Starting our list is a true powerhouse in the DXF viewer category, Autodesk Viewer. Of course, it stands to reason that the company responsible for the file format would have a robust viewer to go with it!

Autodesk is a pioneer in CAD programs, and their powerful viewer does not disappoint. Aside from just being able to open DXF files, Autodesk Viewer can handle most 2D or 3D formats including DWG, STEP, DWF, RVT, and SolidWorks.

In addition to being able to view your DXF files, this viewer comes with a full set of annotation and drawing tools including zoom, measure, and markup. It would be a useful tool for giving and receiving feedback without the need for downloaded software!

This viewer also offers a great help section covering everything from getting started to how to share your designs. You’ll need to create an Autodesk account to be able to upload files, but for the ability to share your designs on almost any device or operating system, we think it’s well worth the time.

• Cost: Free (sign-in required)
• Complexity: Medium
• Where to get it: Autodesk

ShareCAD is a popular, simple, straightforward online viewer that offers some added functionality beyond opening your files. We feel it’s a good middle-ground program for those who are looking for more than a simple viewer. Aside from the standard view and pan tools, users can also work with layers and change the background color for better visibility.

One thing we really like about this viewer is that it gives the user a shareable link that’s good for 24 hours. This lets you send it to other people to view your drawing. Additionally, users can create a free account and store drawings online to access later.

Note that the maximum file size is 50 MB, so it should cover most of your DXF file needs.

• Cost: Free
• Complexity: Basic
• Where to get it: ShareCAD

eMachineShop is a supplier of custom parts for businesses, engineers, and inventors around the world. They also have their own free CAD software and an online viewer. The viewer requires no sign-up, nor are you required to use their software or services.

The first thing we noticed when using this viewer was its 360° rotate functionality.  Some viewers only allow you to see a single view such as the top view, but this viewer lets you look at the part in totality.

After you upload and open your file, you can change the background and part colors separately for better definition. The viewer also gives you an option to request a manufacturing quote based on different materials, which could be useful for some users.

If you chose to share your file, you can select from link, QR code, or embed options. Finally, you can decide to share to a public gallery if you desire.

• Cost: Free
• Complexity: Basic
• Where to get it: eMachineShop

3D Viewer Online is just what it sounds like, a 3D viewer online! However, it also supports a variety of 2D formats.

This is a simple but powerful viewer. There’s a free but limited version, or you can access a 14 day trial of the full program by registering with an email address. It will allow you to view your DXF files and access some basic 3D settings such as lights and model units.

Like other viewers mentioned in our list, the maximum file size is 50 MB, and you can store up to 5 GB of files in the free version.

This viewer will allow you to zoom in and out and 2D rotate (left or right) in the free version, with more advanced 3D viewing options in the paid plans. Overall, it’s a decent viewer, and worth trialing the paid plan to see if the improved features are worth it!

• Cost: Free (paid plans with extended functionality available)
• Complexity: Basic (free version)
• Where to get it: 3D Viewer Online

GrabCAD is a free cloud-based sharing community that allows people to manage, view, and share files. They offer a free online viewer called GrabCAD Workbench.

GrabCAD Workbench allows you to not only view your DXF files, but you can allow others to access your projects as well. It keeps track of file properties such as version and modification dates. When you upload a new file, you also have an option to notify anyone you want to collaborate on the drawing with.

One of the interesting features is that you can not only 3D rotate but you can also create sections on all three planes (X, Y, and Z) to look inside your part. For added functionality, you can also measure tools for features like distance, angle, and diameter.

You do have to create an account, but with this, you’ll also gain access to other features in the GrabCAD community.

• Cost: Free (sign-up required)
• Complexity: Medium
• Where to get it: GrabCAD

CtrlView is a simple online DXF viewer that leaves all the bells and whistles at home to allow you to quickly view a DXF file. You’re also given an option to convert to a list of other file types, which might come in handy!

After selecting your file to upload, you can leave the presets alone or select to modify visual settings. The settings you can adjust are features such as color (true, greyscale, or black and white), rotate (180° or 90° clockwise/counterclockwise), view mode (shadow, outline, mesh, and others), and view type (top, right, front, iso, and other orthographic views).

After you’ve loaded your drawing, you can also inspect file information such as colors, attributes, bytes, and various other file information.

• Cost: Free
• Complexity: Basic
• Where to get it: CtrlView

ProfiCAD is a free downloadable design program that also offers a simple online DXF viewer.

This one is a bare-bones application. After you upload your file, you can scroll to zoom in or out, or magnify an area by hovering over it. The only other notable feature is that it allows you to download your file as a PDF.

Although it doesn’t have a bunch of added features or functionality, if all you need to do is quickly view a DXF file, it could be exactly what you need! It would be especially good for someone unfamiliar with CAD programs.

• Cost: Free
• Complexity: Basic
• Where to get it: ProfiCAD

Closing out our list is CAD, DXF, DWG Viewer for Drive. This is a Chrome app that allows you to view DXF and other files directly from Google Drive or uploaded from your computer.

Note that some users do not like the fact that after installation it directs you to a new website, (cadviewer.softgateon.net) to open your file from there. Chrome store lists 80,000 users, so some people must not mind.  We here at All3DP tried and were successfully able to open our files.

This is about as simple as it gets: the only added functionality to this viewer is the ability to zoom in and out. But if your files are stored in Google Drive already, it doesn’t get more convenient than this!

Aside from DXF, it supports a few other drawing formats such as DWG, DWT, and DWF. However, the maximum file size for upload is 10 MB.

• Cost: Free
• Complexity: Basic
• Where to get it: Chrome Web Store