# 3DXML Viewer Online: Open XML Triangle Meshes

Open XML-tessellated 3DXML files online, inspect placed components and missing geometry, and check unit limits. Binary representations and exact B-Rep are unsupported.

A `.3dxml` file can hold a product structure and references to geometry. CADProps opens supported **XML triangle meshes**, either in an uncompressed XML document or in a 3DXML package. You can rotate the loaded mesh and inspect its placed components without installing CATIA. Selecting a file uploads it to CADProps servers; viewing does not require an account.

## Open the original 3DXML package

1. Upload the original `.3dxml`, keeping the package intact when it contains several documents.
2. Wait for the mesh, then rotate, zoom and fit it to inspect the visible parts.
3. Check the component list and completeness warnings. Package-local product and representation references use their saved instance transforms, including repeated placements.
4. Compare the loaded scope with the sender's expected model. A partial scene can still be viewed, but its whole-model physical properties are unavailable.

Separate files referenced outside the uploaded package are not fetched from a network or the sender's computer. Ask for a self-contained package when documents are missing.

## XML tessellation and binary geometry are different

The supported path reads XML triangle representations. Binary `.3DRep` geometry, exact B-Rep, textures and line-only representations are not displayed. A package containing both usable triangles and unsupported representations shows the available mesh with omissions. A binary-only file needs a STEP export or a new 3DXML export containing XML tessellation; changing its filename cannot supply that geometry.

The distinction also matters for CATIA files: [CATPart viewing](https://www.cadprops.com/tools/catia-viewer/index.md) uses a separate native-part reader, while a CATProduct shows its saved thumbnail. A 3DXML mesh is not evidence that the original CATIA solid or feature tree was recovered.

## Units and approximate properties

Physical units are **unverified** on this path. Coordinates are assumed to be millimetres; changing the display unit does not verify that assumption. Confirm the source scale and a known dimension with the sender before using any number.

Available bounds, point distances and mesh properties are approximate. Volume and density-based mass need a complete, closed, consistent surface; a visible open mesh does not provide solid volume. See [mesh closure](https://www.cadprops.com/guides/watertight-cad-mesh/index.md) and [accuracy limits](https://www.cadprops.com/accuracy/index.md) before reporting results. CADProps does not provide exact B-Rep edge or diameter measurements, native 3DXML editing or source feature history here.

## Export the loaded mesh

After signing in, supported loaded meshes can be exported as STL, OBJ, GLB, glTF, 3MF or tessellated mesh STEP. These outputs contain triangles, not reconstructed analytic CAD surfaces. They do not turn a 3DXML mesh into an exact STEP solid. For a CAD or CAM handoff requiring precise surfaces, request STEP from the authoring application and check it in the [STEP viewer](https://www.cadprops.com/tools/step-viewer/index.md).

## Upload scope and retention

3DXML containers are limited to 10,000 entries and 200 MiB expanded data. The reader also bounds parsed documents, triangles and placed components; a large package may exceed these limits. An outer user-uploaded ZIP keeps its separate normal archive limits. The [format matrix](https://www.cadprops.com/supported-formats/index.md) and upload form describe the applicable limits.

Guest copies are temporary, tied to the browser session, and expire at the displayed deadline; they can be deleted earlier. Account storage and share creation require signing in. Review the [privacy policy](https://www.cadprops.com/privacy/index.md) for server processing and retention.

## Related reading

- [CATIA file tools and native-file limits](https://www.cadprops.com/catia/index.md)
- [What tessellation changes](https://www.cadprops.com/guides/cad-tessellation/index.md)
- [STEP versus STL: exact geometry and triangles](https://www.cadprops.com/guides/step-vs-stl/index.md)
- [Other supported mesh formats](https://www.cadprops.com/mesh-formats/index.md)

## Capabilities and limits

- View supported 3DXML XML triangle meshes and package-local placed components; missing or binary representations mark the scene incomplete.
- Approximate mesh only, with unverified units assumed millimetres. Binary geometry, textures, exact B-Rep and native editing are unsupported.
- Files are uploaded for server processing; external resources are not fetched.
- View without an account. Sign in for mesh export, account storage or share creation; guest copies are temporary.

## Questions about this task

### Can I open a 3DXML file without CATIA?

Yes, for supported XML-tessellated documents and packages. CADProps displays approximate triangle geometry with package-local instance transforms. Binary representations, textures and exact B-Rep are unsupported; missing geometry is reported.

### Are 3DXML dimensions and units exact?

No. Mesh measurements are approximate and physical units are unverified; coordinates assume millimetres. Confirm a known dimension and source units. Incomplete scenes have no whole-model physical properties; volume and mass require a closed, consistent mesh.

### Can I convert 3DXML to exact STEP?

This path exports the loaded mesh as STL, OBJ, GLB, glTF, 3MF or tessellated mesh STEP after signing in. It does not reconstruct exact CAD surfaces. Request STEP from the authoring application for a precise geometry handoff.

### What happens to uploaded 3DXML files?

Files are processed on CADProps servers. Guests can view without an account; their session copies expire at the displayed deadline and can be deleted earlier. Conversion, account storage and share creation require signing in.

HTML page: https://www.cadprops.com/tools/3dxml-viewer/