E57 Files for SolidWorks Engineers: What They Are and How to Handle Them
If you're a mechanical engineer working in SolidWorks and someone just sent you an E57 file, you're not alone. E57 is the vendor-neutral standard for laser scan data — point clouds plus images and scanner metadata in one file.
Scanning contractors and survey teams deliver E57 files, so they reach SolidWorks engineers on as-built, retrofit, and reverse-engineering projects.
This guide explains what E57 files are, why SolidWorks engineers encounter them, and the most practical ways to handle them without switching software or disrupting your design workflow.
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How to Open E57 Files Online with Sibe
Drop your E57 file into your Sibe workspace and open it in the browser, no plugin, no download, no SolidWorks licence required to view. Pan, zoom, and rotate the point cloud on any device.
Sibe is a Cloud CAD Document Management platform with a native SolidWorks add-in. It also opens E57 point cloud files in the browser, so SolidWorks teams doing reverse engineering or as-built work can view scans and manage the SolidWorks files that follow — all in one place.
- Native SolidWorks add-in — check files in and out directly in SolidWorks
- Full assembly reference handling for parts, sub-assemblies, and drawings
- Automatic version and revision history for every check-in
- Free public share links and QR codes — reviewers and clients open files in any browser, no Sibe account needed
- View E57 point cloud files in the same workspace as your SolidWorks files
Where Sibe fits in a SolidWorks reverse engineering project:
- Scan vendor sends you an E57 — upload it to your Sibe workspace
- Share the E57 view with your team via a free public link or QR code
- Model new SolidWorks geometry around the scan (export to STL/OBJ if you need to reference geometry inside SolidWorks)
- Check the resulting SolidWorks parts, assemblies, and drawings in and out via the Sibe add-in
- Every version is tracked, every reference stays linked, every client review lives in one place
Sibe is built for SolidWorks teams. If you don't use SolidWorks, the platform's other features won't apply to your workflow — there are better options below for standalone point cloud work.
Other Tools for Working with E57 Files
If you need to edit point cloud data — clean noise, segment regions, mesh the scan, or convert to a solid — you'll want a dedicated point cloud editor. Here are the three most common.
Method 1: CloudCompare (Free, Open Source)
CloudCompare is the most widely used free tool for point cloud editing. SolidWorks engineers use it to clean scans before exporting to STL or OBJ for use as a reference in SolidWorks.
How to use it:
- Download and install CloudCompare from the official website
- Open the software and select File > Open to load your E57 file
- Use navigation tools to explore the 3D point cloud data
- Clean, crop, or segment the data and export to a format SolidWorks accepts
Method 2: Autodesk ReCap
Autodesk ReCap is built for point cloud processing and integrates with the Autodesk ecosystem. Useful if your team runs Inventor or AutoCAD alongside SolidWorks for retrofit projects.
How to use it:
- Install Autodesk ReCap from the Autodesk website (free trial available)
- Open ReCap and load your E57 by clicking New Project > Import Files
- Use ReCap's visualisation tools, or convert the data into a format that works with other CAD platforms
Method 3: Leica Cyclone Viewer
Leica Cyclone Viewer handles large scan projects — common in survey, industrial retrofit, and plant work.
How to use it:
- Download Leica Cyclone Viewer from the official website
- Launch the software and load the E57 file via File > Import
- Use the navigation and annotation tools to review the model
E57 Compared to Other 3D File Formats
For SolidWorks Teams Doing Reverse Engineering or As-Built Work
Scan-to-CAD projects produce a lot of SolidWorks files fast. Multiple iterations, dozens of references, often with input from a remote team or a client reviewing the scan and the resulting model together.
Sibe gives SolidWorks teams:
- One workspace for the E57 scan and the SolidWorks files modelled from it
- Native SolidWorks check-in and check-out, with full assembly reference handling
- Automatic version history for every part, sub-assembly, and drawing
- Free public share links so clients see the scan and the model without a SolidWorks licence or a Sibe account
- 20-minute setup, no servers, no VPN
If you prefer to see Sibe in action, you can book a demo here.
E57 and SolidWorks FAQs
Can Sibe open E57 files in the browser?
Yes. Upload the E57 to your Sibe workspace and view it on any device, no plugin, no download, no SolidWorks licence required to view.
Is Sibe an E57 viewer or a CAD Document Management platform?
Sibe is a Cloud CAD Document Management platform built for SolidWorks teams. It also opens E57 files in the browser, which is useful for SolidWorks engineers doing reverse engineering, scan-to-CAD, or as-built work. If you're not using SolidWorks, the rest of the platform won't apply to your workflow.
Can SolidWorks open E57 files directly?
No. SolidWorks doesn't read E57 natively. Open the E57 in Sibe to view it, or use CloudCompare or ReCap to clean and export it to STL or OBJ for use as a SolidWorks reference.
How do I use a point cloud in SolidWorks?
Convert the cleaned point cloud to a mesh (STL or OBJ), then import it as a reference body in SolidWorks. Use ScanTo3D or third-party tools to convert mesh to solid geometry where needed.
How do I share a scan and the resulting SolidWorks model with a client?
Share both from Sibe with a free public link or QR code. The client opens the E57 view and the SolidWorks model in the same browser — no SolidWorks, no Sibe account, no download.
How large are E57 files?
Scan resolution drives the size. Detailed scans can run several gigabytes — too large for email or shared-drive syncing, which is why most teams move them into a Cloud CAD Document Management platform.
Are E57 files editable inside Sibe?
No. Sibe shows you the E57 in the browser. For editing — cleaning noise, segmenting, meshing — use CloudCompare or ReCap, then bring the cleaned file back into Sibe.
Is Sibe a fit for AutoCAD or Inventor teams?
No. Sibe is built specifically for SolidWorks teams. The native add-in, version control, and reference handling all target SolidWorks workflows.
How long does Sibe take to set up for a SolidWorks team?
Under 20 minutes. Install the add-in, connect your folder, invite your team.