CAD ROOMS Feature Guide - Viewer & Collaboration (For Hilko)

Understanding the CAD Viewer

What is the CAD Viewer?

• View 3D CAD models without native CAD software

• Navigate assemblies and inspect components

• Measure dimensions and angles

• Compare different versions visually (CAD diffing)

• Annotate and markup designs

• Share views with team members

Quick Reference

Viewer Capabilities

Supported File Formats

• Native CAD formats (e.g. SolidWorks, Creo, Inventor, NX, CATIA)

• Neutral formats (e.g. STEP, IGES, STL, Parasolid)

• 2D and visualization formats (e.g. DWG, DXF, JT, glTF)

Viewer Capabilities

1. 3D Navigation

• Rotate: Click and drag to rotate the model

• Pan: Right-click and drag (or Shift + drag) to pan

• Zoom: Scroll wheel to zoom in/out

• Fit to View: Double-click to fit entire model in view

• Located in top-right corner

• Click faces for standard views (Front, Top, Right, etc.)

• Click edges for isometric views

• Click corners for trimetric views

• Home button returns to default view

• Perspective: Realistic view with depth perception

• Orthographic: No perspective distortion (engineering view)

• Wireframe: Show only edges

• Shaded: Solid surfaces with lighting

• Shaded with Edges: Combination view (most common)

2. Assembly Navigation

• Hierarchical view of all components

• Expand/collapse subassemblies

• Click components to highlight in 3D view

• Show/hide individual components

• Click components in 3D view to select

• Selected components highlight in tree

• Multi-select with Ctrl/Cmd + click

• Show/hide components individually

• Isolate specific components

• Show only selected components

• Restore all visibility

• View assembly in exploded state

• Understand component relationships

• See internal parts

3. Measurement Tools

• Measure between two points

• Measure between faces, edges, or vertices

• Results shown in model units

• Measurements persist in view

• Measure angles between faces or edges

• Results in degrees

• Useful for verifying design intent

• Measure surface areas

• Calculate material requirements

4. Section Views

• Cut through model to see internal features

• Position section plane anywhere

• Rotate section plane to any angle

• Multiple section planes possible

• Inspect internal features

• Verify wall thicknesses

• Check clearances

• Understand internal assembly

5. CAD Diffing (Version Comparison)

• Compare two versions of the same file

• See what geometry changed

• Identify added, removed, or modified features

• View both versions simultaneously

• Synchronized navigation

• Easy to spot differences

• Superimpose versions with transparency

• Color-coded differences

• See exact geometric changes

• Green: Added geometry

• Red: Removed geometry

• Yellow/Orange: Modified geometry

• Gray: Unchanged geometry

• Design reviews

• ECO verification

• Change identification

• Troubleshooting issues

6. Annotations

• Comment Panel: Open the annotations panel from the left toolbar to view or manage discussion threads.

• Pinned Notes: Comments are attached to specific parts of the model for precise context.

• Threaded Discussions: Each annotation supports replies for focused collaboration.
• @Mentions: Tag teammates to notify them directly in the thread.
• Attachments: Add supporting PDFs or images to provide additional context.

• Version-Scoped: All annotations remain linked to the version they were created on.

• All annotations stay linked to the model version where they were created.

• Tagged users receive in-app notifications.

• Annotations can be resolved or unresolved for review cycles.

7. Properties and Metadata

• Center of gravity

• Surface area

• Volume

• Dimensions

When to Use the CAD Viewer

✅ Use the Viewer For:

