F3D vs Graphisoft BIMx

F3D is free software for viewing 3D data, browsing models, and generating renderings. It supports lighting and materials for realistic rendering, animations with GPU-accelerated skinning for character rigs, and visualization tasks such as CAD, Gaussian splatting, volume rendering, and scientific work. Its supported formats include VTK, STL, DICOM, STEP, OBJ, glTF, FBX, USD, IFC, and Gaussian splat files, among many others. Packages are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android, and a browser viewer can open or accept dropped files and provides rendering and display controls. Developers can use a Python package, a beta JavaScript/WebAssembly package, or the libf3d C++ library with Python and Java bindings. F3D is distributed under the BSD 3-Clause License. Some capabilities have specific limits: FBX PBR materials and Alembic materials are unsupported, while Gaussian splatting requires OpenGL 4.3, which macOS does not support. Documentation also says volume rendering and HDRI need a decent GPU. Plugins can vary by package.

Graphisoft BIMx brings layouts, 3D models, and BIM data together in a .bimx file for architects, engineers, construction teams, and clients. It supports game-like navigation through 3D models and links from Hyper-models to project documentation. BIMx Issues lets users mark up 2D and 3D views, with BCF-compliant issues. Presenter and Gallery support presentations and client exploration, while the Web Viewer can be embedded on a website. Users can inspect building-element details such as fire ratings and manufacturer-specific properties. Graphisoft says facility managers and owners can connect Facilities Management databases with models for maintenance. Models can be shared by web link through BIMx Model Transfer; private Hyper-model sharing is for Graphisoft Subscribers, SSA, and Forward users. BIMx is free on the web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Opening projects in the mobile and desktop apps requires a registered Graphisoft ID; without signing in, users can access sample content and one additional custom model. After sign-in, authentication can last up to one year with occasional online access, or up to seven days offline.