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Anonymous
October 2, 2019
Question

Hardware considerations for improved 3D PDF performance

  • October 2, 2019
  • 2 replies
  • 958 views

I design medium to large assemblies in the 3D Design software SolidWorks, using a capable CAD workstation. Lesser PC's, i.e. "normal", cannot usefully view and navigate the native 3D content. We have adopted use of 3D PDF's to internally communicate the model environment to downstream users, specifically the shop workers, for instant reference and inquiry. This method is commonly far more capable to navigate and view the 3D content, even on normal PC's.

 

My primary user has upgraded RAM and a Professional quality Video Card. He has experienced much poorer 3D PDF performance lately with one large Assembly 3D PDF file. I have reduced its content and complexity, which in turn reduced its file size and increased its performance some. It still performs mediocre with significant lag between inputs and results, and rerendering once the view manipulation is stopped.

 

My question is, What is the hardware / environment aspect which is most critical to upgrade, to effect an improvement in performance of viewing and manipulating a large, complex 3D PDF? CPU speed, quantity of CPU cores, RAM, video card, local file vs network file locations, updated Reader version, or other which I have not considered?

 

Thank you.

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2 replies

ls_rbls
ls_rbls
Community Expert
October 2, 2019

I also forgot to add that if money is an issue and Windows is the enviroment of choice,  then You may be already familiarized with tweaking your computers for faster performance.

 

Nevertheless, it is worth checking out these three topics via google or youtube posted by youtuber Thio Joe

 

Double Your Computer Graphics for Free
Upgrade Your CPU For Free
Double Your Computer CPU Speed for Free

ls_rbls
ls_rbls
Community Expert
October 2, 2019

Hi,

 

I dont think everything should be narrowed down in terms of just hardware when it comes to major upgrades; there is a lot of things also involving the type of operating system(s) in use. And when you say PDF are you referring to the users trying to open these generated PDF files using Adobe Acrobat?

 

If that was the case, have you considered the fact that Adobe Acrobat is 32 bit, and although it runs in 64 bit versions of Windows you cannot get the full benefits  of all the 64 bit capable hardware that you paid for. 

 

As this will create a lag or a funneling of the chunks of data that will need to be processed in real time 3D Design software SolidWorks website do recommend that if you are going to deploy in a windows environment you should use server versions of the operating system (they are designed to handle heavy data transfer loads(that said your hard drvie speeds and array may come into play as well)).

 

On the other hand,  Adobe Acrobat do come in a 64bit flavor which installs in macOS. Maybe a Microsoft recommended windows server with a few mc workstation could perform better than having users with regular desktop OS's (I am not selling a product here, but it seems to me that if money is not a problem, and work production is the key element, then quality should be considered even in every other aspects such as the type of routers (if this is a networked environment), network cabling) OR, even considering a virtualization environment if it is more affordable in the long run.

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