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CADViewer by Orua
What it is
CADViewer by Orua is a free, open-source browser viewer for large engineering drawings and read-only previews. A single file entry and toolbar open DWG, DXF, STL, STEP or STP, IGES or IGS, and BREP or BRP files. DWG and DXF parsing uses a Web Worker with LibreDWG WebAssembly, progressively drawing entities through Canvas 2D and Path2D. OpenCascade WebAssembly processes 3D files locally, while WebGL displays them with selectable metal surface finishes. Controls include pan, wheel zoom, fit-to-view, zoom window, drawing-list visibility, and light or dark backgrounds. Font loading for SHX, TTF, OTF, and WOFF is deferred, and deployment configuration supports Simplified Chinese and English. It can run from a static web server without an application server or database, including offline or private-network setups. Selected files stay in the browser; no account, backend, or upload API is required. The project remains read-only and does not edit CAD entities.
For and against
For
- Opens major 2D and 3D CAD formats
- Processes selected files locally
- Supports static-server deployment
- Includes 2D and 3D navigation
- Free and open source
Against
- Read-only with no editing tools
- Some entities and images may not render
- Missing fonts can alter text
- Capacity depends on browser and drawing complexity
The verdict
CADViewer provides broad, local browser-based CAD viewing without an account or backend. Its read-only scope and rendering limitations matter when drawings require editing or perfect fidelity.
Who it suits
It suits people who need browser previews of large AutoCAD and other CAD files, including self-hosted or private-network users. It is intended for viewing rather than editing drawings.
Plans and prices
CADViewer
Open-source browser viewer · read-only · self-hosted static deployment
Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- 3D previews
- Three-dimensional formats are processed locally with OpenCascade WebAssembly and displayed with WebGL, with selectable metal surface-finish previews.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Capacity limits
- The project says supported drawing size depends on the drawing, browser, device memory, entity complexity, nested blocks, hatches, and fonts.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- CADViewer can be deployed on a static web server without an application server or database, and it documents offline or private-network configuration.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- File fidelity limits
- External raster images, proxy objects, and uncommon custom entities may not render, while missing fonts can change text appearance.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- File formats
- It opens DWG, DXF, STL, STEP/STP, IGES/IGS, and BREP/BRP through one file entry and toolbar.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Fonts and languages
- It defers SHX, TTF, OTF, and WOFF font loading and supports Simplified Chinese and English through deployment configuration.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Intended audience
- The project is aimed at users who need to preview large AutoCAD drawings in a browser, including through self-hosted deployment.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Large drawing rendering
- DWG/DXF parsing runs in a Web Worker with LibreDWG WebAssembly and progressively renders entities using Canvas 2D and Path2D.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Licensing
- The repository says LibreDWG WebAssembly components are distributed under GPL-3.0-or-later and other components retain their respective licenses.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Navigation
- The viewer supports pan, wheel zoom, fit-to-view, zoom window, drawing-list visibility, and light or dark backgrounds.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- Locally selected files are parsed in the browser, and the viewer does not require an account, application backend, or drawing-upload API.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- CADViewer is an open-source browser CAD viewer designed for large engineering drawings and read-only previews.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Read-only limits
- It does not provide CAD editing, entity-property panels, selection workflows, or a plugin system.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Security caveat
- The project notes that a hosting site may retain ordinary web-server access logs.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
