CAD Viewer

File formats

What File Formats Does CAD Viewer Support?

Thingraph CAD Viewer for Google Drive™ is a browser-based viewer for both 2D CAD drawings and 3D models. Below is the complete list of supported extensions, what each format is used for, and how CAD Viewer compares to DWG Viewer and CAD Editor.

Video: CAD Viewer for Google Drive

CAD Viewer for Google Drive on YouTube — open 2D and 3D CAD files with Open with in Google Drive™.

Supported formats at a glance

2D CAD (engineering drawings): DWG, DXF

3D models: glTF, GLB, OBJ, FBX, STL, IFC, STP, STEP, IGS, IGES

All rendering runs in your browser (WebGL). Files from Google Drive are not uploaded to Thingraph servers. Try sample files on the Examples page.

2D CAD formats

DWG — AutoCAD Drawing

The native binary format of AutoCAD. DWG files store 2D geometry, layers, blocks, dimensions, and layouts (model space / paper space). CAD Viewer opens DWG from Google Drive or via local upload. Features include layer visibility, layout switching, measurement, and markup.

DXF — Drawing Exchange Format

An open ASCII or binary exchange format for CAD drawings, widely used to share 2D data between applications. DXF support in CAD Viewer matches DWG for viewing, layers, and measurement. See also: how to open DWG in Google Drive (same steps for DXF).

3D model formats

glTF and GLB — GL Transmission Format

glTF (.gltf) is a JSON-based 3D format designed for efficient web delivery. GLB is the binary variant (single file). Ideal for architectural visualizations, product models, and game assets. Note: some glTF files reference external .bin or texture files — when opening a single file from Google Drive, self-contained GLB files work most reliably.

OBJ — Wavefront Object

A common mesh format for 3D geometry. OBJ files may reference a companion .mtl material file. Opening one OBJ from Drive works for geometry; materials may be missing if the MTL is a separate Drive file.

FBX — Autodesk Filmbox

Used in animation and CAD pipelines for complex 3D scenes. CAD Viewer loads FBX meshes in the browser for orbit, pan, zoom, sectioning, and measurement.

STL — Stereolithography

A triangle-mesh format standard in 3D printing. STL contains surface geometry only (no colors or CAD features). Good for visualizing printed parts and mechanical prototypes.

IFC — Industry Foundation Classes

An open BIM (Building Information Modeling) format for buildings and infrastructure. CAD Viewer uses IFC.js (WebAssembly) to parse IFC in the browser — useful for architects and contractors reviewing models from Google Drive without desktop BIM software.

STP / STEP — ISO 10303

STEP (.step, .stp) is a neutral CAD exchange standard for precise 3D B-rep and assembly data from MCAD tools (SolidWorks, CATIA, NX, etc.). CAD Viewer converts STEP in the browser via Open CASCADE (WebAssembly) — no server-side conversion.

IGS / IGES — Initial Graphics Exchange Specification

A legacy but still common neutral CAD format (.igs, .iges) for exchanging surface and wireframe data between systems. Supported alongside STEP for older engineering workflows.

Which Google Drive app opens which format?

Thingraph offers separate Marketplace apps. Use this table to pick the right one:

Formats not supported

CAD Viewer does not currently open these common types (use desktop CAD or convert first):

If you need a format added, contact thingraph@outlook.com — the viewer is built on the extensible @x-viewer/core SDK.

Tips for reliable viewing from Google Drive

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