CADchat Help Center
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CADchat Help Center
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Getting Started
What are Organizations and Spaces?Create a spaceOpen a space
Navigation & Workspaces
Navigate the CADchat left navigationUse search to find spaces and filesBookmark a spaceShared With Me vs organization spacesManage spaces in your organization
Meetings & Calendar
Schedule a meetingView events on the calendarView meetings on the dashboardCopy meeting invitation details
3D Viewer & Collaboration
Use 3D viewer toolsSpace settings overviewChange camera type (Perspective vs Orthographic)Take measurements and change precisionWork with the 3D CanvasUse the 3D Canvas context menuInteract with 3D model parts
Chat, Threads & Comments
Chat in a spaceThreads overviewUpload a file in chatUse Add Pin and Threads
Files & Models
Upload a 3D model file to a spaceView assembly details
Sharing & Permissions
Invite people to a spaceManage sharing and general link accessUnderstand permission levels
Account & Notifications
Update your profileChange notification settingsLog out of CADchat
Organization & Admin Settings
Manage organization profileManage organization usersManage plan & billingInvite members at the organization level
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting access and permissionsTroubleshooting 3D navigationTroubleshooting blank pagesRestore a deleted space (Trash)
Spaces — Layout & Navigation
Understand the space layout
Documents Tab
Use the Documents tabWork with DXF and DWG layersManage document files
Whiteboard
Use the Whiteboard tab
Meetings in Spaces
Use the Meeting tab in a spaceStart an ad hoc meeting with the Meet button
User Preferences
User Preferences

Work with the 3D Canvas

Overview

The 3D Canvas is the primary workspace for viewing and collaborating on 3D models. You can navigate the model, use viewing tools to inspect it, and add annotations directly on the geometry.

Steps

  1. Open a space and click the 3D Canvas tab.
  2. If no model has been uploaded yet, click Upload 3D models or drag and drop a file into the upload zone.
  3. Once a model loads, use your mouse to navigate:
    • Rotate: Click and drag.
    • Pan: Right-click and drag.
    • Zoom: Scroll wheel.
  4. Use the ViewCube in the top right (labeled FRONT, BACK, etc.) to snap to standard views.
  5. Use the Roll -90 / Roll +90 buttons next to the ViewCube to rotate the view.
  6. Click the Home icon to reset to the default view.
  7. Click the Walk controls icon (fan shape) to enter first-person navigation mode.
  8. Right-click on the empty canvas background to open the canvas context menu with view and rendering options.
  9. Right-click directly on a model part to open the part context menu with options to zoom, hide, isolate, recolor, and apply materials to that part.

Additional details

  • Supported 3D file formats: .FBX, .GLTF, .STL, .GLB, .OBJ, .STP, .STEP, .3DS, .SLDPRT, .CATPART, .SLDASM, .PRT, .ZIP, .PAR, .IGES, .IGS, .RVT, .IPT, .IAM, .JT, .F3D, .3DM, .SKP, .IFC, .X_T, .X_B, .SAT, .1, .2, .3, .DWF, .DWFX
  • You can upload multiple 3D files to the same space. They appear in the Files panel on the left.
  • Double-clicking on a 3D part performs an action based on your User Preferences setting (default: Add Pin).

Troubleshooting

  • If the model does not appear after uploading, wait for processing to complete and refresh the page.
  • If navigation feels sluggish, try enabling Limit Resolution in User Preferences.
  • If the model appears very small, right-click the canvas and choose Fit To Screen.

Related articles

  • Use the 3D Canvas context menu
  • Interact with 3D model parts
  • Use the 3D viewer tools
  • Add and manage 3D model files
  • Space settings overview
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