Set your Viewer Preferences for Viewing 3D models

You can use the Viewer Preferences tool to speed up model navigation and see more or less of a model.

To view 3D files:

  1. Go to a project/shell tab, and switch to User mode.
  2. Select a 3D file from your local system or

    In the left Navigator, select any of the following nodes:

    • Select Document Manager, and then select Documents.
    • Select Document Manager, and then select Unpublished Documents.
    • Select Tasks, and open a business process:
      1. Select the Attachments tab, and then select a 3D file attachment.
      2. Right-click a 3D file, and then select Open.
  3. In the 3D Files tab, select a 3D file to open it.
  4. (Optional) Perform any of the following actions:
    • To maximize and view the file, select Fullscreen.
    • To show or hide the files in the current folder, select File Type ( ).
    • To view the revision history, select History.
    • To close the 3D file, select Close (X).
  5. To view or modify your preferences, select Viewer Preferences () in the toolbar.
    • To increase the capacity of your system resources allocation for viewing models, select System Resources as Low, Medium, High, or Maximum.
    • To show front and back faces, select the Show back faces toggle. Hides by default.

      By default, the back faces of surfaces are not shown so you can navigate more smoothly around a model without drawing surfaces that are not normally visible.

      Some exporters are inconsistent with how their front and back faces are shown, some parts of a model may be incomplete or missing.

      Note: Enabling Show back faces may reduce your ability to quickly navigate around a model in the viewer.

    • Select your unit of measure for measuring length and distance from the Linear list. Choices include: Kilometers, Meters, Millimeters and Feet, Inches.
    • Select your unit of measure for area calculations from the Area list. Choices include: Square Meters and Square Feet, Square Inches.
  6. After making changes as needed, select any of the following buttons:
    • To confirm the updated preferences, select Apply.
    • To revert to the previous set of saved preferences, select Reset.
    • To discard all updates made above and exit preferences, select Cancel.

Related Topics

View 3D File Attachments in Unifier Viewer (Cloud Only)

Measure Areas and Distances Using the Measure Tool

Section a Model using the Sectioning Tool

View Model in Perspective or Orthogonal Modes

View Model in the Walkthrough Mode

Use Camera Views

Enable or Disable Object Visibility

Reset Model to its Original State

Use Object Properties to Find Objects with Object Search

Find Objects Using Explorer Panel

Composite Objects

View Object Properties



Last Published Monday, October 13, 2025