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.