Remote CAD: Secure Solutions for Collaborative Design in Teleworking

The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of remote work across all sectors, including the manufacturing industry where sharing sensitive CAD data poses unique challenges. In an environment where teams are geographically dispersed, traditional methods of exchanging CAD files via email or FTP quickly reveal their limitations in terms of security, performance, and collaboration.

For design offices and technical departments, the remote visualization and manipulation of complex CAD models have become daily necessities, raising a crucial question: how to ensure smooth and secure access to sensitive 3D data while preserving the company's intellectual property?

Table des matières

• Current Challenges of CAD Sharing in a Distributed Environment
• Modern Requirements for CAD Visualization and Collaboration
• 3DViewStation WebViewer: The Complete Technical Solution
• VisShare: Advanced Sharing and Control Platform
• Advanced Intellectual Property Protection
• Concrete Benefits for Different Stakeholders
• Practical Use Cases in Distributed Environments

Current Challenges of CAD Sharing in a Distributed Environment

The transition to remote work has exacerbated the pre-existing issues in CAD data management and sharing. Engineering departments now face technical and organizational obstacles that slow down design processes and limit the effectiveness of remote teams.

Limitations of Conventional Approaches

Traditional sharing methods such as email and FTP, although still widely used, present critical shortcomings in a distributed work context:

• Email attachments are limited in size and pose serious risks in terms of security and version control
• FTP transfers lack traceability and offer no guarantee regarding data usage after download
• Generic cloud solutions are not optimized for handling complex and voluminous CAD files
• Deploying complete CAD licenses for each remote worker represents a prohibitive cost

These constraints lead to a multiplication of obsolete local versions, excessive download times for large assemblies, and fragmentation of technical information across different systems and users.

Critical Issues for Manufacturing Companies

Beyond technical aspects, industrial organizations face four major challenges:

In this context, it becomes evident that traditional approaches are no longer suitable for the needs of modern industrial enterprises, particularly in remote work situations.

Modern Requirements for CAD Visualization and Collaboration

As work methods evolve, expectations regarding CAD visualization and collaboration solutions have significantly increased. An effective solution today must address multiple, often contradictory requirements.

Universal Accessibility

The first requirement of a modern solution concerns its ability to function independently of the user's computing environment:

• Compatibility with different operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux)
• Operation on mobile devices (tablets, smartphones) for consultations on the move
• Independence from client workstation power
• No complex software prerequisites or specific plugins

This accessibility must be guaranteed without sacrificing the advanced functionality needed for professional exploitation of CAD models.

Enhanced Security

In a context where CAD data often represents the core of a company's intellectual property, security becomes a determining criterion:

• Protection against unauthorized copying of 3D models
• Granular control of access rights by user and by project
• Temporal limitation of access authorizations
• Complete traceability of consultations and manipulations
• Advanced know-how protection techniques (alienation, simplification)

These security measures must be implemented transparently for the user, without burdening work processes.

Optimized Performance

The fluidity of use directly conditions the adoption of a solution by technical teams:

• Rapid loading of voluminous assemblies (several gigabytes)
• Immediate responsiveness during manipulations (rotation, zoom, selection)
• Smooth display even for complex models (several million components)
• Optimization of data flows to minimize bandwidth consumption

Insufficient performance invariably leads to a return to traditional methods, canceling the expected benefits of the solution.

Collaborative Features

Beyond simple visualization, a modern solution must facilitate collaborative work around models:

• Measurement and analysis tools directly in the visualization interface
• Ability to create and share annotations and comments
• Comparison functions and change detection
• Generation of specific views and shared configurations
• Integration with existing communication tools

These multiple and sometimes contradictory requirements explain why so many companies struggle to identify a solution truly adapted to their specific needs for CAD collaboration in remote work.

3DViewStation WebViewer: The Complete Technical Solution

Facing the identified challenges, 3DViewStation WebViewer distinguishes itself as a solution perfectly adapted to the needs of CAD visualization and collaboration in a distributed environment. Its design specifically addresses the requirements of technical teams working remotely.

Innovative Architecture

3DViewStation WebViewer is based on a modern client-server architecture that revolutionizes access to CAD data:

• 100% HTML5 technology accessible from any standard web browser
• 3D model rendering performed server-side for optimal security
• Video streaming of 3D renders without any geometry transfer to the client workstation
• Zero installation needed on user workstations
• Compatibility with all operating systems and devices (PC, Mac, tablets, smartphones)

This "zero footprint" approach ensures that original CAD data remains secure on company servers, while offering a fluid and performant user experience, regardless of the hardware used.