• Review designs without opening CAD software

• Stakeholders can participate without CAD licenses

• Measure and verify dimensions

• Check for obvious issues

• Show designs to clients in browser

• No software installation required

• Clients can explore models themselves

• Professional presentation

• Manufacturing partners can inspect designs

• Verify producibility

• Measure critical dimensions

• Identify potential issues

• Use CAD diff to see what changed

• Verify ECO implementation

• Confirm changes match description

• Identify unintended changes

• Check file before downloading

• Verify correct file was uploaded

• Spot-check dimensions

• Confirm assembly structure

• Discuss designs in meetings

• Point out specific features

• Get feedback from non-CAD users

• Share views with team

Viewer Interface

Main Viewing Area

• Central area showing the model

• Interactive 3D manipulation

• Context-sensitive cursor

• Selection highlighting

• Gradient or solid background

• Adjustable for contrast

• Professional appearance

Navigation Cube

• Standard view selection (Front, Top, Right, Back, Bottom, Left)

• Isometric views (click edges)

• Trimetric views (click corners)

• Home button (reset to default view)

Toolbar

• Assembly Explorer : Browse the assembly hierarchy and select individual parts or subassemblies.

• Assebly Explode: Show exploded assembly view (if available)

• Reset Camera: Reset the camera to the default fitted view of the model.

• Measure: Measure distances, angles, areas, and other geometric properties directly on the model.

• Visual Style: Switch between different rendering modes such as shaded, wireframe, X-ray, and more.

• Metadata: View file-related information

• File Relationship: View how the current file is connected to related parts or assemblies.

• Annotation: Add comments directly to the model with full visual context

• Section View: Create section views

Assembly Tree Panel

• Hierarchical component list

• Part names

• Visibility toggles (eye icons)

• Selection indicators

• Navigate complex assemblies

• Show/hide components

• Select components

• Understand structure

Viewer vs. Native CAD Software

When Viewer is Sufficient

When Native CAD is Required

Viewer Advantages

• Works in any modern browser

• No software to install or maintain

• No license costs for reviewers

• Anyone with project access can view

• Works on any device (desktop, tablet)

• Platform-independent (Windows, Mac, Linux)

• View latest version immediately

• No need to download and open files

• Automatic format support updates

• Easy to share views

• Annotations and comments integrated

• Version comparison built-in

Technical Requirements

Browser Compatibility

• Chrome (recommended)

• Firefox

• Safari

• Edge

• Modern browser (last 2 versions)

• JavaScript enabled

• WebGL support (for 3D rendering)

Performance Considerations

• Small files (< 10 MB): Instant loading

• Medium files (10-50 MB): Few seconds

• Large files (50-200 MB): May take 10-30 seconds

• Very large files (> 200 MB): May be slow or require optimization

• Simple parts: Excellent performance

• Assemblies (< 100 parts): Good performance

• Large assemblies (100-1000 parts): Acceptable performance

• Huge assemblies (> 1000 parts): May be slow

Common Use Cases

Use Case 1: Client Design Review

1. Invite clients as Workspace Members and assign with Viewer roles for the relevant projects.

2. Client opens file in browser (no CAD software needed)

3. Client navigates model, measures features

4. Client adds comments and attachments under ECOs.

5. Designer addresses feedback

6. Client approves or requests changes

Use Case 2: Manufacturing Feasibility Review

1. Share project with manufacturing partner (Project Viewer)

2. Partner inspects geometry in viewer

3. Partner measures critical dimensions

4. Partner uses section views to check wall thicknesses

5. Partner comments on potential issues

Multi-CAD Compatibility

CAD File Formats

Notes

• Large or complex assemblies may take longer to load.

• If your format isn’t listed, please contact CAD ROOMS Support for confirmation.

Viewing & Collaboration

• Viewed in 3D with orbit, zoom, and pan

• Measured and inspected

• Compared visually using CAD Diffing

Related Articles

• Understanding the CAD Viewer

• How to Compare File Versions (CAD Diffing)

• How to Upload and Manage Files in the Browser App

• Understanding Version Control in CAD ROOMS

• How to Check Files In and Out

Changing Visual Styles in the CAD Viewer

Whether you want to examine internal structures or display a model with a more artistic flair, our Visual Styles have you covered.

