VRMLout for AutoCAD
VRML Translator for Inventor
Publish AutoCAD 3D models and Autodesk Inventor assemblies on the Internet
VRMLout for AutoCAD ("VRML Export") is an ARX application for AutoCAD Rel.13/14, AutoCAD
2000/i/2002, 2004/2005/2006, 2007/2008/2009, 2010, AutoCAD Architecture, Architectural Desktop and Mechanical
Desktop. It allows to export any 3D solid from AutoCAD to the VRML format (Virtual Reality
Markup Language). VRMLout also exposes an ActiveX API (for VisualLISP and
VBA) which allows to use VRML export also from your aplications and scripts.
VRML Translator for Inventor simply adds VRML export to Autodesk Inventor
5.3/6, 7/8/9/10, 11, 2008/2009/2010 and 2011/2012's export formats.
What others say about VRMLout
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"P.S. Jste sikulka!" |
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Jirka Zara, Dept. of Comp. Sci., Czech Technical University |
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"One such gap has been the lack of support for exporting AutoCAD drawings to VRML,
for inclusion in Web sites. CAD Studio has attempted to fill just that gap, and
in the true spirit of the Web and of Autodesk's "Virtual Corporation", is based
in the far-away land of the Czech Republic." |
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Peter Sheerin, CADENCE Magazine |
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"Thanks for great news Jan!!" |
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Brenda Discher, MCAD product manager, Autodesk Inc. |
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"In the recent german iX computer magazine VRML review all vrml aware cad applications
and converters were discussed. All? All but AutoCAD with vrml.arx!" |
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Reini Urban, VRMLout user through Internet |
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"This software has proven to be effective right out of the box with our AutoCad
package. We are currently working on a project that requires support from remote
locations and your software has aided in the viewing of Cad drawings via the web." |
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Frank Williams, Lockheed-Martin Michoud Space Systems, Manned Space Flight Center
Operations |
System requirements
VRMLOUT requires AutoCAD 2011/2010, 2009/2008/2007 or 2006/2005/2004 or 2002/2000/i (a separate version for
R13c4/R14), AutoCAD Architecture 2008, Architectural Desktop 2007 or 2006/2005/2004 or 3.3 or Mechanical Desktop
R4-6/2004-2008 running on Windows 2000/XP or Vista (w/o UAC). Exported VRML files can be rendered by
any standalone or Internet browser with apropriate VRML plug-in module (e.g. Cortona, Live3D,
Cosmo, Blaxxun 3D Viewer ...).
Usage
You can use command line, toolbar or LISP API to invoke VRMLout commands:
- VRMLEXPORT (VRMLOUT in older versions) command starts the export
- VRMLPROPS (VRMLPROP in older versions) command sets material (optical) properties
of selected solids, incl. color properties
- VRMLOPTIONS (V3 and higher) command sets the export format options and node
naming structure
- VRMLHELP runs Help with VRML documentation
- VRMLABOUT command shows version and copyright information
AutoCAD-assigned ACI color of a solid is respected in the resulting VRML scene.
Multicolor objects and nested objects are supported. Any URL address can be attached
to any object in VRML model (using standard AutoCAD commands) - VRMLout is compatible
with Internet Publishing Kit (and AutoCAD hyperlinking). You can use the VRMLPROPS
command to set specular color, emissive color, shininess, transparency and other
object properties. The quality of translation from 3D solid to VRML object (smoothness)
depends on AutoCAD's FACETRES system variable. 3D view of the scene can be set by
setting UCS.
In VRMLOPTIONS you can choose to include layer information and entity hierarchical
structure in the VRML file. Resulting VRML files can be internally compressed (recommended
for web use, supported by most VRML viewers). Since ver.3.3 you can also set numerical
precision, preset default viewpoint, enable background color and reuse material
nodes in the VRML file. VRML 1.0 or VRML 2.0 (97) format can be selected (V3.x supports
only VRML97). Since ver.5.0 you can include block names.
