Universal Viewer for 2D & 3D Files: Complete Design Visualization & Collaboration Platform

Introduction

In complex engineering environments, design files don’t come in just one format or dimension. Whether it’s 2D schematics for production or 3D assemblies for simulation, companies today struggle with fragmented viewers, incomplete collaboration tools, and manual file conversion processes.

Our Universal Viewer is designed for true multi-dimensional collaboration. Not only does it handle an extensive array of 2D and 3D formats, but it also provides deep scene creation, interactive editing, measurement, sectioning, annotation, and display control capabilities—all within a single browser-based environment. It’s not just a viewer—it’s a fully integrated digital engineering workspace.

 

 

Key Use Cases & Capabilities

 

1. Multi-Format File Compatibility

Supports an unparalleled range of file formats:

    • 2D CAD & Office: AutoCAD, DWG, DXF, DWF, DWT, HPGL, GBR, PLT, PDF, SVG, CGM, EMF, WMF, DOC, DOCX, ODT, XLS, XLSX, ODS, CSV, PPT, PPTX, ODP, VSD.

    • 3D CAD Formats: STEP, IGES, BREP, ACIS SAT/SAB, Siemens JT, Parasolid XT-XB, JT, IFC, Catia V4/V5/V6, SolidWorks, Solid Edge, UG NX, CREO, Inventor, ProE, Rhino 3DM.

Benefits:

    • Eliminate format barriers across vendors, partners, suppliers.

    • Consolidate multiple tools into one viewer platform.

    • Maintain fidelity of complex 3D models.

 

2. 3D Scene Creation & Editing

    • Import CAD shapes (STEP, IGES, etc.) as BSON files.

    • Build complex scenes with custom shapes, solids, and polylines using JavaScript.

    • Combine shapes, load, and export scenes via JSON format.

    • Move, rotate assemblies and sub-components.

    • Assign visibility, color, and display properties to individual shapes or groups.

Benefits:

    • Full flexibility for simulation, training, and engineering walkthroughs.

    • Simplified model assembly for multi-part systems.

 

3. Interactive Selection

    • Select entire assemblies or sub-components (face, edge, vertex).

    • Support for incremental, filtered, and additive selections.

    • Identify geometric primitives: planar, circular, cylindrical, spherical.

    • Retrieve identifiers, surface normals, and control highlight colors programmatically.

Benefits:

    • Precision analysis of complex geometry.

    • Enable targeted design inspections and validation.

 

4. Advanced Measurement & Annotation

    • Create text annotations with full editing capabilities.

    • Measure distances, radii, angles across canonical surfaces.

    • Dynamically adjust measurements as models update.

    • Attach long notes, URLs, or files for full audit traceability.

Benefits:

    • Enhanced design reviews with precise dimensions.

    • Enable real-time collaboration during product validation.

 

5. Sectioning & Exploding Tools

    • Apply multiple clipping planes with shaded cross-sections.

    • Perform real-time shaded section rendering with hatch fills.

    • Explode models with controlled separation via interactive sliders.

Benefits:

    • Inspect complex assemblies layer-by-layer.

    • Simplify failure analysis, maintenance planning, and design reviews.

 

6. Global Display Modes

    • Wireframe, Shaded, Wireframe+Shaded, Hidden Line Removal.

    • Transparency (with or without wireframe).

Benefits:

    • Adapt visualization to suit engineering, QA, or executive stakeholders.

    • Simplify both technical and non-technical communication.

 

7. Camera, Animation & Interaction

    • Perspective & Orthographic camera views.

    • Pan, Zoom, Rotate (mouse or touchscreen).

    • Fit selection and full scene view framing.

    • Animate object movements, rotations, and camera transitions.

    • Undo/redo editing; reset scenes.

Benefits:

    • Smooth, intuitive navigation for engineers and reviewers.

    • Highly interactive training and simulation-ready environment.

 

8. Trihedron, Snapshots & Assembly Tree

    • Persistent 3D trihedron for orientation.

    • Snapshots of 3D views for documentation.

    • Assembly tree with full hierarchy, multi-selection, and popup controls.

Benefits:

    • Easy navigation across complex BOM structures.

    • Full control over visibility and structure navigation.

 

9. Property & Measurement Editors

    • Edit object position, color, transparency, and display mode.

    • Use measurement control panels for precise measurement creation.

Benefits:

    • Simplified property edits without external CAD tools.

    • Accurate inspection-ready measurements directly in the viewer.

 

Section, Explode & Standard Views

    • Control clipping planes (X/Y/Z) interactively.

    • Automatic exploded view adjustment via sliders.

    • Standard camera views: Isometric, Front, Back, Left, Right, Top, Bottom.

Benefits:

    • Quickly adapt views for assembly reviews, inspections, and presentations.

    • Simplify design walkthroughs for QA and manufacturing.

 

Viewer Settings & Personalization

 

Persistent user settings:

    • Background color.

    • Annotation colors.

    • Enable/disable animations.

    • Language preferences.

    • Selection color.

    • Trihedron display toggle.

    • Details panel display.

Benefits:

    • Personalize viewer behavior for each role or department.

    • Simplifies training and adoption across departments.

 

Role-Based Access & Interfaces

 

Role
Key Actions & Interface
Design Engineer Load, inspect, edit, measure, annotate and export models
Supplier/Vendor Access shared assemblies with limited permissions
Quality Inspector Use markup, sectioning, measurements for validations
Project Manager Review overall assembly structure, sign off via annotation stamps
IT/Admin Control access rights, export audit logs, configure system preferences

 

 

Before vs After – Problem Solving Matrix

 

Old Problem
New Digital Solution
Format conversion nightmares Native multi-format support
Separate tools for 2D, 3D & collaboration Unified full-featured viewer
Inability to measure complex 3D models Interactive multi-point measurements
Difficult multi-part assembly navigation Assembly tree with exploded view
Limited vendor collaboration Secure, permission-based sharing
Poor audit visibility Complete annotation & history logs

 

 

Analytics & Dashboards

 

    • Annotation history

    • User access logs

    • Search heatmaps

    • Print/export tracking

    • File version control

    • Model interaction activity

 

Use Case Impact – Real Industry Examples

 

Heavy Industrial EPC Firm

Reduced design change turnaround by 45% with interactive sectioning, measurement, and annotation workflows.

 

Aerospace Supplier

Improved design sign-off speed by 50% through multi-format import, advanced exploded views, and vendor collaboration portals.

 

Medical Device Manufacturer

Cut rework costs by 30% using precise dimension measurements inside complex 3D assemblies without external CAD licenses.

 

 

Why Choose This Solution?

 

    • Unified 2D + 3D viewing and editing platform

    • Supports extensive industry CAD formats

    • Full interactive editing without CAD licenses

    • Powerful measurement, annotation & inspection tools

    • Secure cloud-based or on-prem deployment

    • Vendor-neutral solution, integrates with PLM, ERP, MES

    • Industrial-grade performance for manufacturing, EPC, aerospace, automotive & more

 

Get Started

 

Ready to unify your design collaboration, eliminate file barriers, and empower your engineering workflows?


Click here to schedule a demo for 2D Universal Viewer.
Click here to schedule a demo for 3D Universal Viewer.

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