An industrial equipment manufacturer finds that 70% of its employees never access CAD data due to lack of available licenses. Sales teams present products without visualizing 3D models, maintenance intervenes in the field without access to technical drawings, and training is conducted on obsolete 2D materials. This fragmentation of access to technical data costs the company 15% additional time on each project and compromises the quality of operational decisions.
This situation illustrates the strategic challenge of democratizing access to CAD data in technical consolidation projects. Universal visualization allows all stakeholders to consult, analyze, and collaborate around 3D models without license or format constraints. This democratization transforms consolidated technical data into a true lever of collaborative performance.
Democratization of technical data access
CAD consolidation generates considerable volumes of centralized technical data, but their exploitation often remains limited to CAD license holders only. This access restriction constitutes a major brake on valorizing investments in technical data consolidation.
Universal visualization solutions eliminate these barriers by enabling 3D model consultation without license or native format constraints. This democratic approach transforms consolidated data into a shared resource accessible to the entire organization.
The organizational impact goes beyond simple technical consultation. Democratization favors the emergence of new collaborative uses and significantly improves collective decision-making around technical projects.
Universal accessibility
70% additional users access CAD data
Economic challenges of technical accessibility
CAD licenses represent a considerable investment for industrial organizations. The cost of a professional license varies between 5,000 and 15,000 euros annually, naturally limiting the number of users authorized to consult technical data.
This restriction generates major operational inefficiencies. Waiting times to consult a model, paper prints of complex plans, and interpretation errors of 2D documentation constitute avoidable additional costs.
Financial impact of limited accessibility
| Issue | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Consultation waiting times | 10-15% project time |
| 2D interpretation errors | 5-8% technical rework |
| Printing and documentation | 2-3K€ /project |
| Collaborative efficiency loss | 20% decision cycles |
Transformation of organizational uses
Universal visualization fundamentally transforms technical collaboration modes. Multidisciplinary teams can now share a common vision of projects, independently of their specific CAD expertise.
This democratization favors the emergence of new technical user profiles. Sales staff, maintenance technicians, quality managers, and trainers directly access 3D models, enriching their interventions with deep technical understanding.
The impact is also measured in terms of organizational reactivity. Technical decisions accelerate thanks to immediate access to visual information, reducing validation and approval cycles for projects.
Universal visualization technologies
Technological universality
Extended support for more than 60 native and neutral CAD formats
High-performance multi-format reader
Modern CAD visualization technologies rely on universal reading engines capable of directly interpreting native formats from major design systems. This capability eliminates preliminary conversions that are sources of visual degradations.
Optimized reading architecture enables fluid display of voluminous models containing millions of geometric entities. Adaptive rendering techniques automatically adjust detail level according to available hardware capabilities.
Extended support for technical metadata preserves PMI information integrity, assembly structures, and material attributes. This informational richness maintains the technical value of visualized models.
Extended compatibility
More than 60 CAD formats natively supported
Responsive web interface and mobility
Modern web interfaces democratize access to 3D models via standard browsers, eliminating software installation constraints. This web-native approach facilitates organizational deployment and reduces technical maintenance costs.
Responsive optimization guarantees consistent user experience across all devices, from high-resolution screens to touch tablets. This adaptability meets field team mobility requirements.
WebGL graphics acceleration technologies exploit modern graphics card capabilities to optimize display performance. This technical optimization enables fluid manipulation of complex models even on modest hardware configurations.
Multi-device synchronization facilitates distributed collaborative sessions. Multiple users can simultaneously consult and annotate the same model from different geographical locations.
Optimized mobile solutions
Dedicated mobile applications extend access to consolidated CAD data on field equipment. Smartphones and tablets become technical tools enabling contextual consultation of 3D models directly on site.
Touch interface-specific optimization facilitates intuitive 3D navigation. Zoom, rotation, and selection gestures adapt to mobile screen ergonomic constraints, preserving usage efficiency.
Offline synchronization guarantees model access even without network connectivity. This capability meets field intervention constraints where connectivity may be limited or non-existent.
| Platform | Supported formats | Specific features |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop Windows/Mac | 60+ native formats | Maximum performance, advanced tools |
| Web interface | Optimized formats | Universal access, real-time collaboration |
| Mobile applications | Lightweight formats | Touch interface, offline mode |
| Augmented reality | AR-optimized models | Contextual overlay, 3D interaction |
3DViewStation solution for technical collaboration
Advanced visualization
Complete solution for 3D visualization and collaboration
3DViewStation represents the reference solution for democratizing access to consolidated CAD data. This integrated platform combines high-performance visualization and advanced collaborative features in a unified technical environment.
3DViewStation's modular architecture adapts to different organizational usage contexts. Desktop version for intensive users, web interface for distributed collaboration, and mobile applications for field access constitute a coherent technical ecosystem.
High-performance visualization engine
3DViewStation's graphics engine exploits the latest hardware acceleration technologies to guarantee fluid display of the most complex models. Multi-core optimization efficiently distributes rendering calculations across all available processor resources.
Adaptive simplification algorithms automatically adjust detail level according to viewing angle and observation distance. This dynamic optimization preserves display performance even on assemblies containing thousands of components.
Native support for major CAD formats eliminates intermediate conversions preserving visual fidelity and richness of technical metadata integrated into source models.
Technical performance
- 60 FPS rendering on complex models
- Support for 100k+ part assemblies
- Automatic GPU optimization
- Progressive model streaming
- Intelligent data cache
Intuitive user interface
3DViewStation's user interface prioritizes ease of use to facilitate adoption by non-CAD expert users. 3D navigation tools are inspired by modern ergonomic standards, reducing the learning curve.
