Inspect models independently
Inspect incoming or approved CAD data without changing the source design.
Development, Engineering and Technical Documentation
CAD inspection, conversion and documentation in addition to engineering
intuitive & practical 3D without CAD expertise
affordable & universal many 3D/2D interfaces
Why use 3D-Tool in addition to the CAD system?
Not every task involving a CAD model requires design changes. With 3D-Tool, you can inspect, analyze and compare models or convert them into other formats. The source design remains unchanged.
Perform analyses
Check dimensions, geometries, and model revisions without interrupting design work.
Bridge missing interfaces
Convert supported CAD data into suitable exchange formats for downstream applications.
Create technical documentation
Prepare views, dimensions, and annotations for departments without a CAD system.
How is 3D-Tool used in development, engineering, and technical documentation?
3D-Tool does not replace a CAD system for design work. It handles tasks involving CAD models where data must be viewed, inspected, analyzed, converted, or prepared for other departments.
Development and engineering teams can perform quick checks independently of the actual design model. Depending on the edition, 3D-Tool opens native CAD data from systems including CATIA, Creo, Autodesk Inventor, Siemens NX, SolidWorks, and Solid Edge as well as common exchange formats. When an interface is missing, supported data can be converted and provided for downstream applications. Technical views also support documentation, coordination, and sharing.
Handle CAD tasks outside design work
3D-Tool complements the existing CAD process wherever models need to be inspected or shared without changing their design.
- Development: Measure and analyze models and compare different development revisions.
- Engineering: Inspect incoming or approved CAD data independently and clarify technical questions before approval or sharing.
- Technical documentation: Prepare sections, exploded views, dimensions, and model views for clear documents.
- Sharing with other departments: Make models and technical information accessible to colleagues, customers, or suppliers without their own engineering workstation.
Functions for inspection, conversion, and documentation
The focus is on functions that do not require design changes and can therefore be used independently of the engineering workstation.
- 3D dimensions and analyses: Check dimensions and inspect wall thicknesses, draft, collisions, or other geometric features depending on the task.
- Model comparison: Highlight changes between two development or approval revisions in color and selectively inspect affected areas.
- 3D-NativeCAD Converter: In 3D-Tool Premium, convert supported native CAD data and 3D exchange data to formats such as STEP, IGES, SAT, Parasolid X_T, or JT when a suitable interface is missing in the downstream process.
- Visualize and document: Create sections, exploded views, dimensions, Defined Views, and reports for technical communication and documentation.
Separate inspection and handover tasks from the CAD workstation
Measurement, analysis, comparison, and conversion can be performed independently of the actual design process. The source model remains unchanged.
- Perform checks faster: The model does not need to be edited in the CAD system for measurement, analysis, and comparison tasks.
- Avoid unintended changes: Inspection and engineering remain separate, and the source model stays unchanged.
- Make CAD information more widely usable: Views, measurements, and prepared models can also be shared with departments without their own CAD system.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does 3D-Tool replace the CAD system used for engineering?
No. 3D-Tool complements the existing CAD system for viewing, inspecting, analyzing, converting, and documenting. Design work remains in the CAD system.
Can models be inspected without changing the source design?
Yes. Supported models can be viewed, measured, and analyzed without making design changes to the source geometry.
Can 3D-Tool bridge a missing CAD interface?
Yes. The 3D-NativeCAD Converter in 3D-Tool Premium converts supported source data into available exchange and visualization formats when they are needed for a downstream process.
How does 3D-Tool support technical documentation?
Sections, exploded views, dimensions, annotations, and Defined Views can present model information clearly for technical documents and coordination.
Can development teams test their own CAD data and conversion workflows?
Yes. During the 14-day trial, you can open and analyze your own data and test conversions for supported formats.