Which 3D files can I open?
| Type | Formats |
|---|---|
| 3D printing | STL, 3MF, OBJ, PLY, G-code (G-code viewer) |
| CAD | STEP / STP, IGES |
| Web, games, AR | GLB, glTF, FBX, DAE, USDZ |
What you can do
- Rotate, zoom and switch between 3D, front, top and side views.
- Read the exact size, triangle count, surface area and volume.
- Check whether the mesh is watertight – and repair it if not.
- Convert to another format, or save a PNG screenshot.
Why a browser viewer?
No installation, no account and no upload: the file is read by your browser and drawn with WebGL on your own device – fast, and safe for confidential parts. For a deeper comparison of formats see 3D file formats explained.
Troubleshooting: 3D file won't open or looks wrong
- The file needs companions. Several formats are split across files: glTF uses .bin and images, OBJ uses .mtl and textures, DAE references a texture folder. Select all of them together, or ask the sender for a single-file format such as GLB or 3MF.
- The model is invisible or a speck. Usually a unit mismatch. Files in metres can show a 30 mm part as 0.03, and inch files come out 25.4 times smaller than expected. Look at the dimension readout to see which unit the numbers were written in.
- The file came in a ZIP. Marketplaces bundle files in archives. Extract them first – note that 3MF and USDZ are ZIP-based formats themselves and open as they are.
- The extension is unfamiliar. Native files from Blender (.blend), SolidWorks (.sldprt), Fusion (.f3d) or 3ds Max (.max) can only be read by their own software. Export STEP from CAD tools or GLB/FBX from modelling tools.
What people use an online 3D viewer for
An online 3D viewer is the universal answer to someone sending a 3D file you have no program for. Clients review a model from a designer, students open coursework files on a school laptop, and buyers check CAD models from suppliers – all without installing anything.
Because one page reads STL, STEP, GLB, OBJ, FBX, 3MF and more, it also works as a quick diagnostic: compare triangle counts and sizes of two exports, check whether a mesh is watertight before printing, take a clean screenshot for documentation, or convert a file into the format the next tool needs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 3D viewer free?
Yes – viewing is free and unlimited, without an account.
Is my file uploaded?
No. It is opened locally in your browser.
Does it work on iPhone and Android?
Yes – open the page, tap Choose file and pick the model from Files or Downloads.
What is the best 3D file format for sharing?
GLB for anything visual – it is one file with textures and opens almost everywhere – STEP for exact CAD geometry, and 3MF or STL for 3D printing.
Why does my 3D model look different in another program?
Programs differ in lighting, units, up axis and material support. Check dimensions and orientation first, then whether materials use features the other program does not support.