Last updated on
Feb 26, 2026
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Also applies to Adobe Acrobat 2017, Adobe Acrobat 2020
- Acrobat User Guide
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- Workspace
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Interact with 3D models in PDF files like never before. Learn how to change the rendering mode, lighting, projection, and background in PDF files using Acrobat.
Change projection, rendering mode, lighting, and background
Acrobat's 3D tools enable you to modify multiple components of a 3D model, such as orthographic projection, rendering modes, lighting, and background color. This creates an engaging and visually appealing experience that brings your 3D models to life in a dynamic way.
Projection
To view an orthographic projection, select the Use Orthographic Projection option 
. An orthographic projection effectively removes a dimension, preserving the size ratio between objects but giving the 3D model a less realistic appearance.
Select the Use Orthographic Projection option again to change the projection to Perspective Projection.
Rendering mode
The model rendering mode determines the surface appearance of the 3D model.
Select the Model Render Mode 
from the 3D toolbar. A dropdown list with all the rendering modes appears.
By default, Solid rendering mode is selected. However, you can change it as per the requirement.
Examples of model rendering modes
The model rendering modes include combinations of factors that affect the appearance of the 3D object. The illustration below shows a simple object rendered in each of the available modes.
A. Solid B. Transparent Bounding Box C. Transparent D. Solid Wireframe E. Illustration F. Solid Outline G. Shaded Illustration H. Bounding Box I. Transparent Bounding Box Outline J. Wireframe K. Shaded Wireframe L. Transparent Wireframe M. Hidden Wireframe N. Vertices O. Shaded Vertices
Lighting
Select the Enable Extra Lighting 
option from the 3D toolbar to turn on, turn off, or adjust the lighting.
You can use different types of available lighting options.
Background
Select the Background Color 
option to change the background color.
You can select your preferred color from the color palette.
Here are a few of the graphical representations showing the 3D toolbar functionalities.
Note
You can also change the orthographic projection, model rendering modes, lighting schemes, and background color by right-clicking on the 3D model. Right-click on the 3D model, and then select Viewing Options.
Model Tree overview
The Model Tree appears on the right side of the screen. To open the Model Tree, you can either select the Toggle Model Tree option 
in the 3D toolbar or right-click on the 3D model and then select Show Model Tree.
Note
Using the Model Tree requires version 7.0.7 or later of either Acrobat or Adobe Reader. Users with earlier versions can interact with 3D models but not with the Model Tree.
A. 3D object hierarchy B. Saved& views C. Part or object information
The Model Tree has three panes, each of which displays a specific type of information or control.
Structure pane
The topmost pane shows the tree structure of the 3D model. For example, a 3D model depicting a car has separate groups of objects (called nodes) for the chassis, engine, and wheels. In this pane, you can move through the hierarchy and select, isolate, or hide various parts.
Product Manufacturing Information (PMI) appears as a group of items on the same hierarchical level as its related object or assembly.
View pane
The middle pane displays the defined views for the 3D model. If you want to have the previously saved view, select it from the list in the View pane. Learn more about setting 3D views in PDFs. You can also add new views or edit the existing ones in the View pane. For example, after you isolate and rotate a part, you can save that particular view, including the camera angle, background, lighting, and other attributes.
Note that this feature is not available for Adobe Reader.
Object Data pane
The lower pane displays other information, including properties and metadata, if any, about the object or part. You cannot edit this information for 3D objects in Acrobat.
Note
To change the default behavior for the Model Tree, open the Preferences dialog box(Ctrl + K for Windows and Command + K for macOS). Select Multimedia & 3D, then select any of the available options from the Open Model Tree On 3D Activation option.
The author of the PDF can set up a 3D model in the conversion settings so that selecting it automatically displays the Model Tree.
Hide, isolate, and change the appearance of parts with 3D Model Tree
Some 3D models are composed of individual parts. You can use the Model Tree to hide or isolate parts, zoom in on specific parts, or make parts transparent. Parts that show in the 3D model appear in the tree with a check mark next to them.
