3DVWR

Support

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Something does not open or looks wrong? Most problems have one of the causes below. If yours does not, write to support@biermann.dev.

Models

A model has no textures, or does not load at all

Formats such as glTF, OBJ, FBX, COLLADA and 3D Studio often keep textures, materials or geometry in separate files next to the model. macOS only lets the app read the file you opened, not the folder around it.

Click Grant Folder Access… in the toolbar or below the error message, and confirm the folder that contains the model. 3DVWR reloads the file and remembers the folder for next time.

Textures from the internet are missing

If a model refers to textures by web address, 3DVWR does not load them. The app never connects to the internet. Download the textures and place them next to the model.

A CAD file takes a long time to open

STEP, IGES and BREP files describe exact surfaces. 3DVWR has to convert them to triangles first, which can take a while for large assemblies.

A texture file does not open

3DVWR shows two-dimensional textures. Cubemaps, texture arrays and 3D textures are not supported. Some compressed formats also depend on what the graphics hardware of your Mac can display.

Quick Look

Pressing Space in Finder shows no 3D preview

Open 3DVWR once after installing it, so that macOS registers its Quick Look extensions. Then check that they are switched on: System Settings → General → Login Items & Extensions → Quick Look. On macOS 14 you find them under Privacy & Security → Extensions → Quick Look.

For a few formats macOS has its own preview or thumbnail, for example for STL files, and may use that one.

The preview shows an error, but the file opens in the app

Quick Look can only read the one file you selected. A model that needs separate files, such as a .gltf with an external .bin, cannot load in the preview. Files larger than about 300 MB are not previewed either. Open these files in 3DVWR.

Finder shows no thumbnail

Finder thumbnails are available for glTF, OBJ, PLY, STL and COLLADA files. 3MF and G-code files get a thumbnail if your slicer saved a preview image in the file.

Requirements

3DVWR runs on macOS 14 or later.

Contact

Write to support@biermann.dev. I can help fastest if you include: