# 3D-Tool - CAD Viewer and 3D-NativeCAD Converter

> 3D-Tool is a universal CAD viewer and converter for Windows that opens, measures, analyses and converts 3D and 2D CAD models without requiring the original CAD system. It supports more than 30 native and neutral CAD formats (including CATIA, Siemens NX, Creo, SolidWorks, Solid Edge, Inventor, Rhino, JT, STEP, IGES, Parasolid, DWG, DXF, STL, 3MF and many more) and is available as Basic, Advanced and Premium single-user licences plus a free viewer for DDD, STL and 3MF.

## About the product

- Product: 3D-Tool Version 17 CAD Viewer and 3D-NativeCAD Converter
- Platform: Microsoft Windows desktop application (64-bit), standalone installer, no cloud dependency
- Vendor: 3D-Tool GmbH & Co. KG, Weinheim, Germany (active since 1998)
- Target users: design engineers, purchasers, quality assurance, production planning, tool makers, suppliers, buyers and sales staff who receive CAD data without owning a CAD system
- Use cases: design review, measurement, analysis, markup and annotation, conversion between CAD formats, sharing models with colleagues, customers and suppliers, price calculation, tool and mould design, 3D printing preparation
- Licence model: perpetual single-user licences (one-off payment, no maintenance fees); volume and terminal-server / application-server licences on request from 4 users and volume licensing from 50 licences
- Free edition: 3D-Tool Free Viewer for DDD, STL and 3MF files with the full measurement and analysis toolset

## Editions and prices

All prices are net, excluding taxes and duties. Licence certificates are delivered by e-mail, software is provided as a download.

- 3D-Tool V17 Basic - 200 EUR - 2D/3D viewer with basic 3D formats (STL, 3MF, OBJ, VRML, 3DS, PLY, SLP, XGL, ASC, IV) and basic 2D formats (DWG, DXF, HPGL / HPGL-2)
- 3D-Tool V17 Advanced - 400 EUR - Basic plus advanced 3D formats (STEP, IGES, VDA-FS, SAT/SAB, Parasolid X_T/X_B)
- 3D-Tool V17 Premium - 800 EUR - Advanced plus all native CAD interfaces (CATIA V4/V5/V6, Creo/Pro-E, Siemens NX, SolidWorks, Solid Edge, Inventor, Revit, Navisworks, Rhino, JT, DGN, IFC, 3D PDF/PRC/U3D, DAE, FBX, glTF) plus the 3D-NativeCAD Converter for converting native CAD files into neutral exchange formats
- 3D-Tool Free Viewer - 0 EUR - DDD, STL and 3MF files with all measurement and analysis tools

## Updates to V17

- Update to V17 Basic - from V16: 50 EUR - from V1-V15: 100 EUR
- Update to V17 Advanced - from V16: 100 EUR - from V1-V15: 200 EUR
- Update to V17 Premium - from V16: 200 EUR - from V1-V15: 400 EUR

Service updates within the same major version are free. There is no obligation to purchase updates; older versions keep working.

## Upgrades

- Upgrade Basic → Advanced: 200 EUR
- Upgrade Advanced → Premium: 400 EUR
- Upgrade Basic → Premium: 600 EUR

## Supported CAD formats

- Native 3D CAD: CATIA V4/V5/V6, Pro/Engineer, Creo, Siemens NX (UG), SolidWorks, Solid Edge, Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk Revit, Autodesk Navisworks, Rhino, JT
- Neutral 3D CAD: STEP, IGES, VDA-FS, SAT/SAB (ACIS), Parasolid (X_T/X_B), DGN, IFC, 3D PDF, PRC, U3D, DAE (Collada), FBX, glTF/GLB
- Mesh / polygon 3D: STL, 3MF, VRML/WRL, OBJ, 3DS, PLY, SLP, XGL, ASC, IV
- 2D drawings: DWG, DXF, DWF, HPGL / HPGL-2
- Export / converter targets (Premium): STEP, IGES, VDA-FS, SAT, Parasolid, STL, 3MF, OBJ, VRML, 3D PDF, U3D, JT (depending on source)

## Core feature areas

### Visualize 3D models
- Dynamic rotate, pan, zoom, fit-to-view with smooth OpenGL rendering
- Shaded, wire-frame, hidden-line, transparent and textured display modes
- Cross sections with free-definable section planes
- Exploded views with automatic and manual offsets
- Show / hide parts and assemblies, isolate components
- Custom views (cviews) to store and replay inspection states
- Walk- and fly-through for large assemblies and architectural models

