The problem: CAD files are invisible in Confluence
If your engineering team uses Confluence for documentation, you've probably run into this: someone attaches a DWG drawing or a SolidWorks assembly to a Confluence page, and the rest of the team sees a filename. No preview. No thumbnail.
Confluence doesn't natively support CAD file formats. It can't render DWG drawings, STEP files, SolidWorks assemblies, Revit models, or any of the dozens of formats that engineering teams use every day.
This creates a gap. Engineering documentation lives in Confluence, but the actual designs are locked behind expensive CAD software licenses that most of the team doesn't have.
What about converting to PDF or screenshots?
The common workaround is to export CAD files as PDFs or screenshots. This introduces real problems:
You lose interactivity. A static PDF doesn't let you rotate, zoom, or cross-section the part.
You lose revisions. When the design updates, someone has to re-export and re-upload. Pages drift out of sync.
You lose metadata. Part properties, dimensions, materials, bill of materials - a screenshot captures none of this.
You double the work. Every update requires a manual export-and-upload step across dozens of pages.
The solution: embed interactive CAD models directly in Confluence
CAD 2D and 3D Model Viewer for Confluence lets you embed interactive CAD models directly into Confluence pages. Attach a CAD file, insert the viewer macro, and it becomes a fully interactive viewer.
Interactive 3D viewing: Rotate, zoom, pan, and cross-section 3D models right in the browser.
2D drawing viewing: Open DWG and DXF drawings with full fidelity.
Model catalogue: Organize CAD files into searchable collections.
Revision tracking: Track revisions automatically as designs evolve.
70+ formats supported including AutoCAD DWG/DXF, SolidWorks, CATIA, Inventor, Creo, Siemens NX, Revit, Fusion 360, STEP, IGES, STL, OBJ, FBX, IFC, and more.
How to set it up
Step 1: Install from the Atlassian Marketplace.
Step 2: Attach your CAD file to any Confluence page.
Step 3: Insert the Model Viewer macro - type /model or /cad in the editor.
Step 4: Select your file. The interactive viewer appears inline.
For detailed instructions, check the documentation.
Use cases
Design reviews: Embed the current model on a review page. Stakeholders explore it before the meeting.
Manufacturing documentation: Work instruction pages with embedded 3D models. Technicians can rotate parts and cross-section to see internal features.
Engineering knowledge bases: A searchable library of product models. New team members browse designs without scheduling time with a senior engineer.
Construction and AEC: Embed Revit and IFC models. Field teams and clients explore building models without Revit licenses.
Supplier collaboration: Attach supplier CAD files to a shared space. Procurement, quality, and project teams review without forwarding files.
Beyond Confluence: the complete CAD viewing toolkit
Extend CAD viewing to Jira with Model Viewer for Jira, and to email with CAD Model Viewer for Outlook. Together, CAD files are viewable everywhere your team works.
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