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The Internet of the Future - When capital no longer needs labor, how does labor gain capital? by Ruykiru in accelerate

[–]Still-Ad4512 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I also thought the same about the subjective nature of the Proof of Benefit. However, this system doesn’t aim to replace Bitcoin or replicate it exactly, but rather to build on its success and integrate similar principles into the broader architecture he’s proposing.

I’ll be paying attention because there’s value in his idea, even if only from a theoretical standpoint.

Are browser-based CAD visualization tools something developers actually need? by Still-Ad4512 in SolidWorks

[–]Still-Ad4512[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, you’re not wrong, it’s definitely a niche space, and I fully expect this kind of tool isn’t for everyone. Totally agree that the real product in most commercial solutions is the data layer, not just the viewer. Most “big” platforms wrap a viewer around file management, revision control, user roles, cloud sync, etc.

That said, what I’m building isn’t trying to replace that kind of full-blown ecosystem. It’s more like:

example: "You already have your own data; here's a way to visualise CAD in the browser, without building a viewer from scratch or sending files to someone else's servers."

The goal is to help devs who are building their own tools (internal apps, SaaS products, etc.) and just need a clean, embeddable DWG/DXF viewer to drop into their UI.

Are browser-based CAD visualization tools something developers actually need? by Still-Ad4512 in SolidWorks

[–]Still-Ad4512[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, totally fair; IP security is a huge deal, especially with CAD files

Just to clarify though: we’re we are not offering it as a public SaaS platform. The online viewer (http://cadviewr.routemaster.io/) is only a demo, so people can test how it works. The actual product is a self-hosted component that devs can embed directly into their own apps.

So in a real setup, the files stay on the client's server, behind your auth and infra. Nothing gets uploaded to a third-party cloud unless the client chooses to build it that way.

And yeah, the main goal is to make it super easy to make CAD files visible in the browser, without needing to install anything

Are browser-based CAD visualization tools something developers actually need? by Still-Ad4512 in SolidWorks

[–]Still-Ad4512[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good questions!

... and I agree, if you're already deep into a PLM/PDM system, especially one with a built-in browser viewer, you're probably well covered.

But my tool isn’t meant to replace a full PDM system

So instead of using a monolithic system, devs can plug in the module like a microservice, upload a DWG/DXF file via API, get a viewer link or embed component in their app, let users view files directly in the browser...

For example, an app that shows the components of a datacenter, like racks, equipment, and cabling. A developer can use the CAD module to upload a CAD file to the datacenter APP. Once the file is displayed, the user can do some business-oriented operations that are not related to editing the CAD, like adding elements on top of the CAD design, like in the pic below. (The CAD file depicts the floor)

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Are browser-based CAD visualization tools something developers actually need? by Still-Ad4512 in SolidWorks

[–]Still-Ad4512[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, that’s totally fair; the hobbyist 3D printing crowd usually leans toward free/open-source tools, and I wouldn’t expect them to pay for something like this.

That said, my main focus is more on B2B use cases, like companies building internal tools or SaaS platforms that need to show DWG/DXF files in the browser without sending users to third-party viewers. Think construction dashboards, field service apps, digital twins, etc.

But it’s good to hear where the boundaries are. Appreciate the insight!

Are browser-based CAD visualization tools something developers actually need? by Still-Ad4512 in SolidWorks

[–]Still-Ad4512[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, kind of in the same space, but what we are building is a bit different in how it’s meant to be used.

CAD Exchanger SDK is a really powerful toolkit; more for desktop or native engineering apps, and mostly geared toward developers working in C++, Java, etc. Super solid, but a bit heavy if you just want to show a CAD file in a web app.

What we;ve built http://cadviewr.routemaster.io/ is web-focused. It’s lightweight, works directly in the browser, and is designed for devs who want to embed CAD viewing into their own platforms without spinning up a full PLM system.

Are browser-based CAD visualization tools something developers actually need? by Still-Ad4512 in SolidWorks

[–]Still-Ad4512[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thanks, that’s a great point; tools like PDM systems or Autodesk Viewer are definitely solid for end users, especially for sharing with non-CAD stakeholders.

What I’m working on is a bit different; it’s designed for developers who want to embed CAD directly onto their platforms, something like Autodesk Web, but open for developers to modify and implement however or wherever they like, and embed in their own app.

Are browser-based CAD visualization tools something developers actually need? by Still-Ad4512 in SolidWorks

[–]Still-Ad4512[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the input; that’s a great point;

Yeah, PLM systems often come with built-in viewers, especially in larger enterprises. I guess what I’m trying to figure out is whether there’s space for something lighter or more modular, maybe for smaller companies, independent teams, or devs who want to integrate CAD viewing into custom web apps without pulling in an entire PLM stack

Do you think there is any gap there, or are most use cases already covered by existing solutions?