How to Share and Markup Models in 3DEXPERIENCE: Tools, Limits, and Alternatives

Stefan S.

June 19, 2025

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5 min

If you’re using the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to manage your product design process, you’ve likely run into a common challenge: how to share 3D files with stakeholders and markup 3D models in the browser without bottlenecks.

In this guide, we’ll explain how to share and markup 3D models in 3DEXPERIENCE, explore tools like 3DPlay and 3D Markup, and highlight why some teams are moving to modern alternatives like Sibe.io for faster collaboration.

Why Sharing and Markup Matter in Engineering Workflows

In modern product development, it’s no longer enough to store your files securely. Teams need to:

Share files in 3DEXPERIENCE with other departments or clients
Review 3D designs in the browser, without installing heavy CAD tools
Markup designs to give precise visual feedback
Keep all communication tied to the 3D model, not scattered across emails or screenshots

These needs are especially common during design reviews, client presentations, and cross-functional collaboration.

How to Share Files in 3DEXPERIENCE

To share a 3D model in 3DEXPERIENCE:

Upload your CAD data into the 3DEXPERIENCE cloud.
Assign access through roles and permissions.
Use the 3DPlay viewer to give collaborators browser-based access to view and inspect the model.

However, 3DEXPERIENCE viewer access for clients is often restricted—external stakeholders need licenses or logins, and public share links are not natively supported.

Using the 3DEXPERIENCE Markup Tools

Once shared, the model can be opened in:

3DPlay – For interactive 3D viewing and basic navigation.
3D Markup – To add annotations, callouts, highlights, and comments directly on the model.

This allows for asynchronous reviews, helping teams move faster while keeping visual context intact.

But there are some constraints:

Markups are often tied to internal workflows
Commenting functionality is limited for external users
Navigating permissions and tools requires training

Limitations of Sharing and Markup in 3DEXPERIENCE

Despite its power, 3DEXPERIENCE presents a few common roadblocks:

No public share links – Unlike cloud-native tools, there’s no simple way to send a view-only link to a client or supplier.
Licensing complexity – Everyone who needs access must be registered and assigned roles.
Onboarding friction – Non-technical users may struggle with navigation and terminology.

If you’re running fast, working with external clients, or aiming for smoother design reviews, this can slow collaboration.

A Lightweight Alternative: Share and Markup with Sibe.io

For teams looking for simplicity and speed, Sibe.io offers an easier way to share 3D files online and markup designs in the browser—without complexity.

With Sibe, you can:

Drag and drop 3D files and instantly generate a shareable link
Comment and markup directly in the browser
Collaborate with anyone—no login or software required for reviewers

This makes Sibe ideal for:

Product design consultancies
Hardware startups
Agile engineering teams
Client-facing design work

You can read a full comparison between Sibe.io and 3DEXPERIENCE here.

Conclusion

If you’re already embedded in the Dassault Systèmes ecosystem, 3DEXPERIENCE provides robust tools for internal collaboration. But when you need to share 3D models for review, especially with clients or contractors, its complexity can get in the way.

For smoother, faster collaboration, modern teams are adopting tools like Sibe.io to streamline design markup workflows without sacrificing control or clarity.

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