3D-Tool Free plan 9.1 Visit Autodesk Viewer
viewer.autodesk.com
What it is
Autodesk Viewer is a free browser application for uploading, viewing, and sharing 2D and 3D design files, including Revit and AutoCAD projects. Supported formats include DWG, STEP, RVT, IGES, and SolidWorks. Its tools cover navigation, model browsing, properties, measurement, explode and section views, markup, printing, and screenshots. Users can share design views by link and collaborate with annotations and drawing tools. A shared view is a converted representation, not access to the source file, so stakeholders cannot retrieve or edit the original through it. Files saved in the service are not searchable, but anyone with the share link can access the design. Views last 30 days by default, and owners can extend the expiry date. An Autodesk Account is required. Viewer works in browsers on Windows, Mac, and Chrome OS. Autodesk Support states that 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.
Spec sheet
- What it does
- Autodesk Viewer lets users upload, view and share 2D and 3D design files in a browser.Read 19 Oct 2026 · help.autodesk.com
- Purpose
- Autodesk Viewer is a free browser application for uploading, viewing, and sharing designs, including Revit and AutoCAD files.Read 3 Oct 2026 · help.autodesk.com
- Integrations
- Autodesk presents the viewer as working with AutoCAD, Revit, Fusion 360, Inventor and other Autodesk products.Read 19 Oct 2026 · autodesk.com
- Account requirement
- Using Autodesk Viewer requires an Autodesk Account.Read 19 Oct 2026 · help.autodesk.com
- Automatic conversion
- Uploaded files are automatically converted into viewable representations.Read 19 Oct 2026 · help.autodesk.com
- Browser platform
- Autodesk lists Autodesk Viewer as browser-based and available on Windows, Mac, and Chrome OS.Read 3 Oct 2026 · autodesk.com
- Browser support
- The live viewer page specifies WebGL-capable Chrome 56+, Firefox 51+ and Edge 14+ browsers.Read 19 Oct 2026 · viewer.autodesk.com
- Collaboration
- Users can share a design view through a link and use annotations and drawing tools for online collaboration.Read 3 Oct 2026 · autodesk.com
- Company founded
- LinkedIn lists Autodesk’s founding year as 1982.Read 19 Oct 2026 · uk.linkedin.com
- Company headquarters
- LinkedIn lists Autodesk headquarters in San Francisco, California.Read 19 Oct 2026 · uk.linkedin.com
- Company size
- LinkedIn lists Autodesk as a public software company with 10,001+ employees.Read 19 Oct 2026 · uk.linkedin.com
- Data location
- Autodesk says Autodesk Viewer data is stored in the United States and regional storage is not supported.Read 19 Oct 2026 · autodesk.com
- Developer API
- The Viewer SDK is a JavaScript library for embedding and interacting with 2D and 3D models in websites.Read 19 Oct 2026 · aps.autodesk.com
- Documentation and support
- Autodesk provides guides, tutorials, API references, community support, Stack Overflow monitoring and optional Autodesk Developer Network support.Read 19 Oct 2026 · aps.autodesk.com
- Encryption and compliance
- Autodesk says Viewer is based on Forge, which it describes as ISO 27001 compliant, and that uploads are encrypted.Read 19 Oct 2026 · autodesk.com
- Extensibility
- The SDK supports toolbar customization, extensions and user-written plug-ins.Read 19 Oct 2026 · aps.autodesk.com
- File compatibility
- Autodesk lists support for more than 80 file types, including DWG, STEP, DWF, RVT and SolidWorks.Read 19 Oct 2026 · autodesk.com
- Licence
- APS APIs, SDKs, sample code and documentation are governed by Autodesk Terms of Use and Developer Terms.Read 19 Oct 2026 · autodesk.com
- Limit: editing
- G2 reviewers repeatedly say the viewer has limited or absent editing and is not a replacement for full design software.Read 19 Oct 2026 · g2.com
- Limit: large models
- G2 reviewers report slow loading or lag with heavy Revit and complex files.Read 19 Oct 2026 · g2.com
- Limit: markup and interface
- G2 reviewers ask for more markup options and a simpler interface.Read 19 Oct 2026 · g2.com
- Link access
- Files saved to Autodesk Viewer are not searchable, but anyone with the shareable link can access the design.Read 3 Oct 2026 · help.autodesk.com
- Markup
- Users can annotate designs with markup and drawing tools.Read 19 Oct 2026 · autodesk.com
- Measurement
- The viewer includes tools for measuring designs.Read 19 Oct 2026 · autodesk.com
- Model pipeline