Performance Without Compromise

Contrary to preconceptions about web applications, 3DViewStation WebViewer offers exceptional performance even for the most complex models:

• Ultra-fast loading of voluminous assemblies (files of several gigabytes)
• Smooth handling of models containing up to 20,000 parts
• Instant response time for 3D manipulations (rotation, zoom, selection)
• Optimization of server resources to serve a large number of simultaneous users

These remarkable performances are made possible by advanced optimization algorithms and a server architecture specifically designed for processing CAD data.

Advanced Analysis Features

Much more than a simple viewer, 3DViewStation WebViewer integrates over 180 professional analysis features usually reserved for native CAD software:

This functional richness allows users to perform most analysis tasks without needing access to the native CAD software, significantly reducing the need for expensive licenses.

Extended Compatibility

One of the major assets of 3DViewStation WebViewer lies in its ability to natively process numerous CAD formats without prior conversion:

• Direct support for main proprietary formats: CATIA, NX, Creo, SolidWorks, Inventor, etc.
• Support for neutral formats: STEP, IGES, JT, 3D PDF, 3MF, etc.
• Compatibility with visualization formats: OBJ, STL, VRML, etc.
• Support for PMI (Product Manufacturing Information) and associated metadata

This multi-format compatibility eliminates conversion and interoperability problems, allowing smooth collaboration between teams using different CAD systems. For advanced data quality validation, CADIQ provides comprehensive model checking capabilities that complement the visualization workflow.

VisShare: Advanced Sharing and Control Platform

Complementary to 3DViewStation WebViewer, VisShare constitutes the management and sharing platform that radically simplifies secure distribution of CAD data in a distributed environment.

Intelligent Access Management

VisShare revolutionizes how companies share their sensitive CAD data:

• Creation of temporary links with automatic expiration date
• Precise attribution of rights by user, group, or project
• Parameterization of access levels (viewing only, measurement, annotation, export)
• Immediate revocation of rights when needed
• User authentication via existing systems (LDAP, SSO)

This granular control allows sharing exactly what is necessary, with the concerned individuals, for the required duration, thus minimizing the risk of data leakage.

Simplified Administration

The platform management has been designed to minimize the workload of IT teams:

• Intuitive administrator interface accessible via web browser
• Access and usage monitoring dashboards
• Rapid deployment on existing infrastructure (on-site or private cloud)
• Centralized updates without intervention on client workstations
• Usage reports for resource optimization

This administration simplicity contrasts with the usual complexity of enterprise solutions, allowing rapid implementation and reduced total cost of ownership (TCO).

Integration with Existing Ecosystem

VisShare integrates harmoniously into the company's IT environment:

• Documented APIs for connection with existing PLM/PDM/ERP systems
• Possible integration with enterprise portals and intranets
• Support for approval and validation workflows
• Connection with document management systems
• Compatibility with numerous PLM systems on the market (Teamcenter, 3DEXPERIENCE, Windchill, etc.)

This integration capability transforms VisShare into a true collaboration hub around CAD data, centralizing exchanges while respecting the existing organization. For comprehensive data exchange automation, DEXcenter provides additional workflow capabilities to streamline processes across the enterprise.

Advanced Intellectual Property Protection

In a context of expanded sharing, protecting technical know-how incorporated in CAD models becomes a major concern. The combination of 3DViewStation WebViewer and VisShare offers advanced mechanisms to secure this intellectual capital.

Geometry Alienation Techniques

For situations where models must be shared with third parties without revealing exact dimensions:

• Imperceptible and random modification of the model's actual dimensions
• Preservation of visual appearance and general proportions
• Impossibility of precise reverse engineering even in case of screen capture
• Selective application on certain sensitive areas of the model

This technique, unique in the market, allows sharing visually identical models whose actual dimensions are subtly altered, making accurate unauthorized reproduction impossible. For complex model preparation, CADfix offers additional repair and simplification capabilities that enhance security while maintaining model integrity.

Precise Control of Shared Data

The platform offers fine control over what is actually visible to each user:

• Automatic removal of internal components not visible from the outside
• Filtering of sensitive metadata (materials, tolerances, etc.)
• Selective deactivation of advanced analysis features
• Prevention of sections on certain areas of the model
• Configurable simplification of complex geometries

These mechanisms allow sharing only the information necessary for collaboration, without exposing confidential aspects of the design.