For "Architectural Desktop" operation mode you can use either Architectural Desktop
or plain AutoCAD with AEC Object Enabler loaded. VRMLout retains object hierarchical
structure.
VRMLout ActiveX API exposes numerous Objects, Methods ans Properties to be used in
your applications and routines (since ver.3.4).
VRML output is viewable in standalone viewers, in Netscape Navigator or MS Internet
Explorer (and other browsers) with an apropriate 3D plug-in.
If you are using the Cortona viewer make sure you select the VRML2.0 option and
either assign a explicit color to your AutoCAD object (e.g. green sphere) or uncheck
the 'Use AutoCAD colors' box (V2).
Examples of VRML models from AutoCAD
(requires a browser with installed plugin for .wrl viewing)
Other models can be found on our users' webpages, e.g.:
Some other VRMLout users:
University Karslruhe (Germany)
- eleMent software
(China)
- SKODA-Auto (Czechia)
- University Leuven (Belgium)
- Chung Pak Battery Works Ltd. (Hong-Kong)
- CRAI (France)
- Griffith University (Australia)
- Oxford Archeological Unit (UK)
- Telenor (Norway)
- Arte Media (Germany)
- Eagle Air (Australia)
- Federal Aviation (USA)
- Jabatan Industri (Malaysia)
Known limitations
- if you want to export also 2D objects, add a small thickness to them (_CHANGE selectobjects _P _TH)
- to export text you can use the TTF text meshing utility TXT2FACE (download from the demoen/demoen account on the www.iProject.cz document management server)
- CMDDIA and FILEDIA sysvars are not respected
- if you cannot see the VRML model in your browser make sure you have really exported 3D geometry (solids, extruded entities, walls, roofs, etc.), perform the Fit operation in your VRML browser - your geometry may be "out of view"
- if you are using white background in AutoCAD and black background in your VRML viewer, you will get black VRML model on black background ...
- see below how to simplify (optimize) the resulting VRML code
- if you get no toolbar and have authorization problems in Windows Vista, please switch off the Vista UAC function
- 64-bit versions of AutoCAD are supported since version 2010 only
- since version 2010, special AEC objects are no longer supported - convert them to standard AutoCAD 3D objects first
- for silent installation see Tip 4395
[typo: wrml vmrl vrl wrl vrm]
- 1.0a
- more solids can be exported at once
- filename bug solved
- LISP and ADS interface in commercial version
- 1.01
- URL attachment to individual solids
- URL data are compatible to Autodesk Internet Publishing Kit
- new object properties - shininess and transparency
- new commands VRMLPROP, VRMLABOUT
- 1.03
- 1.04
- HELP included
- all messages and texts in localizable resources
- 1.06
- VRMLHELP command
- 3D FACES, 3D MESHES and PFACES supported in VRML export
- autoloaded VRMLout toolbar
- shareware version limited to 1 object
- activation by a password
- 1.061
- white ACAD color defaults to shaded gray
- backfaces rendered
- 1.07a
- Only for Rel.14
- Supports extruded entities and 3D entities in blocks
- Adds info line about source of the model
- 1.07b (R14)
- Y/Z swapped (thanks Andreas)
- new output dialog specifies drawing units (mm,in,cm...)
- new output dialog specifies using current UCS or WCS
- automatic demandload using Registry
- 1.07 (R14)
- automatic installation, change in loading mechanism
- all icons in one .DLL
- 2.0 preview (R14/MDT2)
- supports VRML 2.0 specification
- Cosmo coloring bug removed
- improved readability of .wrl files
- 2.01 (R14/MDT2)
- children bug in VRML 2.0 removed
- 2.02 (A2000)
- 2.03 (A2000)
- 2.05 (A2000/i/2002)
- minor fixes in API
- assigning properties to multiple objects
- support for A2000i/2002/MDT5/6
- new auth.codes
- 3.01 (A2000/i/2002/ADT3.3)
- major update
- different way of object facetting
- new license mechanism, 15-days trial version
- support for Architectural Desktop 3.3 (AEC) objects
- enhanced output options - indenting, node reusage, transparency, light properties
- file format supports optional compression (GZIP)
- support for multicolor objects, nested objects and xrefs
- VRML export retains hierarchy of drawing objects
- 3.04 (A2000/i/2002/ADT3.3)
- output file size optimizations, up to 20% size(!) of the original versions
- fixed output of extruded polylines and some blocks
- 3.1 (A2002/ADT3.3)
- Fixed problem with very small objects at very large distances (precision lost)
- Options dialog box is now available from Save as dialog box
- Added crease angle option
- 3.2 (A2002/ADT3.3)
- Added new options (flip YZ coordinates, scale, center, etc.)