### Analyse 3D models
- Distance, radius, angle, arc, diameter, perimeter and coordinate measurements
- Wall-thickness analysis for plastic parts and castings
- Model info: surface area, volume, centre of gravity, bounding box, weight (with material density)
- Model compare: overlay two revisions and highlight differences
- Measurement history with re-usable filters and snap settings
- Markups, redlines, comments and dimensions that can be saved and shared

### Convert and exchange (Premium)
- 3D-NativeCAD Converter converts native CAD files (CATIA, NX, Creo, SolidWorks, Solid Edge, Inventor, Rhino, JT, Revit, …) into neutral exchange formats (STEP, IGES, Parasolid, SAT, VDA, 3D PDF, STL, …)
- Publish models as:
  - Self-contained EXE file including the 3D-Tool viewer
  - DDD file for the free 3D-Tool Free Viewer
  - 3D PDF file for Adobe Reader with full 3D interaction
- Batch conversion and scripted processing for recurring workflows

### 2D drawings
- True-to-scale printing with layout presets
- Measurement, dimensioning and annotation on DWG / DXF / HPGL
- Edit or hide drawing elements and layers
- Convert drawings to PDF or raster images

## Typical use cases

- Design review without the original CAD system - open any supplier model and inspect it
- Measure and annotate models during purchasing or quoting
- Wall-thickness and volume checks for plastics, casting and 3D-printing projects
- Convert native CAD formats to STEP, IGES or STL for customers, suppliers or additive manufacturing
- Share an interactive 3D model as a single EXE, DDD or 3D PDF with colleagues who do not own 3D-Tool
- Store repeatable inspection views (cviews) for serial quality control

## System requirements (summary)

- Operating system: Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit); Windows Server 2019 or newer for terminal-server deployments
- CPU: any modern x86-64 processor
- RAM: 4 GB minimum, 8 GB or more recommended for large assemblies
- Graphics: OpenGL 3.3 compatible GPU, dedicated GPU recommended for large models
- Disk: roughly 1.5 GB for a full install
- Input: mouse with wheel; 3D-mouse (SpaceMouse) supported
- Full detail page: https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-viewer/hardware-and-software-requirements/

## Key pages

- [Homepage](https://www.3d-tool.com/): product overview, editions and free-trial download
- [CAD viewer - practical functions](https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-viewer/practical-functions/): guided tour through all viewer functions
- [Visualize 3D models](https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-viewer/visualize-3d-models/): rendering, sections, explosions, views
- [Analyze 3D models](https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-viewer/analyze-3d-models/): measurement, model info, wall thickness, comparison
- [Convert 3D models](https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-viewer/convert-3d-models/): 3D-NativeCAD Converter and export formats
- [Supported file formats](https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-viewer/supported-file-formats/): full matrix of supported CAD formats
- [Functions overview](https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-viewer/functions-overview/): feature matrix for Basic / Advanced / Premium
- [Tips and tricks](https://www.3d-tool.com/tips/): quick tips including screenshots, display settings, measurement and performance
- [Hardware and software requirements](https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-viewer/hardware-and-software-requirements/): system requirements
- [Free CAD viewer](https://www.3d-tool.com/free-3d-cad-viewer/): 3D-Tool Free Viewer for DDD, STL, 3MF
- [Download](https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-viewer/download/): installers and free trial
- [Shop](https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-viewer/shop/): purchase licences
- [Price list](https://www.3d-tool.com/price-list/): all licences, updates and upgrades with prices
- [Update](https://www.3d-tool.com/update/): update to the latest version
- [FAQ](https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-viewer/faq/): frequently asked questions
- [Tutorials overview](https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-viewer/tutorials/): video tutorials
- [Tips](https://www.3d-tool.com/tips/): tips and tricks for using 3D-Tool
- [Version history](https://www.3d-tool.com/3d-viewer-history/): release notes
- [Contact](https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-viewer/contact/): contact details and support
- [Feedback](https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-viewer/feedback/): contact form