Accessing Visual Styles

Visual Styles by Inspection Purpose

General Design Review

• Shaded
• Fully shaded solid geometry with lighting

• Wireframe on Shaded
• Solid surfaces with visible wireframe edges
Best for:
• High-level design reviews
• Understanding overall shape and surface continuity

Geometry and Feature Inspection

• Wireframe
• Displays only edges and curves

• Hidden Line
• Shows visible edges while hiding obscured geometry

• Without Hidden Line
• Displays all edges equally, including hidden ones
Best for:
• Geometry validation
• Understanding feature relationships
• Reviewing dense or highly constrained models

Internal Structure and Clearance Checks

• X-Ray
• Semi-transparent surfaces that reveal internal components
Best for:
• Internal inspection
• Clearance and interference checks
• Assembly validation without sectioning

Concept and Presentation Views

• Gooch
• Non-photorealistic shading with enhanced edge contrast

• Toon
• Simplified shading with strong outlines
Best for:
• Concept reviews
• Presentations
• Emphasizing form without material distraction

Quick Reference: Choosing a Visual Style

Key Benefits

• Switch visual styles instantly without reloading files

• No CAD software required

• Ideal for collaboration with non-CAD users

• Consistent visualization across revisions and shared views

Related Articles

• Section Views

• Measurements

• CAD Diffing (Version Comparison)

• Annotations & Comments

How to Measure Parts and Assemblies

Open the Measurement Tool

1. Open a part or assembly in the CAD ROOMS Viewer.

2. Click the Measurement icon in the left toolbar.

3. Select the measurement type from the dropdown menu.

Measurement Modes

Distance Measurements

• Point-to-Point Distance
• Measure straight-line distance between two points, edges, or vertices
• Typical uses: hole spacing, feature offsets

• Polyline Distance
• Measure a path made of multiple connected segments
• Typical uses: complex edges, routing paths, contour lengths

• Face-to-Face Distance
• Measure distance between two faces or surfaces
• Typical uses: wall thickness, clearance checks

Angle and Area Measurements

• Angle Between Lines
• Measure angular relationships between edges or reference lines
• Typical uses: chamfers, draft angles

• Polygon Area
• Measure the area of a closed region defined by multiple points
• Typical uses: cross-sectional area, surface estimation

Managing Multiple Measurements

• View multiple measurements at once

• Remove individual measurements

• Clear all measurements when finished

When to Use Measurements

• Design reviews

• Clearance and fit checks

• Verifying imported CAD data

• Collaborating with teammates and external reviewers

Adjust Units and Precision

• Change units: mm, cm, m, in, ft

• Adjust precision: Increase or decrease decimal accuracy

Repositioning the Measurement Panel

• Prevent the panel from blocking important geometry

• Keep measurements visible while inspecting different areas

• Continue measuring while rotating or zooming the model

Using Measurement with Other Viewer Tools

• Visual Styles (Wireframe, X-Ray, Hidden Line, etc.) help reveal internal geometry while measuring

• Section View allows you to measure internal features and cross-sections with precision

Why Use Measurements in CAD Viewer

• Verify dimensions without exporting files

• Communicate requirements clearly

• Reduce errors during reviews

• Speed up design validation

Related Articles

• Understanding the CAD Viewer

• How to Change the Visual Style of Your 3D Model

• Viewing File Relationships in the CAD Viewer

• Collaborating with Annotations and Comments

• Top-down: See which components make up an assembly

• Bottom-up: See which assemblies reference a specific part

Current Support and File Requirements

File Organization Guidelines

What Works

• Assemblies can reference parts across different projects

• All related files must be within the same workspace folder

• Once accessible, relationships are detected automatically in the viewer

How to Access

1. Open any 3D file (Part or Assembly) to enter the CAD Viewer.

2. On the left sidebar, click the File Relationships icon (represented by branching nodes).

3. The relationship panel opens, showing two sections:
• Components
• Referenced By

Understanding the Relationship Views

1. Components (For Assemblies)

• What you see: A list of children files (e.g., ec05_-_motor_wheel...) that make up the current model.

• Action: Click on any component name in the list to navigate directly to that specific part