- New layout for Options dialog box
- 3.3 (A2002/ADT3.3)
- Added new options (background settings, saving of default viewpoint, re-using of
material nodes)
- Default installation folder changed to Program Files/Xanadu/VrmlExport
- 3.4 (A2002/ADT3.3)
- Updated layout of the Options dialog, model name and layer names option
- ActiveX interface introduced
- 3.4.0.5 (A2002/ADT3.3), fix 3/2005
- ScaleFactor problem fixed for Autodesk Architectural Desktop
- Default installation folder changed to Program Files/AAC Solutions/VrmlExport
- 4.0 (A2005/A2004/ADT2004)
- Supports AutoCAD 2005, 2004 and Architectural Desktop 2004
- 4.1 (A2005/A2004/ADT2005/ADT2004)
- Added support for Architectural Desktop 2005
- ScaleFactor problem fixed for Autodesk Architectural Desktop
- Default installation folder changed to Program Files/AAC Solutions/VrmlExport
- 4.2 (A2006/A2005/A2004/ADT2006/ADT2005/ADT2004)
- Added support for AutoCAD 2006 and Architectural Desktop 2006
- 4.3 (A2006/A2005/A2004/ADT2006/ADT2005/ADT2004)
- New "Block name" option to include block information
- 5.0 (A2007/ADT2007)
- Supports AutoCAD 2007, Architectural Desktop 2007 and other ACAD2007-family applications
- New "Block name" option to include block information
- 5.01 (A2008/ACADA2008)
- Supports AutoCAD 2008, AutoCAD Architecture 2008 and other ACAD2008-family applications
- 5.02 (A2009/ACADA2009)
- Supports AutoCAD 2009, AutoCAD Architecture 2009 and other ACAD2008-family applications
- 5.09 (A2010)
- Supports AutoCAD 2010 and other ACAD2010-family applications
- Native 64-bit version added
- No special support for AEC objects
VRML Translator for Inventor
VRML Translator for Inventor simply adds VRML export to Autodesk Inventor 5.3/6/7/8/9/10/11, 2008/2009/2010 and 2011
export formats. VRML Translator is an Autodesk Inventor Certified application by
CAD Studio (former Xanadu).
System requirements
VRML Translator requires the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Autodesk Inventor R5.3 or R6/R7/R8/R9 or R10/R11 or 2008/2009 or 2010/2011/2012 (or
Inventor Professional) running on Windows NT or Windows 2000 or Windows XP or Vista or Win7. VRML
files can be rendered by any Internet browser with apropriate VRML plug-in module
(e.g. Cortona,
Live3D, Cosmo,
Blaxxun 3D Viewer
...).
Usage
VRML Translator is very easy to use - just use the "File > Save copy as" function
in Autodesk Inventor to save your current part (.IPT) or assembly (.IAM) to a WRL
format file.
You can use the Options button in the 'Save copy as' dialog to set the output format,
facetting tolerance, numeric (coordinates) precision, scale, flipping of Y-Z coordinates,
intensity of ambient light and document properties.
Exported VRML file also contains 6 predefined views - Top, Bottom, Front, Back, Left
and Right. If your VRML viewer (browser) supports Views (Viewpoints), you can use
these predefined views to display your model.
