Pictures/graphics on 3D models?

Question

I'm trying to figure out how to add pictures or graphics (decals) on a 3D model when I import it to pdf.
I've tried to add the graphics in SolidWorks 2008 by using PhotoWorks and in Rhino 3 by using Flamingo but none of the graphics seem to be visible when imported into pdf.
Does anybody have any experience with that or is it just plain impossible?

Answer 1

Yes it's possible - the U3D format used inside a PDF supports bitmap textures for diffuse and reflection colors. The most common reason why a CAD file won't import with textures is that the file references their location using a path which doesn't make sense to Acrobat (for example some CAD programs store it as a relative path, but relative the CAD program itself).
If you can place your CAD file and all your textures in the same folder, and set the CAD file to reference them without any strange path info, then Acrobat will load them in. Sometimes that means picking the textures after they're in the same folder, other times there's a utility within the CAD application to "package" all the external assets into the same place.