1. Select and start
Choose or drop supported files to upload and process them immediately. You enter the workspace automatically; files added there also start processing immediately. Real samples use the same processing pipeline.
2. Process and inspect
The server queues each file, reads its CAD geometry and generates a mesh for interactive viewing. STEP/IGES properties are calculated from B-Rep geometry; mesh properties are approximate. Incomplete assemblies show warnings; properties cover loaded components only. Select components, change views or choose a density for mass.
3. Compare or export
Compare two 3D models visually and numerically; STEP pairs also support solid differences, or collect batch results in a CSV. Failed files remain visible with a reason.
4. Delete or cancel workspace files
Use Cancel while a file is processing and Delete all (or the row action) to remove workspace files. Temporary guest files are deleted with the task. The specifications list upload limits and measured load times. Signed-in files stay in the account library until deleted or expired; deleting a saved source also revokes its share links. Downloaded CSV files remain on your device.
Workspace reference
A practical workflow
Choose a file or drag it into the upload area. Read the current per-file size and selection limits before uploading. Files are processed on the server; selecting a file starts the upload. Wait for both processing and the visible model, then read any warnings. An extension alone does not prove that a file is valid or compatible.
Inspect the model
Rotate and zoom the model, use the orientation cube for a standard view, or use Fit to recover the full model. Structure lets you search and select components, enable multi-select, hide a selection, isolate it and restore all parts. A visibility checkbox changes display, not the source geometry. Double-click a component to focus it. Check that an assembly has all required components before relying on totals.
Use Section for a single plane, multiple cutting planes or a section box; move or rotate the cut, reverse its side, and inspect the filled section where available. Explode separates component occurrences and needs at least two components. Display provides surface, wireframe and transparent inspection; color, bounds, annotations, fullscreen and image export are available through the toolbar. Undo and Redo restore supported display changes. These inspection actions do not edit the original CAD model.
Measurement mode
Check X, Y and Z source-axis dimensions in Properties, then select a part, face, edge or point for a local inspection. The measurement toolbar exposes the modes supported by the current model: two-point distance, face distance, angle, edge length, hole or circle diameter, face area and solid volume. A mesh only supports its available approximate modes. Move a dimension label to keep it readable; delete one measurement or clear the set when finished.
Switch between metric and imperial display, or customize length, area, volume and mass units. Volume requires suitable closed geometry; an unavailable value is not zero. Set and verify material density before interpreting mass. Assembly totals count occurrences and do not subtract overlapping material. CSV exports the reported properties; image export records the current view. Inspect the exported values and warnings together.
Convert CAD files
Choose the source and an output offered for that source, then register or sign in to convert. For an assembly ZIP, retain relative paths and select the root model when prompted. Follow the actual upload and conversion states, read warnings, and initiate the result download only after success. Reopen the downloaded output and compare dimensions, units, component placement and geometric representation.
STEP and IGES exchange geometry, not the original feature history or constraints. Mesh outputs approximate surfaces with triangles; converting STL to OBJ does not reconstruct a precise solid. Available outputs depend on the input and server capabilities. Saving requires account capacity; a temporary result can still expire. Download before expiry and verify it in the receiving application. A download being initiated does not prove it finished.
OBJ or glTF downloads can be ZIP packages containing materials or external resources. Keep the downloaded filename and extension, extract the complete package for another application, or upload the ZIP for a supported preview. Renaming a ZIP to OBJ or glTF does not turn it into that format.
Compare two files
Upload two completed 3D versions as A and B. Inspect Differences, Side by side, Overlay and A / B switching where available. Synchronize views when useful. Solid Differences requires two supported, valid STEP models and is subject to the displayed limits and tolerance. It uses original coordinates: centering each model affects the view only; there is no automatic alignment. A visual match does not prove file identity. Check source warnings and the computed result before accepting a revision.
Batch properties
Select several models within the current batch limit. Follow each file's queued, processing, succeeded or failed state; a failed file must not disappear into a misleading complete total. Review dimensions, volume, area and density-based mass per file, then download the property CSV. Empty values mean unavailable properties. Recheck units and incomplete assemblies before combining rows, and keep failed files in your review notes.
Drawing preview
Pan by dragging, zoom by scrolling or pinching, fit the drawing and rotate the view by 90 degrees. Switch layouts where present and filter available CAD entities by layer or type. With supported CAD entities, use distance, horizontal, vertical or angle measurement; selected circles/arcs expose radius and diameter, and selected polylines expose length or area. Complete editable CAD previews can offer move, copy, delete and undo/redo; these controls are conditional and are not available on static previews. Export the available DXF or SVG and read incomplete-preview warnings before handoff.
2D drawings use their drawing controls and supported measurements. A drawing is not a 3D solid; do not interpret its view as evidence of volume, mass, solid differences or 3D sharing.
Original article: CADProps · https://www.cadprops.com/how-it-works/