- Developers prepare files with the Model Derivative API before loading them into the Viewer.Read 19 Oct 2026 · aps.autodesk.com
- Notable news
- On 8 December 2025 Autodesk announced updates consolidating APS and Autodesk Developer Network terms and clarifying API commercial-use rules.Read 19 Oct 2026 · adsknews.autodesk.com
- Praise: collaboration
- G2 reviewers describe convenient client sharing, coordination, comments and markup for design reviews.Read 19 Oct 2026 · g2.com
- Praise: ease and compatibility
- G2’s review summary says users repeatedly praise ease of use, broad compatibility, browser access and quick viewing or sharing without extra software.Read 19 Oct 2026 · g2.com
- Rating on G2
- 4.3 out of 5 from 62 reviewsRead 19 Oct 2026 · g2.com
- Rating on Gartner Peer Insights
- 4.4 out of 5 from 354 reviews for Autodesk overall; the listing covers multiple Autodesk products rather than Autodesk Viewer specifically.Read 19 Oct 2026 · gartner.com
- Rating on Trustpilot
- 1.3 out of 5 from 198 reviews for Autodesk overall, with complaints about support, crashes and subscription experiences.Read 19 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
- Recommended hardware
- For complex models Autodesk recommends 16–32GB RAM, a high-end discrete GPU, Windows/macOS/Linux and a current 64-bit Chrome.Read 19 Oct 2026 · aps.autodesk.com
- Retention
- Design views are available for 30 days by default, and owners can extend their expiry date.Read 3 Oct 2026 · help.autodesk.com
- Security and compliance
- Autodesk says its security practices include a secure software development lifecycle, continuous vulnerability assessment, and risk mitigation, and that it conducts audits and third-party security assessments.Read 3 Oct 2026 · autodesk.com
- Self-hosting limitation
- The older Viewer guide says Autodesk-hosted Viewer JavaScript must be used and the Forge Viewer only displays files generated by Forge services.Read 19 Oct 2026 · aps.autodesk.com
- Shared-link security
- Shared links normally expire after 30 days, and Autodesk says password protection or additional authentication is not currently available.Read 19 Oct 2026 · autodesk.com
- Sharing
- Design views can be shared online with colleagues and stakeholders.Read 19 Oct 2026 · help.autodesk.com
- Source-file access
- People receiving a design view cannot access or edit the uploaded source file.Read 19 Oct 2026 · help.autodesk.com
- Supported DWG and Revit limits
- DWG object-enabler viewing is limited to AutoCAD Architecture, Plant 3D, and Civil 3D, and RVT support covers Revit 2015 or later files.Read 3 Oct 2026 · help.autodesk.com
- Supported formats
- The help center lists Autodesk and non-Autodesk formats such as IFC, IGES, OBJ, STL, STEP, SLDPRT and SKP.Read 19 Oct 2026 · help.autodesk.com
- System requirements
- APS documentation recommends at least a 2.3GHz CPU, 8GB RAM and current Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Edge for basic desktop viewing.Read 19 Oct 2026 · aps.autodesk.com
- Upload limit
- Autodesk Support states that each Autodesk Viewer upload must be smaller than 1GB.Read 19 Oct 2026 · autodesk.com
- Viewing tools
- The viewer includes navigation, model browsing, properties, measurement, explode, section, markup, printing, and screenshot tools.Read 3 Oct 2026 · help.autodesk.com
Plans and prices
Autodesk Viewer Free browser-based · Autodesk account required · 1GB maximum upload per file Read 19 Oct 2026 · help.autodesk.com
Free Free Requires an Autodesk Account · Uploaded designs expire after 30 days by default · Anyone with a shared link can access the design Read 3 Oct 2026 · help.autodesk.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Free browser-based viewing and sharing
- Supports many 2D and 3D file formats
- Includes measurement, markup, and section tools
- Owners can extend view expiry dates
Limits
- An Autodesk Account is required
- Views expire after 30 days by default
- Anyone with a share link can access the design
- Data is stored in the United States only
Who it suits
Autodesk Viewer suits people who need browser-based viewing, measurement, markup, or sharing of design files. It is less suited to stakeholders who need access to or editing of the original source through a shared view.
Verdict
Autodesk Viewer offers a broad set of design viewing and collaboration tools at no charge. Account requirements, link access, view expiry, and US-only data storage are worth weighing before sharing files.
Where Specifiction places it
- CAD Viewer Software#4 of 318.9