See sample video: VRML Translator 
Examples of VRML models from Inventor
(requires a browser with installed plugin for .wrl viewing)
Known limitations
-
textures are not supported
- special color schemes may result in a different color representation of your assembly
in VRML browser
- 1.0 (5.x)
- 6.0 (3/2004)
- new options (precision, VRML1/VRML97, scale, properties...)
- default units are now meters
- 6.02 (5/2006)
- Inventor 11 support
- Xanadu installation folder
- 6.03 (4/2007)
- 6.04 (3/2008)
- 6.07 (3/2010)
Please send possible questions and problems to support@cadstudio.cz or use our discussion forum.
More about VRML
- You can find more information about VRML at
www.vrml.org (Web3D consortium).
- If you want to optimize your VRML files (make them smaller), we recommend the VIZup Optimizer (reducer).
- If your VRML viewer supports .WRZ (compressed VRML, e.g. Cortona, Blaxxun) you can
compress uncompressed .WRL files from VRMLout and VRML Translator using GZIP (www.gzip.org) - just
run GZIP -9 myfile.wrl and rename the resulting myfile.wrl.gz
to myfile.wrz
- Interactive VRML models as Web Java applets with WireFusion by Demicron
Using VRML on a PocketPC
To work with VRML 3D models on mobile PCs (WinCE, PocketPC) you can use the mobile
version of Cortona player (Pocket Cortona - www.parallelgraphics.com). You can transfer
you VRML files from Inventor to your Pocket PC (iPAQ, Jornada, ...). It can be an "mobile" alternative to 3D DWF.
VRMLout OEM
We offer VRMLout also as an OEM license. This kind of license is currently used by
two Autodesk MAI partners - SPI (Germany) and Mechsoft.com/CADis (Czechia).
VRMLout technology is also used in some of our custom development projects - e.g.
in gbXML and TreppenStudio.
VRMLout Shareware edition, pricing
Shareware version is free and can be copied for free - in the original installation
pack. Shareware version for AutoCAD and ADT is limited to 15 days and to export
of only one object at a time; shareware (trial) version for Inventor is limited
to 15 days.
VRMLout Prices / Orders:
- Price of the commercial AutoCAD version for 2010 is 150,-EUR
(credit card, check or invoice) -
buy on-line
.
Upgrades from any version to version 2010 cost 70,-EUR
buy on-line
.
- Price of the commercial AutoCAD/ACADA version for 2009 is 150,-EUR
(credit card, check or invoice) -
buy on-line
.
Upgrades from any version to V5.02 (2009) cost 70,-EUR
buy on-line
.
- Price of the commercial AutoCAD/ACADA version for 2008 is 150,-EUR
(credit card, check or invoice) -
buy on-line
.
Upgrades from any version to V5.01 (2008) cost 70,-EUR
buy on-line
.
- Price of the commercial AutoCAD/ADT version for 2007 is 150,-EUR
-
buy on-line
.
Upgrades from any version to V5.0 (2007) cost 70,-EUR
buy on-line
.
- Price of the commercial AutoCAD/ADT version for 2004/2005/2006 is 150,-EUR
-
buy on-line
.
Upgrades from any version to V4.0 (2006) cost 70,-EUR
buy on-line
.
- Price of the commercial AutoCAD/ADT version for 2000/i/2002 is 150,-EUR
-
buy on-line
. V1.x and
V2.x upgrades to V3.01 are free.
- Unlimited VRMLout site-license costs 1.500,-EUR -
buy on-line

- Price of the commercial Inventor version is 99,-EUR (credit card, check or
invoice) -
buy on-line
.
Upgrades from any version to the latest Inventor version cost 50,-EUR
buy on-line
.
Registration codes are valid for all updates of the same product version. Updates
can be installed without having to re-enter the registration code.
Delivery: VRMLout (or the authorization code) is delivered electronically
- via e-mail. Please install the trial version first and specify your unique Request
code in your order (available in VRMLout startup dialog, Authorize button - see
on the right). Orders are processed within one business day.