Autodesk Viewer

What it is

Autodesk Viewer is a free browser application for uploading, viewing, and sharing design files, including AutoCAD and Revit projects. It supports many 2D and 3D formats, such as DWG, STEP, RVT, IGES, and SolidWorks, and works in browsers on Windows, Mac, and Chrome OS. Users can navigate models, inspect properties, measure, explode views, create sections, add markups, print, and take screenshots. Shared design views support annotations and drawing tools for online collaboration. A shared view is a converted representation rather than the original file, so stakeholders cannot retrieve or edit the source through it. Files saved to Viewer are not searchable, although anyone with the share link can access the design. Views expire after 30 days by default, with an option for owners to extend the expiry date. An Autodesk Account is required. Autodesk Viewer data is stored in the United States, with no regional storage option. RVT support covers Revit 2015 or later; DWG object-enabler viewing is limited to AutoCAD Architecture, Plant 3D, and Civil 3D.

Who it suits. Autodesk Viewer suits homeowners, contractors, and project stakeholders who need to review and share 2D or 3D design views in a browser. It is useful when collaborators need to comment on a design without editing or accessing its source file.

Verdict

Autodesk Viewer provides a no-cost way to review and annotate many design formats in a browser. Keep in mind that shared views do not expose the source file, and link access and default expiry should be considered before sharing.

Plans and prices

From Autodesk Viewer's own pricing page, checked 19 Oct 2026. Every plan

What the maker publishes

Account requirement

Using Autodesk Viewer requires an Autodesk Account. source

Account requirement

Using Autodesk Viewer requires an Autodesk Account. source

Automatic conversion

Uploaded files are automatically converted into viewable representations. source

Browser platform

Autodesk lists Autodesk Viewer as browser-based and available on Windows, Mac, and Chrome OS. source

Browser support

The live viewer page specifies WebGL-capable Chrome 56+, Firefox 51+ and Edge 14+ browsers. source

Collaboration

Users can share a design view through a link and use annotations and drawing tools for online collaboration. source

Company founded

LinkedIn lists Autodesk’s founding year as 1982. source

Company headquarters

LinkedIn lists Autodesk headquarters in San Francisco, California. source

Company size

LinkedIn lists Autodesk as a public software company with 10,001+ employees. source

Data location

Autodesk Support states that Autodesk Viewer data are stored in the United States and regional data storage is not supported. source

Data location

Autodesk says Autodesk Viewer data is stored in the United States and regional storage is not supported. source

Developer API

The Viewer SDK is a JavaScript library for embedding and interacting with 2D and 3D models in websites. source

Documentation and support

Autodesk provides guides, tutorials, API references, community support, Stack Overflow monitoring and optional Autodesk Developer Network support. source

Encryption and compliance

Autodesk says Viewer is based on Forge, which it describes as ISO 27001 compliant, and that uploads are encrypted. source

Extensibility

The SDK supports toolbar customization, extensions and user-written plug-ins. source

File compatibility

Autodesk lists support for more than 80 file types, including DWG, STEP, DWF, RVT and SolidWorks. source

Integrations

Autodesk lists compatibility with AutoCAD, Revit, Fusion 360, Inventor, Navisworks, and other design products. source

Integrations

Autodesk presents the viewer as working with AutoCAD, Revit, Fusion 360, Inventor and other Autodesk products. source