Media and clicks the Add 3D option.  This results in the original pop-up for Advanced Options, as before.  However, it cannot be minimized that Adobe now does not include u3d on their "all files" option as a type that will open, explicitly blocks them from being opened when clicked on, and that the Add 3D option now has a warning directing you to insure yourself that the media is from a trusted source or the like.  All of which is to say it looks more like this is a u3d backdoor that is on its way to being closed.  But why? I'd like someone from Adobe to at least explain it here if possible.  Some of us really rely on this option.  It is a valuable resource.

[rosag84064321]

It does not work me either. I've been using u3d files for Deep Exploration 6.3 for some time, and now it seems to have stopped working.

[Steve Cordero]

Unable to convert U3D or PRC files to PDFs

[josephg81571578]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for getting me close with this valuable link.  However, I do not have the total registry indicated on my local machine, and as I am unused to doing such modifications may I ask for additional help?  The help page reads:

However, in my LOCAL_MACHINE settings down this path, I do not arrive at a FeatureState option, and none of the drop-downs at that point deliver me to FeatureState:

Can you advise?

Thanks.

[Steve Cordero · Accepted solution]

The "FeatureState" key is created by you as is the DWORD value "Block3DConversion" with the value of "0".

[GERALD297364019le2]

Is this still true in  2023?

[joseph_3495]

Yes, it appears to still work as of 2025.

[adbDiscmarc]

... Just found that U3d files can be exported via (free) "Meshlab" (at least Version 2023) and "DazStudio" ... i have been looking for this free-convert-option for a long time, hope it helps!

https://community.adobe.com/t5/acrobat-discussions/how-do-i-create-u3d-files/m-p/14879081#M479969

[AnandSri]

Thank you for providing the workaround/solution! This will definitely be helpful for other community members. If you need any further assistance, feel free to reach out.

^AB