Advanced customization allows interface adaptation to each user profession's specificities. Sales staff, maintenance technicians, and quality managers have optimized views for their specific functional needs.
Smart shortcuts automate repetitive 3D manipulation tasks. Cutting, assembly exploding, and component highlighting functions activate with simple clicks, optimizing daily usage efficiency.
Contextual integration of visual aids guides new users in discovering functionalities. This pedagogical approach accelerates organizational tool appropriation.
Technical ecosystem integration
Universal connectivity
Native integration with major PLM, ERP and document platforms
3DViewStation integrates natively with major PLM platforms on the market, automating access to latest revisions of consolidated models. This synchronization guarantees visualization consistency with current technical data state.
ERP connectors facilitate visualization enrichment with associated management data. Costs, suppliers, inventory, and bills of materials display contextually on 3D models, enriching business analyses.
Document integration enables automatic association of technical documentation with visualized components. Assembly instructions, maintenance procedures, and technical specifications are accessed directly from the 3D interface.
Open APIs facilitate development of integrations specific to organizational needs. This technical extensibility preserves customization investments and optimizes adaptation to existing processes.
Advanced collaboration features
Technical collaboration is significantly enriched through 3DViewStation's integrated functionalities. Contextual annotation, precise measurement, and revision comparison transform passive visualization into a performant collaborative analysis tool.
Annotation and technical communication
Annotation tools enable adding technical comments directly on 3D models. These contextual annotations facilitate communication between teams and preserve traceability of technical exchanges around consolidated projects.
The richness of annotation tools covers all technical communication needs. Free text, directional arrows, highlighting zones, and screenshots enrich technical comment expression.
Real-time synchronization enables simultaneous collaboration of multiple users on the same model. This collaborative capability transforms technical review sessions into true distributed participatory workshops.
Real-time collaboration
Synchronous multi-user annotation on 3D models
Measurement and dimensional analysis
Integrated measurement functions enable precise dimensional analysis directly on visualized models. Distances, angles, surfaces, and volumes are calculated automatically, enriching technical analysis without recourse to native CAD tools.
Measurement precision respects original modeling tolerances, guaranteeing reliability of dimensional analyses. This technical accuracy validates use for quality controls and compliance verifications.
Automatic export of measurement results facilitates integration into technical reports. Measurement tables, annotated screenshots, and dimensional data export to standard office formats.
Predefined measurement templates accelerate repetitive controls. Automotive, aerospace, and mechanical industries benefit from specialized verification models adapted to their sector constraints.
Revision comparison and modification tracking
Automatic comparison between model revisions instantly visualizes technical evolutions. Geometric modifications, component additions and deletions are visually identified by color codes, facilitating change analysis.
This functionality meets technical traceability requirements in CAD consolidation projects. Visual history of evolutions constitutes precious documentation for quality processes and compliance audits.
Automated comparison report generation automatically produces change documentation. These structured reports feed modification management systems and facilitate communication with project stakeholders.
Augmented reality and technical immersion
AR/VR innovation
Contextual model overlay on real environment
Integrated augmented reality technologies enable overlaying 3D models on real environment. This capability revolutionizes maintenance interventions and facilitates spatial understanding of technical installations.
Field use of AR-equipped tablets and smartphones transforms consolidated models into contextual visual guides. Technicians and operators access technical information directly overlaid on physical equipment.
Multi-platform architecture and deployment
Flexible deployment
Modular architecture adapted to organizational and technical constraints
High-performance desktop solutions
3DViewStation's desktop version fully exploits workstation hardware resources to offer maximum visualization performance. This configuration meets intensive user needs requiring advanced technical analysis capabilities.
Multi-screen optimization facilitates technical workspace organization. 3D models, structure tree, properties, and documentation display simultaneously, optimizing consolidated data analysis efficiency.
Native integration with Windows and MacOS operating systems guarantees consistent user experience with existing technical environment.
Maximum performance
Optimal exploitation of GPU and CPU resources
Web platform and universal accessibility
3DViewStation's web interface democratizes access to consolidated data via standard browsers. This approach eliminates software installation constraints and facilitates large-scale organizational deployment.
Cloud-native architecture enables instant availability of new functionalities without user intervention. Transparent updates guarantee permanent access to latest technological evolutions.
Automatic scalability adapts to user load variations. Activity peaks during project reviews and distributed daily usage benefit from dynamic server resource allocation.
Integrated security mechanisms protect access to sensitive data. Reinforced authentication, exchange encryption, and granular rights control secure web exposure of consolidated models.
Server architecture and centralized administration
Centralized server architecture optimizes consolidated CAD data management. Automatic indexing, intelligent cache, and optimized distribution guarantee fast response times independent of hosted technical data volume.
Administration tools enable centralized user management, access policy definition, and system performance monitoring. This centralization simplifies technical governance and facilitates compliance with security requirements.
Horizontal scalability enables adaptation to data volume and user growth. Modular architecture facilitates server capacity addition without service interruption, preserving operational continuity.
| Architecture | Optimal use case | Specific benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop Windows/Mac | Intensive CAD users | Maximum performance, advanced functions |
| Web server | Extended collaboration | Universal accessibility, centralized administration |
| Hybrid cloud | Distributed organization | Scalability, security, service continuity |
| Embedded mobile | Field intervention | Mobility, AR context, offline mode |
Universal visualization transforms consolidated CAD data into a collaborative resource accessible to all organizational stakeholders. 3DViewStation provides a complete response to technical democratization challenges, guaranteeing accessibility and usability of consolidated models. This collaborative approach optimizes consolidation investment valorization and strengthens collective efficiency of technical teams.
