Do you remember that idea about viewing SolidWorks files on an iPhone or iPad? You dreamt of it years ago. Then experienced the disappointment. Then, last week, SolidWorks taunted you about a new mobile app. This week, today, they’re releasing it. eDrawings for iPad. It’s priced at US $1.99 and available now on iTunes. Here’s more on the new app.

eDrawings for iPad

In 2009, we asked you if you would use it. You said yes. Two and a half years later, the wait is over. The app is currently available for the iPad running iOS 4.3 or later.

What you get:

  • File Gallery (uploaded or emailed file view)
  • 3D Model viewing (pan, rotate, zoom)
  • 2D drawing viewing (.slddrw, .dwg, .dxf, .easm, .eprt)
  • Drawing view animation
  • Assembly Tree
  • Part selection
  • Configurations
  • Explode views
  • Email eDrawings files

What you don’t get:

  • Hide/Show parts
  • Sectioning
  • Transparency
  • Markup
  • Measuring
  • Commenting
  • Printing
  • Wifi transfer

Besides the measuring, commenting, etc. (and lack of an iPhone and Android app) which I’m sure is planned, it’s what you’ve always wanted – a way to view (and share) SolidWorks files via a mobile device. The interface is fast and responsive, file sync can take some time and you may have some problems opening large assembly files (we did.) There are a slew of eDrawing FAQ’s on the SolidWorks forums.

This is an incredible tool for engineering and manufacturing environment. I’m honestly surprised it took this long for SolidWorks (or anyone else) to come out with a dead simple viewer/collaboration tool for SolidWorks files. I’m also surprised they’re charging for this. Not that $1.99 isn’t worth it or even that much. Just that the eDrawings PC viewing software is free. I’d understand the price, or even a higher price, if the functionality was all there. Either way, this is it. It’s finally here.

YouTube video

eDrawings for iPad

eDrawings for iPad

eDrawings for iPad

eDrawings for iPad

eDrawings for iPad

eDrawings for iPad

eDrawings for iPad

eDrawings for iPad

Author

Josh is founder and editor at SolidSmack.com, founder at Aimsift Inc., and co-founder of EvD Media. He is involved in engineering, design, visualization, the technology making it happen, and the content developed around it. He is a SolidWorks Certified Professional and excels at falling awkwardly.