Users can now embed interactive 3D designs directly into PDF documents. Using Adobe Reader 7.0 or later, you can view, navigate, and interact with the 3D content. Where 3D content is included, it will contain any visualization data and settings that already exist within the design file, such as lights, materials, texture maps, and animation or camera movement (flythroughs). Additionally, non-graphical business items contained in the 3D design file can be included in PDF documents.

Any 3D content within a PDF document is stored in "Universal 3D" (U3D) format. This format was introduced by the 3D Industry Forum as a means for transferring three-dimensional data from CAD systems to mainstream applications such as marketing, training, sales, technical support and customer service.

There are two methods for embedding interactive 3D designs into PDF documents. You can print 3D design geometry to a PDF file, or you can export 3D geometry directly to a U3D file.