Encom Discover 3D Viewer — Ultimate Guide & FeaturesEncom Discover 3D Viewer is a desktop and web-capable application designed to let users open, inspect, and interact with 3D models across formats and industries. This guide covers what the viewer is, supported formats, key features, workflow tips, performance considerations, use cases, and recommendations for teams evaluating or deploying it.
What is Encom Discover 3D Viewer?
Encom Discover 3D Viewer is a visualization tool focused on fast, accurate rendering and inspection of CAD and mesh-based models. It’s built for engineers, designers, technical communicators, and reviewers who need to examine assemblies, measure geometry, review metadata, and share visual content without requiring full CAD authoring software.
Key short fact: Encom Discover 3D Viewer is a lightweight viewer for inspecting CAD and 3D mesh models without full CAD tools.
Supported file formats
Encom Discover supports a broad set of input formats commonly used in engineering and 3D workflows:
- Native CAD formats (depending on licensing): e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA, NX, Creo
- Neutral exchange formats: STEP, IGES, JT
- Mesh formats: OBJ, STL, FBX, glTF/glb
- 2D/technical drawing formats: PDF (embedded 3D), DWG (view-only)
- Proprietary/metadata-rich formats used in PLM systems
Note: exact native CAD support often depends on the installed import modules or licensing options.
Core features
- Model loading and navigation: quick open of large assemblies, smooth pan/zoom/rotate, and view presets (isometric, front, orthographic).
- Sectioning and clipping planes: create planar and box sections to inspect internal components.
- Measurement tools: point-to-point distances, radii, angles, and area measurements with snapping to geometry.
- Exploded views and animation: step-by-step explode sequences to study assembly structure.
- Metadata and BOM access: view part properties, material, and linked BOM/metadata from CAD/PLM sources.
- Markup and annotation: add text notes, highlight regions, and capture screenshot or PDF reports.
- Cross-section comparison & overlay: compare revisions or overlay different models to spot differences.
- Lighting, materials, and rendering modes: shaded, wireframe, hidden-line, and PBR previews for realistic inspection.
- Collaboration and sharing: export lightweight 3D packages (glTF), publish web-viewable scenes, or share annotated snapshots.
- Scripting and automation: macro or script support (depending on edition) for batch exports, measurements, or report generation.
Bold fact: Measurement, sectioning, BOM viewing, and annotation are core capabilities of Encom Discover 3D Viewer.
Typical workflows
- Quick inspection: open an incoming STEP or JT, use view presets, run measurements, add annotations, save screenshots.
- Design review: load assembly, create exploded view steps, annotate issues, export a PDF review package.
- QA and verification: run cross-section comparisons between revisions to detect geometry changes, export difference reports.
- Technical documentation: extract views and BOM data to populate manuals or parts lists.
- Collaboration: publish a web scene or lightweight glTF for stakeholders to view without CAD software.
Performance and system considerations
- Encom Discover is optimized for large assemblies but performance scales with CPU, GPU, RAM, and disk I/O. For assemblies with thousands of parts, a workstation-class GPU and 32+ GB RAM are recommended.
- Use of GPU-accelerated rendering and modern OpenGL/DirectX improves responsiveness for large meshes and PBR materials.
- File importers for native CAD formats can increase memory and CPU use; using neutral formats like JT or glTF for distribution reduces overhead.
Customization & integration
- PLM/PDM integration: connectors often available to pull metadata and BOM directly from systems like Encom PLM, Teamcenter, or Windchill.
- Export options: glTF/glb for web, OBJ/STL for mesh workflows, and PDF/PNG for documentation.
- API and scripting: some editions provide APIs for automating report generation, batch conversion, or embedding viewer functionality into custom portals.
Use cases by industry
- Automotive and aerospace: inspect complex assemblies, run tolerance checks, and produce exploded repair guides.
- Industrial equipment: create maintenance docs, verify part replacements, and share 3D visuals with field technicians.
- Manufacturing: validate incoming supplier models, check clearances, and extract BOMs for procurement.
- Education and training: lightweight access to 3D models for classes without costly CAD licenses.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fast loading and navigation of large assemblies | Native CAD import may require extra licensing |
| Rich measurement and annotation tools | Advanced features (scripting/PLM connectors) vary by edition |
| Multiple export formats including web-friendly glTF | High-performance hardware recommended for very large models |
| Good for cross-team collaboration without CAD licenses | Some proprietary format support depends on third-party kernels |
Tips & best practices
- Convert supplier native files to neutral formats (JT, STEP) for consistent viewing and smaller file sizes when sharing.
- Use level-of-detail (LOD) or simplified representations for extremely large assemblies to keep interactive performance smooth.
- Standardize annotation and review workflows (naming, color codes) so reviewers can quickly understand marked issues.
- Keep a reference BOM export alongside visualizations to speed procurement and documentation tasks.
Alternatives and when to choose Encom Discover
Consider Encom Discover when you need a focused viewer with measurement, BOM access, sectioning, and annotation but don’t require full CAD editing. Alternatives include free or paid viewers like Autodesk Viewer, eDrawings, 3D-Tool, and native CAD viewers — choose based on file format needs, PLM integrations, and collaboration features.
Final recommendation
Encom Discover 3D Viewer is a strong choice for teams that need reliable, fast visualization, measurement, and collaboration around 3D models without the cost and complexity of full CAD tools. Evaluate file-format needs and desired integrations, and test performance on representative assemblies before rolling out broadly.
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