A. Selected part B. Hidden part C. Isolated part D. Transparent part
-
In the 3D model, use the Hand tool to select the part you want to manipulate. If a preference setting prevents you from using the Hand tool, select the part in the Model Tree list.
-
Select the Options menu from the upper right of the Model Tree tab.
NoteThe items that appear on the Options menu depend on whether the 3D model is composed of just one part or multiple parts.
A drop-down menu appears from which you can select the following actions for the 3D model:
Model Render Mode
Changes the surface appearance of the entire 3D model according to the item you choose from the submenu: Transparent Bounding Box, Solid, Transparent, Solid Wireframe, and so on.
Show All Parts
Displays the entire 3D model.
Fit Visible
Displays all visible parts and centers them in the view.
Show Physical Properties
Displays the surface area and volume (if available) in the Object Data pane of the Model Tree.
Display Bounding Box
Displays the box that encloses the 3D object or selected parts of the model.
Set Bounding Box Color
Changes the color of the bounding box. Select the option, a color, and then select OK.
Hide
Displays the model without showing the selected parts. You can also select and deselect check boxes in the top pane of the Model Tree to hide and show different parts.
Isolate
Displays only the selected part, hiding all others.
Isolate Part
Displays the geometry, Product Manufacturing Information (PMI), and all views (including PMI views) for the isolated part only. Views and information for all other parts are hidden or deselected. These changes are visible in the Model Tree as well. In the Structure pane (top), only the isolated part is selected while the other parts are available but deselected.
The View pane (middle) lists only the views that have been defined for the isolated part, including PMI views. If you select a view, you see only the PMI for that view in the document pane. Other views related to the assembly or other parts, including custom views created in Acrobat, are hidden. You can execute different operations on the selected part of the 3D model by right-clicking on the part and utilizing the available functionalities.
To cancel the isolated part, try the following:
Select another part with the Isolate Part command.
Select the Assembly option in the Model Tree.
Select the Home View option.
Zoom to Part
Changes the center focus from the entire 3D model to the selected parts. This setting is especially useful for rotating a part, allowing the rotation to occur around the center focus of the part rather than around the entire model.
Part Render Mode
Displays all of the rendering modes that are available for the part. The rendering mode changes the appearance of the 3D model according to the rendering mode you choose.
Transparent
Displays a see-through version of the selected part.
Export as XML
Creates a separate XML file of either Whole Tree or Current Node of the 3D model.
Export as CSV
Creates a separate file in CSV format that contains all of the model data. You can export the data from the whole Model Tree or a selected node. The file can be opened in any program that supports CSV formatting, such as Microsoft Excel.
NoteIf the 3D model includes Product Manufacturing Information (PMI), options for showing and hiding the PMI are available on this menu.
Create cross sections
Displaying a cross section of a 3D model is like cutting it in half and looking inside. Use the Cross Section Controls dialog box to adjust the alignment, offset, and tilt of the cutting plane.
Before
After
-
Select the Toggle Cross Section icon
on the 3D toolbar to turn on or off the cross section. -
(Optional) Select the arrow on the Toggle Cross Section option to open the drop-down menu. Select Cross Section Properties which opens the Cross Section Properties dialog box. Then, do any of the following:
Change settings under Alignment, Display Settings, and Position And Orientation.
Select the Save Section View button to save the current cross-sectional view. (The saved view will appear on the Views menu in the 3D toolbar and in the View pane of the Model Tree with a default name, SectionView[n].)
Cross Section Properties
Changes you make here are applied immediately. To see these changes, make sure that the Cross Section Properties dialog box does not block your view of the active 3D model. The Cross Section Properties dialog box remains on top if you focus or interact with the underlying PDF. To close it, select the Close button in the upper-right corner.
Enable Cross Section
When selected, makes the other options available.
