SimLab CAD Viewer is a mobile application that allows you to view and navigate, on the go, computer-aided 3D designs and architectural models on iOS and Android devices.

SimLab CAD Viewer reads the SimLab Archive File (*.ZIM) exported either from SimLab Composer or the Android/iPad Exporter plug-in which is available for SketchUp, Rhino, SolidWorks, Inventor, 3ds Max, Maya, and Modo. The SimLab Archive Files (*.ZIM) include all the necessary data needed for displaying models on smartphones and tablets. The data include geometries, colors, materials, textures, cameras, scene states, and animations.

SimLab CAD Viewer is currently available for free and can be downloaded from the App Store (iOS) and Google play (Android).


Loading a Model

Upon launching SimLab CAD Viewer, list of pre-installed sample models appears to the user allowing him/her to start quickly in demonstrating the capabilities and the features that SimLab CAD View offers.

The library lists thumbnail images as links to the available models stored in device. The user can tap any of them to begin using our great app.


Navigate a Model

While navigating a model, the user uses his/her fingers to control the view and interact with the different element within the scene. The user can:

  • Rotate: The user is able to rotate a model by touching and moving a single finger along the surface of the screen of smartphone or tablet.
  • Pan: The user can pan the model by touching and moving two fingers in the same direction along the surface of the screen of smartphone or tablet.
  • Zoom: The user can zoom in and out by touching and moving two fingers closer to or farther from each other, respectively.
  • Reset Camera: To reset the camera, the user should double tap the device surface leading the view to be reset to the last selected state or camera.
  • Apply a scene state: For scenes that include scene states created by SimLab Composer, the user can also tap a scene state image updates the model to the new state according to its data associated with the selected scene state.


CAD Viewer Slider Options

The slider of SimLab CAD Viewer is only available while model navigation is on. It presents the following options:

  • Hide/Show: To hide or show template elements created by SimLab Template Designer.
  • Rotational Mode: To toggle between spin and free camera navigation modes.
  • Album Background : Set a Background from Device Photo Album.
  • Camera Background: Set a live Background from Device Camera.
  • Models Library:To switch back to Models Library
  • About App: Tap this icon for more information about App and contact details.


Adding a new model

SimLab Archive Files (*.ZIM) are exported from SimLab Composer, or any of SimLab iPad/Android exporter plug-ins. This can be done by:

  • In SimLab Composer: After switching to the Sharing Workbench then clicking Export button which is located under the Android/iPad Tab, or by clicking Export from the iPad/Android Settings dialog box.
  • In any of SimLab iPad exporter plug-ins: SimLab Archive Files (*.ZIM) are exported from SimLab plug-in menu.

The Generated (*.ZIM) files can be transferred to SimLab CAD Viewer in different ways.


» Using Google Drive

After uploading a ZIM file on Google Drive and launching its app, login using a Google account.


The user's directories will appear, and tapping a directory will show its contents.


Tap the ZIM file in order to reveal its details menu > Tap the "Open In" option > Then tap the "Open in SimLab CAD Viewer" icon.


» Using Dropbox

After uploading a ZIM file on dropbox and launching its app, login using a dropbox account.


The user's directories will appear, and tapping a directory will show its contents.


Tap the ZIM file in order to reveal its details menu > Tap the "Open In" option > Then tap the "Open in SimLab CAD Viewer" icon.


» Using USB Cable

For iOS devices: Using Apple iTunes, the user can transfer ZIM files from his/her PC or Mac to iPhone or iPad via a USB cable. Open iTunes and go to Apps, then drop the Zim file(s) you want on CAD Viewer documents.


For Android devices: On the Models Library, tap the Plus icon (available only in the Android version) then use the File Manager utility of the user's smartphone or tablet. The user can start to transfer ZIM files from his/her PC or Mac to the mobile device after connecting a USB cable.


» Using E-mail

After sending a ZIM file to an e-mail box, the user can open that e-mail and tap on the attached ZIM file. If SimLab CAD Viewer is installed on the tablet, the ZIM file will be launched.



» Downloadable Files from Web

The user can also find ZIM files uploaded on certain websites and servers. The only thing that the user should do is to tap a file in order to open it after the download process.



Removing an Existing Model


The user is able to remove unwanted models from the list of the library; simply by tapping the (X) mark which appears next to each model thumbnail.