Free BIM viewers

July 2, 2025 at 10:39 am

There are hundreds, even thousands of different BIM tools available worldwide. Each is designed for specific tasks, and it's not uncommon for a single project to involve dozens of different solutions.

One important category of tools is free BIM viewers. These provide a simple and quick way to explore 3D models without the need for expensive licenses or complex training. They allow users to walk through the model, take measurements, create sections, and understand the project's spatial logic.

Free viewers can generally be divided into two categories:

Derived tools from commercial BIM software, such as Solibri Anywhere or Navisworks Freedom. These are usually intended for reviewing or continuing work started in the full software version.
Independent or stand-alone tools, which most often work with the IFC format. Examples include BIMvision, OpenIFC Viewer, and xeokit viewer. These are not tied to a specific ecosystem, making them flexible and neutral.

In contrast, paid tools often combine a much broader range of functionality — not just viewing, but also modeling, data processing, collaboration, and more.

However, free viewers are often the first step toward adopting BIM. Especially for clients and decision-makers who want to understand the project in 3D without needing in-depth technical knowledge.

It’s a simple but highly effective way to get a sense of what will be built. And this aspect — 3D visualization and understanding — is often where BIM starts to deliver real value.

If you'd like to learn how to use one of five different free BIM viewers, video tutorials in Latvian are available here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLokJB84ZSNMANdfK8vtfcsbGggU8uAMRN