3D CAD Viewer
for Enterprise AR & VR

FAQ
Learn more about the VR and AR 3D viewer

• What file formats can I import into the 3D CAD viewer?

  You can import 3D models created in tools such as Siemens NX, CATIA, SolidWorks, BIM, Solid Edge, AutoCAD, Inventor, and PTC Creo, as well as exchange formats including .jt, .fbx, .step, .usd, and .glTF. The viewer can also display files such as .mp4, .pdf, .jpg, and .png.

• How do I import 3D CAD content into Hololight Space?

  You can save files on a Windows PC or cloud storage, drag and drop them from Windows File Explorer, load them through the viewer’s file explorer, or use the NVIDIA Omniverse integration. The best method depends on your infrastructure and workflow.

• Do I need to reduce polygons or prepare my CAD models?

  No additional polygon reduction or model simplification is required for the viewer’s core workflow. With Hololight Stream, the application runs on more powerful external infrastructure and only the rendered visual output is pixel-streamed to the device, allowing teams to work with high-detail models at full complexity.

• Can I view NVIDIA Omniverse files in AR or VR?

  Yes. Hololight’s 3D viewer provides access to USD files within NVIDIA Omniverse in local or cloud environments. An NVIDIA Omniverse account is required.

• Can I save annotations, measurements, and edits?

  Yes. You can save 3D CAD models with annotations, measurements, and edits in a workspace, then load the work later for continued review or preparation for a meeting.

• Why is the 3D CAD viewer streamed?

  Industrial CAD models can be too large and complex for standalone AR and VR devices to process locally. Pixel streaming shifts application execution and rendering to more powerful infrastructure while the device displays the rendered output. This eliminates the need for lower-detail versions or time-consuming model preparation.

• Which XR streaming technology does Hololight use?

  The 3D viewer uses Hololight’s proprietary XR streaming technology, a pixel-streaming solution for industrial and enterprise AR and VR applications. Applications can be streamed over Wi-Fi, 5G, or LiFi networks, depending on the deployment.

• Which infrastructure can I use to stream the viewer?

  Customers can choose the infrastructure that fits their environment, including gaming laptops, on-premises servers, public cloud, private cloud, 5G campus infrastructure, or government cloud solutions.

• Which devices are supported?

  The 3D viewer supports the HTC VIVE family, Meta Quest family, Snap Spectacles, Apple Vision Pro, PICO 4 Ultra Enterprise, and Microsoft HoloLens 2 in maintenance mode. Users can also join sessions through the Spectator companion application on Apple iPad Pro. Device capabilities can vary, so confirm the current support matrix for your use case.

• What is the difference between using the viewer in AR and VR?

  The viewer runs on both AR and VR devices. AR is useful when teams need to place or compare virtual objects in the physical environment. VR is useful when the surrounding environment does not need to remain visible or when teams want a fully immersive model-review experience. The right device depends on the workflow.

• How can CAD visualization software improve engineering workflows?

  A 3D CAD viewer can help teams review designs at full scale, identify errors earlier, compare variants, inspect internal structures, collaborate across locations, and reduce reliance on physical prototypes. Hololight’s success-story materials cite 25% faster design evaluations, 50% lower physical prototyping costs, 25% less travel, and 90% fewer design errors. Hololight experts can help identify potential applications across the product lifecycle.

• How can I visualize my digital twin in augmented reality?

  Digital twins can contain more detail and data than a standalone headset can process efficiently. Hololight Space uses pixel streaming to visualize complex digital twins in AR and VR at full scale and complexity, helping teams work with representations of factories, engines, machines, turbines, and cooling systems.

• How much experience does Hololight have in enterprise XR?

  Hololight has more than a decade of experience in enterprise XR. Our experts can help identify potential applications for Hololight Space across the product lifecycle, including design evaluation, collaboration, physical prototype reduction, and decision-making.

• How can I evaluate Hololight Space?

  Request a demo or trial to discuss your CAD formats, models, devices, infrastructure, and review workflow with the Hololight team.