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Viewing 3D CAD files on a cheap Windows Tablet

Question asked by John Wayman on Mar 27, 2017
Latest reply on Jun 23, 2017 by John Wayman

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Am I missing something, or do I have to buy an expensive 64-Bit Windows tablet to enable my workshop colleagues to view CAD models?

I have a cheap tablet (32-Bit) with eDrawings on it, but eDrawings files saved from 2016 won't open.

Is there a solution?

I can't see any tablet lasting long out there, so buying an expensive one is not a sensible option.

I don't care what the format is, there surely must be something cheap or even free that can view 3D CAD models on a cheap and nasty Windows tablet. Or even an Android phone.

Any ideas?

John

Chris Clouser Mar 27, 2017 7:39 PM

Correct Answer

I think that's the problem, OP needs a newer tablet. He mention's android phone, and therefore my post above.

I'm not sure what his problem is with tablet reliability. These things can last for years as long as you don't drop it or sit on it. It's basically a big phone. the Fire I mentioned is $50 new and is a very nice piece. Installing eDrawings may be a little bit of a chore, but there are plenty of sites online that explain how to use the Play store or install a legit Android OS.

$50, we've wasted more money talking about it.

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Tony Cantrell Mar 27, 2017 11:47 AM

Save them out as 3D PDF's

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Chris Dordoni Mar 27, 2017 11:59 AM

Simlab has a viewer for Android/IOS. While the viewer is free, the Simlab application is reasonably priced, and is needed to save the files that the viewer can open.

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Michael Dekoning Mar 27, 2017 12:59 PM

You can buy eDrawings for a cheap Android tablet.

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Paul Risley Mar 27, 2017 1:38 PM

What version of e-drawings is on your tablet.

I would start there.

If it is Pre-2016 e-drawings then upgrade it to 2017 e-drawings and you should be able to open any e-drawings models.

If you have post 2016 e-drawings already I would go with 3d pdfs as a viable option for tablet.

We use those when on the road versus using e-drawings.

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Michael Dekoning @ Paul Risley on Mar 27, 2017 1:41 PM

eDrawings post 2015 is not supported on Windows 32-bit operating systems.

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Paul Risley @ Michael Dekoning on Mar 27, 2017 2:54 PM

Well learned something new today.

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Chris Dordoni Mar 27, 2017 3:24 PM

It would be interesting to know how the mobile viewers compare ... have not looked for any kind of comparison review myself ....

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Chris Clouser Mar 27, 2017 4:05 PM

there's an eDrawings app that can be used on android or apple. it sucks, but you can view 3D models via eDrawings. Last time I checked the apple version was better featured, but the android tablets are less expensive. The Amazon Fire tablet is $50 bucks and with a little knowhow you can put a normal android OS on it and run the app store. You may be able to install eDrawings on it without changing the OS as well by installing the eDrawings APK if you can find it online,

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Dennis Dohogne Mar 27, 2017 5:45 PM

The issue is viewing a 64-bit eDrawing file on a 32-bit system. It does not appear a good solution has been proposed that specifically addresses this.

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Chris Clouser @ Dennis Dohogne on Mar 27, 2017 7:39 PM

I think that's the problem, OP needs a newer tablet. He mention's android phone, and therefore my post above.

$50, we've wasted more money talking about it.

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John Wayman @ Chris Clouser on Jun 23, 2017 5:37 AM

Chris,

My concern was not regarding tablet reliability, it was regarding the tablet being run over by a fork lift, or covered in weld spatter, etc.

Things do seem to get knocked about in the workshop. Maybe we should make the workshop chaps buy their own tablet!

Thus, spending a lot on a tablet is not desirable.

I take your point about the Fire tablet being cheap, but it still needs me or someone to do stuff to it to make it work. I'm not that good at that kind of stuff...

Cheers,

John

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11 Replies

Tony Cantrell Mar 27, 2017 11:47 AM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
Save them out as 3D PDF's
Like • Show 2 Likes2
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Chris Dordoni Mar 27, 2017 11:59 AM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
Simlab has a viewer for Android/IOS. While the viewer is free, the Simlab application is reasonably priced, and is needed to save the files that the viewer can open.
Like • Show 1 Like1
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Michael Dekoning Mar 27, 2017 12:59 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
You can buy eDrawings for a cheap Android tablet.
Like • Show 1 Like1
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Paul Risley Mar 27, 2017 1:38 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
What version of e-drawings is on your tablet.

I would start there.

If it is Pre-2016 e-drawings then upgrade it to 2017 e-drawings and you should be able to open any e-drawings models.

If you have post 2016 e-drawings already I would go with 3d pdfs as a viable option for tablet.
We use those when on the road versus using e-drawings.
Like • Show 1 Like1
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- Michael Dekoning @ Paul Risley on Mar 27, 2017 1:41 PM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  eDrawings post 2015 is not supported on Windows 32-bit operating systems.
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  - Paul Risley @ Michael Dekoning on Mar 27, 2017 2:54 PM
    Mark Correct
    Correct Answer
    Well learned something new today.
    Like • Show 1 Like1
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Chris Dordoni Mar 27, 2017 3:24 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
It would be interesting to know how the mobile viewers compare ... have not looked for any kind of comparison review myself ....
Like • Show 1 Like1
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Chris Clouser Mar 27, 2017 4:05 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
there's an eDrawings app that can be used on android or apple. it sucks, but you can view 3D models via eDrawings. Last time I checked the apple version was better featured, but the android tablets are less expensive. The Amazon Fire tablet is $50 bucks and with a little knowhow you can put a normal android OS on it and run the app store. You may be able to install eDrawings on it without changing the OS as well by installing the eDrawings APK if you can find it online,
Like • Show 1 Like1
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Dennis Dohogne Mar 27, 2017 5:45 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
The issue is viewing a 64-bit eDrawing file on a 32-bit system. It does not appear a good solution has been proposed that specifically addresses this.
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- Chris Clouser @ Dennis Dohogne on Mar 27, 2017 7:39 PM
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  Correct Answer
  I think that's the problem, OP needs a newer tablet. He mention's android phone, and therefore my post above.
  
  I'm not sure what his problem is with tablet reliability. These things can last for years as long as you don't drop it or sit on it. It's basically a big phone. the Fire I mentioned is $50 new and is a very nice piece. Installing eDrawings may be a little bit of a chore, but there are plenty of sites online that explain how to use the Play store or install a legit Android OS.
  
  $50, we've wasted more money talking about it.
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  - John Wayman @ Chris Clouser on Jun 23, 2017 5:37 AM
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    Chris,
    My concern was not regarding tablet reliability, it was regarding the tablet being run over by a fork lift, or covered in weld spatter, etc.
    Things do seem to get knocked about in the workshop. Maybe we should make the workshop chaps buy their own tablet!
    Thus, spending a lot on a tablet is not desirable.
    I take your point about the Fire tablet being cheap, but it still needs me or someone to do stuff to it to make it work. I'm not that good at that kind of stuff...
    
    Cheers,
    
    John
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Viewing 3D CAD files on a cheap Windows Tablet

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