The Autodesk technology that was once known as the “Large Model Viewer” (because it handles 3D models larger than Autodesk Design Review) is the same viewing technology that is now called the Autodesk Forge Viewer. The viewer consumes a Simple Vector Format (SVF) file and converts it to WebGL (Web Graphics Library) for the browser to display, This offers the advantage that the browser user does not have to download and install any additional plug-ins. Throughout the years, we’ve heard from customers that downloading and installing Autodesk Design Review can be a challenge as some users do not have administrative rights on their machines. In addition, Autodesk Design Review is Microsoft Windows-only. The Autodesk Forge Viewer supports browsers that can consume WebGL independent of operating system. So let’s talk a little about WebGL.
“WebGL is a JavaScript Application Program Interface (API) for rendering 3D graphics within any compatible web browser without the use of…