View 3D Files Online, With Measurements
Open STL, 3MF, OBJ, GLB, FBX, STEP and other 3D files in your browser. Measure, cut a section, check overhangs and see print stats without installing anything.
What you can check before printing
- Size: dimension lines show width, depth and height in mm (or inches). Most scale mistakes are visible here in a second.
- Watertightness: a yes/no indicator. If it says no, open the free print check to repair.
- Overhangs: red faces point downward steeply enough to need support. Rotate the model to see which orientation leaves the least red.
- Wall thickness: drag the section slider through the model and use click-to-measure on the cut face.
- Parts: the number of separate shells, so you spot loose fragments.
All of this is free and happens before you open a slicer.
Viewing STEP and CAD files without CAD software
STEP and IGES files come from CAD programs and contain exact surfaces rather than triangles. The viewer reads them with the OpenCascade kernel compiled to WebAssembly and turns them into a mesh for display. You can choose draft, normal or fine tessellation: draft opens large assemblies quickly, fine shows curves smoothly for close inspection.
This is useful when a supplier sends a STEP file and you just want to check dimensions, or when you want to see a part before committing to a slicer. Measurements are taken on the displayed mesh, so they are very close to the CAD values at fine quality.
Viewing G-code
G-code is the printer's instruction file, not a model. The viewer rebuilds the printed toolpaths and shows them as layers, so you can check that a sliced file contains what you expect before sending it to the printer, for example when someone shares a G-code file for your printer or you lost the original model.
You can also convert G-code back to an STL. The result is an approximate solid of the extruded paths, and its accuracy depends on the resolution you choose. It works for reprinting simple parts but will not restore the original smooth design.
Privacy and performance
Many online viewers upload your file to render or convert it on a server. MeshShift loads the file inside your browser tab, so confidential parts, client work and scans of people stay on your device. Nothing is stored after you close the tab.
Performance depends on your hardware. Files of a few hundred thousand triangles open instantly on most laptops and phones. Multi-million-triangle scans and files over 100 MB load on desktop machines with enough memory; if a phone struggles, try a desktop browser.
Frequently asked questions
Can I view STL files without installing software?
Yes. Drop the STL into the page and it opens in your browser with lighting, grid and measurements. There is nothing to install and no account to create.
How do I measure a 3D model online?
The bounding box dimensions are shown automatically. For any other distance, enable click-to-measure and click two points on the model; the distance appears in millimetres. Use the section slider first if you want to measure an inside wall.
Can I view a 3MF file with colours?
Yes. Choose the original colours material to see the colours stored in the 3MF. You can also switch to PLA, PETG or resin previews to judge how the print will look in a single material.
Does the viewer work on a phone?
Yes, in modern mobile browsers. Rotate with one finger, zoom with two. Very large files may be slow on phones because they have less memory than desktops.
Can I take a screenshot of the model?
Yes. The screenshot button saves a PNG of the current view, with the chosen material and lighting, which is useful for sharing a model or listing a print.
