Lattice Technology (www.lattice3d.com) and Tetra 4D (www.tetra4d.com) are partnering to integrate Lattice Technology's digital manufacturing and technical illustration authoring software with Tetra 4D's 3D PDF publishing software. The result will likely be wider distribution and use of three-dimensional technical documents supporting the design and production of manufactured products.

With headquarters in Tokyo and San Francisco, Lattice Technology  helps engineers perform design review, design processes, simulate assembly processes, and create print-ready digital work instructions, technical illustrations and manufacturing bills of materials (mBOMs) direct from 3D data. Its XVL (eXtensible Virtual world description Language) technology enables accurate and compressed 3D files to be shared.

Tetra 4D software integrates 3D Adobe PDF documents into a variety of digital workflows, making 3D and related data accessible to more than just the engineering department. Tetra 4D is an Adobe Gold Level Solution Partner and is working with ISO, AIIM and other organizations to enable Adobe's PDF, PDF/E and the PRC data formats to operate as open standards.

The companies will integrate Lattice Technology's XVL Studio product family with Tetra 4D's 3D PDF ConverterT software. "Combining the power of the ultra lightweight XVL format with the ability to easily create 3D PDF documents will provide our customers with a superior experience,” said Bill Barnes, Lattice general manager. “The convenience of PDF distribution and the power to edit in Lattice Technology's XVL based applications will allow wider distribution and use of 3D technical documents, whether documents are being created for internal use or for secure distribution across a supply chain."

Tetra 4D President Greg Baker said, "Lattice Technology has long been a leader in repurposing 3D design data for downstream use. By integrating our products, Tetra 4D customers will have a powerful solution for advanced preparation of their 3D data and creation of technical publications prior to publishing to 3D PDF."

Lattice Technology and Tetra 4D demonstrated this forthcoming integration in Paris, France on February 2nd with local reseller, Antéa. 

Renee Robbins Bassett, rbassett@automationworld.com , is Managing Editor of Automation World.