3DSwymer Apps: 3DDrive and 3DPlay

Did you know you can easily share and have anyone view your CAD files with a simple URL link? How about being able to sync your local file explorer folder contents with your cloud storage?

We will be looking at two of the included apps contained in the 3DSwymer role that is available to anyone with their own 3DEXPERIENCE Platform.

You might already have both of them on your 3DEXPERIENCE Platform, refer to a previous blog to find out more on SOLIDWORKS cloud services.

• The 3DDrive app lets you store your files; while the 3DPlay app lets you open and view them, solely with your web browser.

Now you might be thinking about its similarities to any other cloud storage or file transfer services like Google Drive/OneDrive/WeTransfer; but it’s not, it can do so much more.

It distinguishes itself by providing external parties the ability to preview and explore your 3D or 2D files straight from their web browser before any downloads are done. However, do note they need to create a free account first if they do not have a 3DEXPERIENCE ID.

3DPlay supports a wide variety of file formats including SOLIDWORKS, CATIA, other CAD systems, neutral file formats like 3dxml, ACIS, IFC, IGES, JT, OBJ, Parasolid, STEP, STL, DWG/DXF, Microsoft Word/Excel/PowerPoint, and more…

A Full list can be found at:

Supported PLM Objects and 2D and 3D File Formats - User Assistance R2023x (3ds.com)

Here’s a short-list of what you can do with the 3DPlay external web app:

• View and navigate around your CAD files
• Choose from a variety of model display styles, applied appearances, ambience/background and more view mode settings
• Walk/Fly-through navigation
• Hide/show objects
• Explode out assembly components
• Do quick measurements
• Apply Section-views
• Annotate with Basic Markups & Texts (more markup functions available with 3D Markup app)
• Write, reply and like comments in the comments section pane
• Publish your annotations and markups to 3DSwym community forum or chats

• Next up, we will look at syncing your local file explorer folder contents with your cloud storage on 3DDrive.

You can install the 3DEXPERIENCE Drive for Windows and create a local folder location in your file explorer.

Once you have defined the folder, you will be able to see all your 3DDrive files on the platform.

Any files you add/remove/edit inside that local folder location will be shown in your 3DDrive folder as well. The opposite is true for any file changes made inside the 3DDrive folder on the platform.

This synchronization does not just exist between the 3DDrive folder and a single computer, but any other computers that you install your 3DEXPERIENCE Drive using your account.

No more having to worry about not having access to a certain file while on different devices or when on/off the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.

There is so much more that can be done with the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform and roles, do look out for more relevant content in the future!

If you have any questions on the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform, you can contact us at support@seacadtech.com and we will assist you.