Free SolidWorks Viewer Online — Open SLDPRT/SLDASM Without a License

Open and share SolidWorks files online for free without a SolidWorks license: export to STEP, then view and share an interactive 3D link in 60 seconds.

SolidWorks (.SLDPRT for parts, .SLDASM for assemblies) is the most widely used CAD software in mechanical engineering. But a license costs $4,000–$8,000 per year. If you receive a SolidWorks file from a supplier or colleague and don't have a license, you're stuck. Important: no browser-based tool — OmniView 3D included — can open a raw .SLDPRT or .SLDASM file directly, since it's a proprietary binary format only SolidWorks itself can read. This guide shows you the actual two-minute workaround: export to STEP, then view it online for free.

Why can't a browser open .SLDPRT or .SLDASM directly?

.SLDPRT and .SLDASM are Dassault Systèmes' proprietary binary formats — there is no public specification, so no independent viewer (browser-based or desktop) can parse them without licensing SolidWorks' own engine. The practical workaround, used across the industry, is to export the file to STEP (ISO 10303), the neutral CAD format every CAD system reads and writes. The export takes less than a minute inside SolidWorks and preserves the exact geometry.

Who needs to view a SolidWorks file without a license?

• Sales teams sharing product models with clients who don't have SolidWorks
• Purchasing managers reviewing supplier parts before approving
• Clients validating a design before production — no CAD license required
• Remote teams collaborating across departments without a SolidWorks seat

How to view a SolidWorks file online with OmniView 3D

1. 1In SolidWorks, go to File → Save As, and choose STEP (.step or .stp) as the format
2. 2Go to omniview3d.com and create a free account (no credit card)
3. 3Click 'Add a model' and upload the exported STEP file
4. 4OmniView 3D converts the file into an interactive 3D viewer automatically
5. 5Share the link — your recipient opens it in any browser, any device, no SolidWorks or license needed

OmniView 3D vs eDrawings: which SolidWorks viewer is better?

eDrawings is Dassault Systèmes' official free SolidWorks viewer, and it's the only option that opens native .SLDPRT/.SLDASM files directly — but it requires local installation on both sides. OmniView 3D requires zero installation and works from a STEP export: the link opens in any browser. OmniView also adds shareable links, access control, annotations, and iframe embed — features eDrawings doesn't offer.

Frequently asked questions about viewing SolidWorks files online

How can I view a SolidWorks file without SolidWorks?

If you have SolidWorks, export the file to STEP (File → Save As → .step), then upload the STEP file to an online viewer like OmniView 3D — no license needed to view it afterward. If you don't have SolidWorks yourself and received a .SLDPRT/.SLDASM file, ask the sender for a STEP export, or use eDrawings Viewer (free from Dassault), which opens native SolidWorks files directly.

What is the best free SolidWorks viewer?

For browser-based sharing from a STEP export, OmniView 3D is the best option: no installation, shareable link, works on mobile. For opening native .SLDPRT/.SLDASM files directly, eDrawings (Dassault) is the official free option but requires installation on both sides.

Can I open SLDASM assemblies without SolidWorks?

Yes, via a STEP export (AP214 or AP242 preserve assembly structure). Export the full assembly from SolidWorks to STEP, then upload it to OmniView 3D — the exploded view feature lets you separate and inspect individual components interactively.

Will the recipient need SolidWorks to open the shared link?

No. Once you've uploaded the STEP export, the shareable link opens the OmniView 3D web viewer directly — no SolidWorks, no eDrawings, no software required on the recipient's side. They just click the link.