## CAD format landing pages

- [CATIA viewer](https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-files/catia-viewer/): CATIA V4, V5 and V6 (.model, .exp, .CATPart, .CATProduct, .3DXML)
- [Siemens NX viewer](https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-files/siemens-nx-viewer/): Siemens NX / Unigraphics (.prt)
- [Creo / Pro/E viewer](https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-files/creo-viewer/): Creo Parametric and Pro/Engineer (.prt, .asm)
- [SolidWorks viewer](https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-files/solidworks-viewer/): SolidWorks parts, assemblies and drawings (.sldprt, .sldasm, .slddrw)
- [Solid Edge viewer](https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-files/solid-edge-viewer/): Solid Edge (.par, .asm, .psm, .pwd)
- [Inventor / Navisworks / Revit viewer](https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-files/inventor-navisworks-revit-viewer/): Autodesk Inventor, Navisworks and Revit
- [Rhino viewer](https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-files/rhino-viewer/): Rhinoceros 3DM
- [JT viewer](https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-files/jt-viewer/): Siemens JT
- [STEP viewer](https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-files/step-viewer/): STEP AP203 / AP214 / AP242
- [IGES / SAT / VDA viewer](https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-files/iges-sat-vda-viewer/): IGES, ACIS SAT/SAB and VDA-FS
- [Parasolid viewer](https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-files/parasolid-viewer/): Parasolid X_T and X_B
- [DWG / DXF / DWF viewer](https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-files/dwg-dxf-dwf-viewer/): 2D and 3D DWG, DXF and DWF
- [DGN / IFC viewer](https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-files/dgn-ifc-viewer/): MicroStation DGN and BIM IFC
- [PDF / PRC / U3D viewer](https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-files/pdf-prc-u3d-viewer/): 3D PDF, PRC and U3D
- [Free STL / 3MF viewer](https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-files/free-3mf-stl-viewer/): STL and 3MF (free)
- [DAE / FBX / glTF viewer](https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-files/dae-fbx-gltf-viewer/): Collada DAE, Autodesk FBX, glTF/GLB
- [PLY / 3DS / WRL / OBJ viewer](https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-files/ply-3ds-wrl-obj-viewer/): mesh formats

## Video tutorials

- [First steps](https://www.3d-tool.com/3d-tool-tutorial/first-steps/): introduction to the user interface and basic operations
- [Measure and markup - basics](https://www.3d-tool.com/3d-tool-tutorial/measure/): distance, radius, angle and simple measurements
- [Measure and markup - filters and properties](https://www.3d-tool.com/3d-tool-tutorial/measure-properties/): snap filters, measurement properties and settings
- [Measure and markup - sections, explosion, visibility](https://www.3d-tool.com/3d-tool-tutorial/measure-exploded/): cross sections, exploded views and part visibility
- [Model info](https://www.3d-tool.com/3d-tool-tutorial/modelinfo/): surface area, volume, weight and centre of gravity
- [Custom views (cviews)](https://www.3d-tool.com/3d-tool-tutorial/cview/): storing and reusing inspection states

## Frequently asked topics

- Free trial: a fully-featured evaluation version can be downloaded without registration from the download page
- Licence type: all purchased licences are perpetual single-user licences; no subscription, no maintenance fee
- Volume and server licensing: available on request from 50 single-user licences, or as server/terminal-server licences from 4 concurrent users
- Installation: standalone Windows installer, no cloud service required, no administrator rights required for the per-user install option
- Data privacy: 3D-Tool runs fully offline on the user's PC; no CAD data is transmitted to the vendor
- Supported languages: English and German user interface
- Cross-platform: Windows only; no native macOS or Linux build (Wine / virtualised Windows is used by some customers)
- File-size limits: 3D-Tool handles large CAD assemblies; RAM and GPU resources are the main practical limits

## Legal

- [EULA](https://www.3d-tool.com/eula/): end-user licence agreement
- [General Terms and Conditions](https://www.3d-tool.com/gtc/): GTC
- [Data privacy](https://www.3d-tool.com/dataprivacy/): privacy policy
- [Credits](https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-viewer/credits/): third-party credits

## Contact

- Vendor: 3D-Tool GmbH & Co. KG, Weinheim, Germany
- Contact page: https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-viewer/contact/
- Feedback / contact form: https://www.3d-tool.com/cad-viewer/feedback/

## Machine-readable resources

- [Sitemap](https://www.3d-tool.com/sitemap.xml)
- [Robots](https://www.3d-tool.com/robots.txt)
- [This file](https://www.3d-tool.com/llms.txt)

## Language versions

- English: https://www.3d-tool.com/
- German: https://www.3d-tool.de/