The primary free tool for viewing SOLIDWORKS files is eDrawings Viewer, which is developed by SOLIDWORKS itself. It allows you to view, print, and review native SOLIDWORKS parts (.SLDPRT), assemblies (.SLDASM), and drawings (.SLDDRW). Recommended Free Viewers

Report: Update — Free SolidWorks Viewer Options (March 25, 2026)

Summary

eDrawings Viewer is the official free software provided by Dassault Systèmes for viewing and printing 2D and 3D CAD data. Key Features:

3.2 What You Get Free (vs. Paid)

| Feature | Free eDrawings | Paid eDrawings Pro | |---------|----------------|---------------------| | View native SLDPRT/SLDASM/SLDDRW | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | | Measure geometry | ✅ Limited (no mass properties) | ✅ Full | | Markup & redline | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | | Export to 3D PDF | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | | Save as STL/IGES | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | | Real-time updates for new SolidWorks versions | ✅ (basic compatibility) | ✅ (plus advanced features) |

3. Animation Control

Use the Play button at the bottom of eDrawings to view exploded views created in the native SolidWorks. The free viewer respects all saved explode states.

The primary tool for viewing SolidWorks files for free is eDrawings Viewer, a lightweight solution developed by Dassault Systèmes for users who need to view, print, and review 2D and 3D CAD data without a full SolidWorks license. 1. Core Free Viewer: eDrawings Viewer

3.3 Real-World Update Delay Example

  • SolidWorks 2025 released: October 2025
  • eDrawings 2025 free viewer released: November 2025 (approx. 4 weeks later)
  • Bug-fix update (2025 SP1): January 2026 (2 months after initial)

Includes zoom, pan, rotate, 3D sectioning, and basic measurement tools. Collaboration: Allows you to view markups and annotations added by others. 2. Autodesk Viewer (Best Online Option) If you don't want to install software, the Autodesk Viewer is a powerful browser-based alternative. No Install: Works entirely in your web browser on any device. High Compatibility:

The latest update to the SolidWorks Viewer brings several new features and improvements, including: