Comparison

eDrawings vs 3D Model Viewer

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

eDrawings

View native CAD files, including SolidWorks, DWG, and DXF, on your mobile device. Utilize augmented reality to visualize 3D models in real-world settings. Easily share designs via email for enhanced collaboration.

Highlights
  • View native CAD files (SolidWorks, DWG, DXF)
  • Augmented Reality (AR) for 3D model visualization
  • Email-enabled file sharing for collaboration
  • Multi-touch gestures for navigation
  • Support for configurations, drawing sheets, and exploded views
  • Open files from various sources (email, cloud, web)
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

eDrawings® is the only CAD viewer on iPad, iPad mini, iPhone and iPod Touch that allows you to view native eDrawings files as well as native SolidWorks® parts, assemblies and drawings files. In addition, eDrawings allows convenient viewing of DWG and DXF files. eDrawings includes Augmented Reality (AR). This allows you to view your 3D models in 1:1 scale into the real world. By simply activating the device’s camera, you can bring your virtual 3D designs in a real context and see them in situ, sitting on your desk or on your conference room table or even in the palm of your hand, through your iPad, Pad mini, iPhone or iPod Touch’s screen. Move around the room and see your design from any perspective. eDrawings is the email-enabled communication tool that dramatically eases sharing of product design information. You can load and send files via email to collaborate more effectively with everyone involved in product development, including people who are not regular CAD software users to interpret and understand 2D and 3D designs. Multi-touch gestures let you pan, zoom, and rotate models easily. eDrawings also supports configurations, drawing sheets, and exploded views for eDrawings files published from SolidWorks® and all other supported CAD software. Features: * Intuitive and easy-to-use user interface * Visualize your 3D models in real context with Augmented Reality (AR) * Open 3D (EASM, EPRT, SLDASM, SLDPRT, IGES, IGS, JT, STEP, STP, IFC), 2D (EDRW, SLDDRW, DWG, DXF) and associated files from any source: email attachments, cloud storage services (Dropbox™, SkyDrive®, Google Drive, YouSendIt®, and others), web and FTP sites, networks, and iTunes® File Sharing. * Zoom, pan and rotate your 2D or 3D CAD data using multi-touch * Animate 3D standard views as well as 2D drawing views. * Browse your assembly components tree, configurations and drawing sheets * View your designs in full screen and double tap to fit it on screen * Adapt the scale of your 3D model in AR mode * Freeze the background in AR mode with viewpoint lock to prolong AR experience without holding up your device. * Sample files included For more information, visit: http://www.edrawingsviewer.com

About

3D Model Viewer

View and interact with various 3D model formats in both AR and 3D modes. This intuitive tool supports local and cloud documents, custom backgrounds, and shadow casting. Easily import models via multiple methods and share your creations.

Highlights
  • AR and 3D viewing modes
  • Supports numerous 3D file formats
  • Local and cloud document integration
  • Customizable backgrounds and shadows
  • Model information display (size, volume, etc.)
  • Multiple import and sharing options
Features
Read full description

An advanced 3D model viewer for viewing all kinds of 3D models. Featuring AR viewing, custom rotation pivot and exploded assembly view. Preview mesh models including OBJ, STL, STP, DAE, PLY and Blend, supporting rendering, animation playback, 3D printing and model data inspection. Features 1. Support AR and 3D viewing modes. 2. Customizable background and environment lighting. 3. Animation preview for GLB, GLTF, FBX and more formats. 4. Real-time shadow casting. 5. Local & cloud document management (iCloud, DropBox, etc.). 6. Set custom rotation pivot point for model viewing. 7. Exploded view function to separate assembly parts. 8. Wide format support: STP, STEP, BERP, IGES, 3DS, OBJ, GLB, GLTF, STL, SLC, 3MF, PLY, OFF, DAE, Blend, FBX, USDZ, MD2, MD3, MD5, MDL, MS3D, DXF, X Read packaged archives containing models, MTL files and textures: ZIP, RAR. 9. Multiple import ways: iTunes File Sharing, AirDrop, iCloud, email attachments, web download. 10. File sharing via AirDrop or Email. 11. Capture, share and save screenshots. 12. Auto rotation and full-screen viewing mode. 13. Display model metrics: dimensions, volume, surface area, vertex count and triangle count. 14. Folder management in the file browser. If you have any suggestions or questions, please email belighten@gmail.com. Thank you for your support!

