6 Best eDrawings Alternatives in 2026 (No Installation Required)

eDrawings requires installation and is SolidWorks-centric. Here are 6 alternatives to share 3D files without a .exe or Dassault license.

eDrawings is Dassault Systèmes' official SolidWorks viewer. It handles SLDPRT and SLDASM files well, but its main friction points: it requires a .exe install, is frequently blocked by corporate email filters, and the full sharing features (WebHTML export) require eDrawings Professional bundled with a SolidWorks Professional license ($6,000–$8,000/year). Here are browser-based alternatives.

1. OmniView 3D : zero installation, all browsers

OmniView 3D opens STEP, IGES, FBX, GLB and OBJ directly in the browser, desktop, mobile, tablet. Your recipient clicks the link and sees the interactive 3D model without downloading anything. EU hosted, free plan available.

2. Autodesk Viewer : browser-based for Autodesk formats

viewer.autodesk.com opens STEP, DWG, and RVT for free in the browser. Good alternative if your files are STEP-based and you don't need SolidWorks-specific features.

3. 3DViewerOnline : multi-format web viewer

3DViewerOnline supports STEP, IGES, STL, OBJ in the browser. No installation. Free plan (very limited) or paid from $15/month.

4. Fusion 360 : if you're already an Autodesk subscriber

Fusion 360 generates public review links accessible without an account. ~$545-680/year subscription required.

5. JT2Go : for Siemens NX users

JT2Go is free but Siemens-centric (JT format). The web app only offers basic pan/zoom/rotate.

6. FreeCAD : open-source

FreeCAD opens STEP and IGES files for free. Good for local inspection, but not designed for sharing a link with non-technical clients.

FAQ

How do you open an eDrawings file without installing eDrawings? Export your model as a STEP or FBX file from SolidWorks, upload to OmniView 3D, and share the link. Recipients view the interactive 3D model in their browser, no software needed.