3D Issue

What 3D Issue is

3D Issue turns PDFs into interactive digital flipbooks and responsive publications. Its Replicate product supports video, audio, images, animations, links and sign-up interactions, with reader tools such as search, a table of contents, text selection, bookmarks and notes. Publishers can publish to the cloud or export publications for self-hosting. Login editions and protected access are also described. Replicate includes publication analytics and supports Google Tag Manager, while its API can automate uploads and publishing.

Flow presents publication content in a mobile-friendly article layout while retaining the desktop flipbook experience. It offers ADA-compliant digital publishing, and its article mode supports screen readers. The platform supports Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, web, API and self-hosted use. The company says its flagship Flipbooks suite was released in 2007 and that it was set up in Donegal by ex-publisher and CEO Paul McNulty.

There is no free plan, but the Replicate product page offers a 14-day free trial. Replicate costs $149 a month billed monthly, or $99/month with annual billing; the listed plan covers one user, one brand and 100 publications. Flow and Studio provide other publishing options, with monthly and annual prices listed for each.

Who it suits

3D Issue suits publishers who want to turn PDFs into interactive publications and give readers tools such as search, bookmarks and notes. Flow may suit publishers who need mobile article layouts and accessible publishing, while API automation, analytics and self-hosted export support other publishing workflows.

Limits

There is no free plan. Replicate's annual option is $99/month and includes one user, one brand and 100 publications; its monthly option is $149 a month with the same listed limits.

Getting started

1. Visit the 3D Issue website.
2. Choose Replicate, Flow or Studio based on the listed plan details.
3. Use the 14-day Replicate trial if you want to try that product.
4. Prepare a PDF project for publication.
5. Choose cloud publishing or offline export for self-hosting.

Verdict

Choose 3D Issue if your publishing work needs interactive PDF publications, reader tools and options for cloud or self-hosted delivery. Flow is a fit when mobile article presentation and ADA-compliant publishing matter. Consider the listed plan prices and publication limits when choosing a plan.