Screenshots

eDrawings3 screens
3D Model Viewer3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: 3D Model Viewer at Free against eDrawings's $1.99. 3D Model Viewer also leads on rating (4.2 vs 2.5) and review sentiment (59% vs 32%). eDrawings's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5) and ads (none vs shown). On device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

3D Model Viewer is free to download; eDrawings costs $1.99 up front. 3D Model Viewer sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. eDrawings asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

3D Model Viewer holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 2.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: 3D Model Viewer has 328 ratings behind it against 17, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 32% of eDrawings's written reviews are positive against 59% of 3D Model Viewer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

eDrawings ships an update every 3 months, 3D Model Viewer every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
eDrawings versus 3D Model Viewer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametereDrawings3D Model Viewer
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating2.5 (17 ratings)4.2 (328 ratings) — better
Positive reviews32.0% of reviews59.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings17328 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#31 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size185 MB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDassault Systemes SolidWorks Corporation健 钟

Customer experience

eDrawings

All ratings17 ratings
Positive35.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative64.7%
Written reviews247 reviews
Positive32.0%
Neutral13.4%
Negative54.7%

3D Model Viewer

All ratings328 ratings
Positive78.7%
Neutral2.7%
Negative18.6%
Written reviews103 reviews
Positive59.2%
Neutral3.9%
Negative36.9%

User reviews

eDrawings

From 17 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Smooth rotation and zoom
  • 👍 Sleek and intuitive interface
  • 🚀 Handles large assemblies well
  • 👍 Practical for quick checks

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes on larger files
  • 🔍 Lacks key features like measuring, sectioning, and part visibility control
  • 💰 Paid app with limited functionality compared to free desktop version
  • 🐛 Compatibility issues with newer file formats and devices

3D Model Viewer

From 328 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great for viewing 3D models
  • 🚀 Fast model loading
  • 🔒 Supports many file formats

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and errors
  • 💸 Intrusive ads and paywalls
  • 🤯 Difficult to use interface
  • 🚫 Cannot open large files without paying

Bugs and requests

eDrawings

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Crashes on startup
  • Crashes when opening large files
  • Incompatibility with iOS 14 and newer devices
  • Inability to open personal files

Requested features

6 requests
  • Measuring tool
  • Sectioning tool
  • Ability to hide/show parts
  • Support for more file formats
  • Cloud storage integration
Show 1 more
  • Annotation and markup tools

3D Model Viewer

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashes when trying to delete models
  • Cannot open .3mf and .glb files
  • Texture and shading issues with some models

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add support for more 3D file formats
  • Improve model rendering quality
  • Implement better file management options
  • Provide more customization and control over model view

In-app purchases

None

eDrawings

No in-app purchases

5 purchases

3D Model Viewer

One-time5
  • Remove Ads$1.99
  • Model & Screenshot Output$1.99
  • Background from Album$1.99
Show 2 more
  • Large File Model$1.99
  • All Features$5.99

Questions

Is eDrawings free?
eDrawings costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is 3D Model Viewer free?
3D Model Viewer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, eDrawings or 3D Model Viewer?
3D Model Viewer is rated higher. eDrawings averages 2.5 out of 5 from 17 ratings, while 3D Model Viewer averages 4.2 from 328 ratings.
Do eDrawings or 3D Model Viewer have ads?
3D Model Viewer shows ads; eDrawings does not.
Which is updated more often, eDrawings or 3D Model Viewer?
eDrawings ships an update every 3 months, and 3D Model Viewer every 3 weeks. Most recently, eDrawings was updated on October 19, 2026 and 3D Model Viewer on October 14, 2026.

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