CAD software is expensive. Sometimes we need to open a design only for review, measure and maybe print it. Those reasons often can’t justify us to purchase another seat. A free viewer is a great solution for this purpose. Let’s see the viewers that you can use.

The Magic Bullet: A360 Viewer

Autodesk has an online viewer, A360 Viewer. This viewer is provided as a cloud solution to view your CAD File. Because it’s a cloud solution, it means you don’t have to install software on your computer. All you need is a browser and internet connection.

It is also interesting that it supports almost every popular CAD format available.

You can save and share the uploaded file if you sign in using Autodesk account. By signing in, the file is kept for 30 days.

Revit Viewer Free

However, if you have an Autodesk account, you can upload the file in Autodesk 360 Drive for more options. The free account gives you 5GB storage.

Autodesk Revit Viewer Software Autodesk DWF Viewer v.6.5 Easily view and print 2D and 3D drawings, maps, and models in the DWF format-the ideal way to share data-rich design files-with the free. Autodesk® DWF™ Viewer. Download a free 30-day trial of Revit software to produce consistent, coordinated, and complete model-based building designs and documentation. Nov 03, 2016 The A360 online Revit Viewer is a great tool. It’s especially helpful for sharing Revit models with people who don’t have Revit, whether they be clients, other consultants or other staff in your own office. To use Revit Viewer, install Revit, and then do one of the following: From the Windows Start menu, select Revit Viewer. Create and use a desktop shortcut as follows, replacing ENU with the desired language code: 'C: Program Files Autodesk Revit 2021 Revit.exe' /viewer /language ENU.

The cons

A360 Viewer seems like a perfect solution. However, not everyone convinced to upload their file to the cloud and risk anyone to see it. And internet connection is a luxury that not everyone can have.

The Desktop Viewers

A desktop viewer is an acceptable solution for most users. We usually only need to see one or two file format to review, so we don’t need a viewer that can open anything. If you use Autodesk software, you can find all available free viewers here: Autodesk Viewers.

Revit Viewer

Autodesk Revit Viewer

Something is missing in the list: Revit Viewer. But don’t worry, you still can view the RVT file with a free viewer.

When you install Revit with the trial license, you can use Revit for 30 days. When the trial period is over, you can still use Revit to open files, but you can’t save the project. You can use the Revit Viewer icon to prevent Revit taking a license. It is very useful if you work with a networked license.

Because it was not a traditional viewer like the others, you can use all the features, but you can’t save the project. Or publish the project after you modify it. So you can use it for learning purpose too.

Revit Viewer Free Download

What Viewer Do You Use?

Revit Viewer App

Not all software vendor provides free viewer. It is good that Autodesk provides free viewers for their customer. What is your experience with viewers? What are the viewers that you use?