Securing the Visualization Flow

The very architecture of the system has been designed with security as a priority:

• Secure video streaming without transfer of geometric data to the client
• Encryption of communications between server and clients
• Technical impossibility of extracting the original 3D data
• Complete logging of accesses and actions performed
• Alerts in case of suspicious access attempts or abnormal usage

This approach ensures that even in case of client workstation compromise, the original CAD data remains protected on company servers. For feature-based intelligence preservation, Proficiency provides advanced semantic translation capabilities that maintain design intent across CAD platforms.

Concrete Benefits for Different Stakeholders

The adoption of an integrated 3DViewStation WebViewer and VisShare solution generates tangible benefits for all company stakeholders, going well beyond simply facilitating remote work.

For Design Offices

Engineering teams notice significant improvements in their daily processes:

• 70% reduction in time devoted to preparing and sharing models
• Elimination of format conversions that cause errors and data loss
• Instant access to updated models, wherever the engineer is
• Simplification of design reviews with non-technical stakeholders
• Automatic protection of know-how in external exchanges

This streamlining of exchanges allows engineers to focus on their core business rather than on administrative tasks with low added value.

For IT Teams

IT departments benefit from a solution that lightens their workload rather than increasing it:

• 90% reduction in support tickets related to CAD visualization problems
• Elimination of software deployments on client workstations
• Centralization of administration and updates
• Optimization of network bandwidth usage
• Strengthening of overall information system security

The solution thus contributes to evolving the IT role from a cost center to a true partner in digital transformation.

For Management

At the strategic level, the impact is measured in terms of operational efficiency and competitive advantage:

These quantifiable benefits translate into rapid return on investment, generally less than 12 months.

For Users

The transformed user experience constitutes a key adoption factor:

• Intuitive interface requiring no specific training
• Smooth performance even on modest devices
• Accessibility from any location with an internet connection
• Advanced features formerly reserved for CAD experts
• Elimination of frustrations related to format incompatibilities

This democratization of CAD data access broadens the circle of contributors to technical projects, enriching perspectives and accelerating innovation.

Practical Use Cases in Distributed Environments

The flexibility of the solution allows it to respond to varied collaboration scenarios, particularly relevant in a distributed work context.

Internal Collaboration in Remote Work

The solution transforms how internal teams collaborate remotely:

• Online design review sessions with shared model manipulation
• Remote technical support for production or maintenance teams
• Access to 3D models from mobile devices for field teams
• Instant consultation of latest versions by non-technical decision-makers

These scenarios eliminate geographical barriers between different company sites and departments, creating a truly unified work environment.

Collaboration with External Partners

Exchanges with the company's external ecosystem benefit from an unprecedented level of security and fluidity:

• Secure sharing of models with subcontractors without risk of leakage
• Interactive commercial presentations of complex products at client sites
• Early involvement of suppliers in design phases
• Technical reviews with external consultants without software installation
• Remote training of distributors and commercial partners

This controlled opening to the outside allows fully exploiting the advantages of the extended enterprise while maintaining strict control over intellectual property.

Hybrid Scenarios and Emergency Situations

The flexibility of the solution proves particularly valuable in mixed work environments or during exceptional circumstances:

• Instant switching between in-person and remote work according to constraints
• Emergency access to technical data in case of on-site incident
• Guaranteed business continuity even in case of restricted access to premises
• Remote technical support for clients using complex products

This operational resilience constitutes a major strategic asset in a world where unpredictability is becoming the norm rather than the exception.

Conclusion

Sharing and consulting CAD data in remote work represents a multidimensional challenge for industrial companies, mixing technical, organizational, and security issues. The combination of 3DViewStation WebViewer and VisShare offers a complete response, allowing the reconciliation of accessibility, performance, and intellectual property protection.

This innovative approach transforms a constraint - the geographical dispersion of teams - into a strategic opportunity by streamlining exchanges, reducing costs, and accelerating development cycles. It also prepares the company for future evolutions of distributed work, now unavoidable in the global industrial landscape.

In this new paradigm, the ability to effectively share and secure CAD data becomes a major competitive advantage, allowing the most agile organizations to stand out in a constantly changing economic environment.