3D-Tool

What it is

3D-Tool is a Windows CAD viewer and converter for opening and working with 3D models and 2D drawings without a separate CAD system. It reads more than 30 3D formats and supports DXF, DWG and HPGL drawings, though available formats vary by license. Tools measure distances, angles, radii, wall thicknesses and clearances, and calculate properties such as centers of mass and surface areas. Analysis covers 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 adds 3D-HTML conversion and native interfaces for CAD tools including CATIA, Siemens NX, SolidWorks, Solid Edge, Creo, Inventor, Navisworks and Rhino. The Free Viewer opens DDD, STL and 3MF files and cannot export CAD files. Basic costs € 200, Advanced € 400 and Premium € 800, each a one-time single-user license plus VAT. A 14-day trial unlocks all functions and import formats.

Who it suits. It suits business teams in toolmaking, manufacturing, quality assurance, purchasing, engineering and technical documentation that need to inspect or exchange CAD models. Windows users can start with the free edition or consider paid interfaces and conversion features.

Verdict

3D-Tool provides model inspection, measurement, analysis and conversion in a Windows application, with format access tied to the license edition. The Free Viewer is limited to three file types, while the paid licenses are one-time purchases and Premium includes the NativeCAD Converter.

Plans and prices

From 3D-Tool's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026. Every plan

What the maker publishes

Analysis

Analysis tools include tooling, wall thickness, collision and model comparison, with results displayed on the model as heatmaps. source

API and SDK

The EULA prohibits controlling, embedding or integrating the software into other software; no public API or SDK is documented. source

Batch automation

Documented command-line batch mode publishes EXE, DDD and 3D PDF files and saves images, reports and other formats. source

CAD integrations

Premium supports native CAD interfaces including CATIA, Siemens NX, SolidWorks, Solid Edge, Creo, Inventor, Navisworks and Rhino. source

Capterra listing

Capterra lists the product as an on-premise CAD viewer with annotations, angle measurement and model combining, plus free and trial versions. source

Collaboration and exports

Users can export models as executable EXE files or 3D-PDF, and Premium can convert models to 3D-HTML pages. source

Collision analysis

Version 17 added collision analysis for part collisions and insufficient clearances. source

Company

The legal maker is 3D-Tool GmbH & Co. KG, headquartered in Weinheim, Germany, with Ingo Wulf listed as managing director. source

Converter limit

The 3D-NativeCAD Converter is available only with a Premium license. source

Documentation

The online Version 17 help contains sections for licensing, hardware, file formats, controls, publishing, 3D mode, 2D mode and options. source

Founded

1999 source

Founded

The company says it has developed 3D-Tool since 1999 and has sold more than 50,000 licences worldwide. source

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. source

GetApp listing

GetApp describes a universal CAD viewer and Native CAD Converter with reporting, BOM, import/export and 3D-printing related features. source

Hardware requirements

The vendor specifies at least 4 GB RAM and 1920×1080 resolution, recommending 8 GB for Advanced and 16 GB for Premium. source

Headquarters

Weinheim, Germany source

Independent history

Sensors & Systems reported that development was led by owner and engineer Ingo Wulf, with in-house support and a 14-day trial. source

Intended users

The product is positioned for business teams including toolmaking, manufacturing, quality assurance, purchasing, engineering and technical documentation. source