This article describes the eSHARE 3D CAD Viewer, an optional add-on to eSHARE Collaborate that enables native, in-tenant visualisation of 3D CAD model files within Microsoft 365. It is intended for eSHARE Collaborate users in engineering, manufacturing, and supply-chain organisations who need to understand what the viewer does and how to get started. The following sections are covered:
Business Use Case
Modern manufacturing and engineering organizations run complex supplier bid cycles that depend on 3D CAD model data. A single bid cycle can involve hundreds of external suppliers, each needing access to 3D geometry to produce accurate quotes, perform design-for-manufacturing analysis, and program CNC machines. Sharing that data securely and at scale has historically been one of the hardest problems in supply-chain collaboration. The problem with today's approach
JT files cannot be shared safely: JT is the most widely exchanged 3D model format in manufacturing supply chains, yet it is also the hardest to distribute in a controlled way. Sharing it today typically means losing governance of it.
IP leaves permanently: Files transferred to suppliers for review cannot be revoked. Non-winning suppliers retain sensitive CAD data and the intellectual property it contains — indefinitely.
Manual bundling slows bid cycles: Assembling and distributing file packages to each supplier round pulls engineers away from design work and adds weeks to each cycle.
The eSHARE 3D CAD Viewer eliminates these problems by bringing 3D model collaboration into the same governed, auditable, and revocable framework as every other shared asset in Microsoft 365. Every share, view, and interaction is governed, logged, and revocable through eSHARE Collaborate. Compliance evidence is generated automatically, not assembled at audit time. The viewer is designed for organizations where 3D model exchange is part of everyday operations:
Aerospace & Defence — primes and tier-1 suppliers sharing airframe, engine, and avionics designs across a global supply base.
Automotive — OEMs and tier suppliers exchanging parts and assemblies for quoting, DFM review, and CAM programming.
Medical Engineering — device makers, implant designers, and contract manufacturers operating under regulatory oversight.
Architecture & Construction — AEC firms reviewing structural models, fabrication details, and MEP coordination data with external partners.
How It Works
The eSHARE 3D CAD Viewer is embedded directly in the eSHARE M365 App and the Collaborate Web Portal (CWP). The viewer launches in place whenever a supported file is opened — no download, no external tool, and no additional application required for either the internal user or the external supplier.
Supported file format
At launch, the viewer supports JT files. JT (Jupiter Tessellation) is an ISO-recognized 3D model format (ISO 14306) widely used for visualization and supply-chain exchange across manufacturing industries. The viewer is powered by the Siemens PLM Vis Web toolkit.
Viewing and navigation
Once a JT file is opened, users can navigate the model freely:
Pan, zoom, and rotate to inspect the model from any angle.
Set visibility and transparency independently at the part level.
Browse the full product structure and select, show, or hide individual parts or sub-assemblies.
Measurement and analysis
A full suite of measurement tools is available from the 'Action Menu':
Measure edge-to-edge, face-to-face, point-to-point, point-to-edge, and point-to-face distances.
Calculate surface area and volume for a selected part or multi-part assembly.
Retrieve bounding box dimensions — minimum, maximum, and centre points — for any selected part.
Product Manufacturing Information (PMI)
PMI surfaces the tolerances, dimensions, and datum references embedded in the model. Users can:
Toggle PMI visibility on the model.
Interact with the PMI tree to navigate individual annotations.
Display saved design groups and model views.
Exploded view
Exploded view separates every component of an assembly so users can inspect individual parts, fasteners, and fit. It is accessible from the 'Action Menu' in both the M365 App and the CWP.
Annotations
Users can add drawing and text annotations directly on the model to share design intent or capture supplier feedback. Annotations are visible to all parties with access to the share. The ability to save annotations is planned for the V2 release of the viewer.
Secure sharing and governance
Next Steps
The 3D CAD Viewer is an optional add-on to eSHARE Collaborate. Enablement is performed at the organization level. To learn more about the viewer, schedule demos or discuss whether it is the right fit for your organization, contact your CSM directly.