Online 3D Viewer — The Complete Guide: Open STEP, IFC and STL in the Browser Without Uploading
Online 3D Viewer is an open-source 3D viewer (MIT) that runs in the browser with no installation. Its key advantage: when you open a file from your computer it is not uploaded to any server — all processing happens in the browser itself.
Online 3D Viewer
Online 3D Viewer project
Open STEP, IGES, IFC, STL, OBJ and more in the browser — files are processed locally, not uploaded to a server.
Get it from the vendorWhat you get
- CAD formats — STEP, IGES, BREP, 3DM and FreeCAD’s FCStd.
- BIM — opens IFC files.
- Meshes — STL, OBJ, 3MF and glTF.
- Export — save to formats such as STL, OBJ and glTF.
- Embedding — generate code to show the viewer on a website.
Who it suits
An engineer who received a model from a client or supplier and wants a quick look without CAD software — even on a computer without installation rights. The tool does not edit the model. The full source code is available on GitHub.
Related tools
For a fast desktop viewer with thumbnails — F3D. For DWG and Revit files in the browser — Autodesk Viewer. For checking IFC models in depth — Open IFC Viewer.
F3D
F3D-APP Foundation
Fast, minimalist 3D viewer — STEP, STL, OBJ, glTF and PLY, including thumbnails in the file manager.
Get it from the vendor
Autodesk Viewer
Autodesk
A free online viewer for more than 80 formats — DWG, RVT, IPT, STEP, SOLIDWORKS and more, right in the browser.
Get it from the vendor
Open IFC Viewer
Open Design Alliance (ODA)
A free, light IFC viewer, available for Linux and macOS too.
Get it from the vendor
Mayo
Fougue
3D CAD viewer and converter — STEP, IGES, BREP, STL, glTF and OBJ — with measuring tools and clip planes.
Get it from the vendorThe bottom line
Online 3D Viewer is the fast, safe way to look inside a 3D file — no installation, no upload and no cost.