3D-Tool
3D-Tool is a Windows CAD viewer and converter for opening, inspecting, measuring, analyzing, and converting 3D models and 2D drawings without a separate CAD …
What 3D-Tool is
3D-Tool is a Windows CAD viewer and converter for opening, inspecting, measuring, analyzing, and converting 3D models and 2D drawings without a separate CAD system. The viewer reads more than 30 3D formats and supports DXF, DWG, and HPGL drawings, though available formats depend on the license. Measurement tools cover distances, angles, radii, wall thicknesses, and clearances, and can calculate centers of mass, surface areas, contour lengths, and minimum bounding boxes. Analysis features include tooling, wall thickness, collisions, and model comparisons, with results shown as heatmaps on the model. Models can be exported as EXE files or 3D-PDF; Premium can also convert models to 3D-HTML pages and provides native interfaces for CAD systems including CATIA, Siemens NX, SolidWorks, Creo, and Rhino. The Free Viewer opens DDD, STL, and 3MF files, with no time limit or registration requirement, but cannot export CAD files. Paid single-user licenses are one-time purchases: Basic costs € 200, Advanced € 400, and Premium € 800, plus VAT. A 14-day trial unlocks all functions and import formats.
Good
- Reads more than 30 3D formats.
- Measures clearances, wall thicknesses, and other properties.
- Analysis results appear as model heatmaps.
- Free Viewer has no time limit or registration requirement.
- Paid licenses are one-time purchases.
Watch out
- Free Viewer opens only DDD, STL, and 3MF files.
- Free Viewer cannot export CAD files.
- Available formats depend on the license edition.
- Premium interfaces and converter require 64-bit Windows 10 or later.
Who it suits
3D-Tool is positioned for business teams in toolmaking, manufacturing, quality assurance, purchasing, engineering, and technical documentation. It suits Windows users who need to inspect or measure models without a separate CAD system.
Verdict
3D-Tool offers a no-time-limit viewer alongside paid licenses with broader formats and features. Check edition-specific format support and Windows requirements before choosing a license.
Plans and prices
From 3D-Tool's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| 3D-Tool Free Viewer | Free | Opens DDD, STL and 3MF · Windows · cannot export CAD files · Free software with no time limit. |
| Free Viewer | Free | DDD/EXE, STL and 3MF viewing · limited features · no CAD export |
| 3D-Tool Basic | €200, paid once | Basic 3D visualization formats · Basic 2D formats · € 200 / one-time; per single-user license, plus VAT. |
| Basic | €200, paid once | basic 3D and 2D interfaces · viewer analysis tools · per single-user license, plus VAT |
| 3D-Tool Advanced | €400, paid once | Basic 3D and 2D formats · Advanced 3D interfaces · € 400 / one-time; per single-user license, plus VAT. |
| Advanced | €400, paid once | basic interfaces plus STEP, IGES, VDA, SAT and Parasolid · per single-user license, plus VAT |
| 3D-Tool Premium | €800, paid once | All listed interfaces · 3D-NativeCAD Converter · € 800 / one-time; per single-user license, plus VAT. |
| Premium | €800, paid once | native CAD interfaces · 3D-NativeCAD Converter · all viewer tools · per single-user license, plus VAT |
The facts
Each one read from 3D-Tool's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Analysis
- Analysis tools include tooling, wall thickness, collision and model comparison, with results displayed on the model as heatmaps.checked 4 Oct 2026
- API and SDK
- The EULA prohibits controlling, embedding or integrating the software into other software; no public API or SDK is documented.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Batch automation
- Documented command-line batch mode publishes EXE, DDD and 3D PDF files and saves images, reports and other formats.checked 15 Oct 2026
- CAD integrations
- Premium supports native CAD interfaces including CATIA, Siemens NX, SolidWorks, Solid Edge, Creo, Inventor, Navisworks and Rhino.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Capterra listing
- Capterra lists the product as an on-premise CAD viewer with annotations, angle measurement and model combining, plus free and trial versions.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Collaboration and exports
- Users can export models as executable EXE files or 3D-PDF, and Premium can convert models to 3D-HTML pages.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Collision analysis
- Version 17 added collision analysis for part collisions and insufficient clearances.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Converter limit
- The 3D-NativeCAD Converter is available only with a Premium license.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- The online Version 17 help contains sections for licensing, hardware, file formats, controls, publishing, 3D mode, 2D mode and options.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Hardware requirements
- The vendor specifies at least 4 GB RAM and 1920×1080 resolution, recommending 8 GB for Advanced and 16 GB for Premium.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Independent history
- Sensors & Systems reported that development was led by owner and engineer Ingo Wulf, with in-house support and a 14-day trial.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The product is positioned for business teams including toolmaking, manufacturing, quality assurance, purchasing, engineering and technical documentation.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Known format limits
- The specifications note unsupported AEC objects, no textures or transparent colors, and format-specific limitations that can cause partial imports.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Licence
- 3D-Tool, NativeCAD Converter and FreeViewer are proprietary executable software with perpetual, non-exclusive licences.checked 15 Oct 2026
- License terms
- The listed licenses are one-time purchases without recurring maintenance costs; service updates within the purchased major version are free.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Limit: editing
- G2 reviewer summaries say the product analyzes and presents models but does not let users modify model geometry.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: pricing
- A G2 reviewer characterized the product as expensive relative to its capabilities.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Measurement
- Measurement tools calculate distances, angles, radii, diameters, wall thickness, clearances, bounding boxes and contour lengths.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Measurements
- Measurement tools cover distances, angles, radii, wall thicknesses and clearances, and calculate centers of mass, surface areas, contour lengths and minimum bounding boxes.checked 4 Oct 2026
The company
- Company
- The legal maker is 3D-Tool GmbH & Co. KG, headquartered in Weinheim, Germany, with Ingo Wulf listed as managing director.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Founded
- The company says it has developed 3D-Tool since 1999 and has sold more than 50,000 licences worldwide.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- Weinheim, Germanychecked 28 Sep 2026
Money
- Free edition limit
- The Free Viewer opens DDD, STL and 3MF files and is free for commercial use, with no time limit or registration requirement.checked 4 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- GetApp listing
- GetApp describes a universal CAD viewer and Native CAD Converter with reporting, BOM, import/export and 3D-printing related features.checked 15 Oct 2026
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