Alignment
Determines the axis (x, y, or z) to which the cross-section aligns.
Align To Face
Cuts the cross-section on a plane defined by the surface of any face that you then select in the 3D model. (The dialog box is dimmed until you select the face of a model part.)
Align To 3 Points
Cuts the cross-section on a plane defined by any three points that you select from the 3D model. (The dialog box is dimmed until you select three points of a model.)
Display Settings
Show Intersections
Indicates where the cutting plane slices the 3D model by adding a colored outline. Select the color swatch if you want to select a different color.
Show Cutting Plane
Displays the two-dimensional field that cuts the 3D model. Select the color swatch to select a different color, and enter a different percentage to change the opacity of the plane.
Ignore Selected Parts
Removes the selected parts from the cross-section view.
Add Section Caps
Removes the selected parts from the cross-section view.
Show Transparent
Displays parts that are not part of the cross-section.
Cutting Plane Opacity
Defines the transparency level of the cutting plane.
Align Camera with Cutting Plane
Rotates the 3D model so that it is level with the cutting plane.
Position and Orientation
Offset
Determines how much of the 3D model is sliced. Drag the slider left or right, or change the percentage.
Note
To understand how each axis divides the 3D model, select an axis and then drag the Offset slider back and forth. Observe the changes in the embedded 3D model.
Flip
Reverses the cross-section. For example, if the top half of the model is cut off, select Flip to display the top half and cut off the bottom half.
Tilt sliders
Determine the angles between the cutting plane and the axes. Drag the sliders left or right, or change the percentages.
Save Section View
Opens the View Properties dialog box in which you can select the display properties to save with the view. After you select the properties to save, the cross-sectional view is added to the list of views in the 3D toolbar and the Model Tree. The saved view is given a default name, SectionView[n].
Display properties that you choose not to save revert to the setting of the previous view. For example, if you do not save the background color, the cross-section view retains the background color of the previously displayed view.
Change Camera Properties
Camera properties define the precise angle and positioning for a view of an object. It makes up a camera view, which can be used both between views and between files.
Select the Camera Properties 
from the 3D toolbar.
If you're unable to see the icon, select the arrow next to the Navigation tool on the left side of the 3D toolbar.
Camera Properties
The Camera Properties of the 3D toolbar allows you to change the way you view and interact with 3D models.
Camera Preset
Save As
Allows you to add a new camera view, or select an existing view from the menu.
Alignment
Target
Aligns the camera properties only to the target position.
Camera and Target
Aligns the camera properties to both the camera direction and the target position.
Select Model
After you select this option, select a 3D model in the document.
If Target is selected, the new position of the camera target is the center of the selected model.
If Camera And Target is selected, the position of the camera target is the center of the selected model.
Select Face
After you select this option, select a face of the 3D model in the document.
If Target is selected, the new position of the camera target is the center of the selected face.
If Camera And Target is selected, the position of the camera target is the center of the selected face.
Select 3 Points
After you select this option, select three points on the same or different models in the document.
If Target is selected, the new position of the camera target is the center of the three selected points.
If Camera and Target are selected, the camera target is the center of the three selected points. The camera position is aligned to the plane composed of the three selected points.
Position
Angle units
Changes the Camera X, Camera Y, and Camera Z values to Azimuth, Altitude, and Distance. These values enable you to manipulate the camera by azimuth (distance) and altitude (X axis), and to zoom using the distance value.
Target
Refers to the point in the 3D model that the camera is aimed at. By setting a camera target, you can focus the camera on a specific area or element in the 3D model, and then move the camera around that area to get a better view.
Parameters
Field of View
Changes the focal angle of the camera. Drag the Field Of View slider to change the focal angle to the desired degree.
Roll
Changes the roll angle of the camera. Drag the Roll slider to change the roll angle to the desired degree.
Save Camera View
Saves the settings and adds the view to the Model Tree.
