Click on any 3D object (valves, pipes, beams) to view its associated engineering attributes and metadata.
: For the most secure and up-to-date version, you should download it directly from the Hexagon Software Download Center .
Click Install . The process takes less than five minutes. Click Finish once it completes.
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While FreeView is completely free, Hexagon also offers a paid version called SmartPlant Review. It helps to understand the differences:
: Opens standard .VUE and .MDB2 files natively.
Locate the download link (often found under the "Free Utilities" or "Visual Computing" categories). Download the .zip or .exe installer file to your local drive. Step 4: Run the Installation Wizard Click on any 3D object (valves, pipes, beams)
Ideal for basic viewing, walking through models, and checking object properties. It cannot save views, create animations, or run clash detections.
What you do:
| Software | Pros | Cons | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Free, excellent for NWD files | Cannot open native SP3D data without export | | Autodesk Viewer | Cloud-based, no install | Requires uploading proprietary models | | eDrawings | Fast, supports .step/.iges | No native clash detection for plant design | | Blender (with add-ons) | Free & open source | Steep learning curve; needs file conversion | The process takes less than five minutes
By dawn, she sent back a mark-up with five critical clashes fixed before fabrication. The client praised the team's "seamless collaboration."
If large models stutter when you move, your computer might be using integrated graphics instead of your dedicated graphics card. Open your graphics card control panel (like NVIDIA Control Panel) and force FreeView.exe to run on the high-performance GPU. Model Appears Completely Black or Transparent