Welcome to CadNexa
Sign in with Google
Go to cadnexa.com/app.html and click "Continue with Google." One click, no password to create. Your account is instantly ready.
Choose your tool
From the dashboard, click CadNexa 3D to open 3D CAD files (STEP, IGES, STL...) or Balloon Tool to balloon PDF engineering drawings and generate FAI reports.
Upload your file
Click Open and select your file. CadNexa supports 14+ 3D formats and any PDF drawing. Files are processed in your browser — nothing is uploaded to our servers.
What CadNexa offers
3D File Viewing
Open STEP, IGES, BREP, STL, OBJ, GLB, FBX, 3MF, DXF and more. Rotate, zoom, pan with mouse or touch.
BOM Generation
Auto-detect all parts, calculate volume, weight, and material cost from Indian market prices.
PDF Ballooning
Place numbered inspection balloons on engineering drawings. Smart dimension detection with GD&T support.
FAI Reports
Generate First Article Inspection reports in AS9102, PPAP, ISO, ASME, DIN, JIS, GB, IS standards.
Quotation Builder
Material + overhead + profit + GST = professional quotation in 2 minutes. Export as PDF.
Secure RFQ
Share 3D models with vendors for quoting without exposing your design. View-only, watermarked, no download.
Opening and viewing 3D files
Click "Open" button
Click the green Open button in the toolbar, or drag and drop a file directly onto the viewer area.
Navigate the model
Left click + drag to rotate. Scroll wheel to zoom. Right click + drag to pan. On mobile: swipe to rotate, pinch to zoom, two-finger drag to pan.
Select parts
Click Pick in the toolbar, then click any part in the model. The parts tree on the left highlights the selected part. Right-click for options: Focus, Isolate, Hide, Measure.
Use view presets
Click FRONT, BACK, TOP, BTM, LEFT, RIGHT, ISO buttons at the bottom to snap to standard engineering views.
Measuring dimensions
Click "Measure" in toolbar
The measurement panel opens on the right side. Choose measurement type: Point-to-Point, Edge Length, Face Area, or Angle.
Click on the model
For point-to-point: click the first point, then the second point. The distance appears instantly in mm. For edge length: click any edge. For face area: click any face.
Read the measurement
The measurement result shows on the model with dimension lines, and in the measurement panel with exact values. All measurements are in millimeters.
Generating BOM (Bill of Materials)
Click "BOM" in toolbar
After loading a STEP/IGES file, click the BOM button. CadNexa automatically detects all parts, calculates volume, weight, and assigns materials.
Assign materials
Each part shows a material dropdown. Select the correct material (SS304, EN8, Aluminium 6061, etc.). The weight and cost update instantly based on real Indian market prices.
Review totals
The BOM shows: part name, quantity, material, volume, weight per piece, total weight, and material cost. The footer shows grand totals for weight and cost.
Export BOM
Click Export to download the BOM as CSV (for Excel) or copy to clipboard. Use this for quotation preparation or purchase requisitions.
Checking part weight
Load your STEP file
Open a STEP or IGES file. CadNexa automatically calculates the volume of every part.
Open BOM
Click BOM. Assign the correct material to each part. The weight is calculated automatically: Volume × Material Density = Weight.
On mobile
On your phone, tap the Weight button in the bottom bar. A panel slides up showing total weight, material cost, and per-part weight breakdown.
Additional features
Exploded View
Click Explode to separate all parts along their axes. Adjust the explosion distance with the slider. Great for understanding assembly relationships.
Section Cut
Click Section to cut through the model along X, Y, or Z axis. Drag the cutting plane to reveal internal features.
Wireframe Mode
Click Wire to toggle wireframe display. See through the model to understand internal geometry.
Quotation Builder
Click Quote to open the quotation builder. Enter overhead %, profit %, and GST %. Generate a professional PDF quotation instantly.
Cost Estimator
Click Estimate to add manufacturing operations (CNC, turning, grinding). Calculate true manufacturing cost per part.
Export
Export your model as STL, OBJ, or capture screenshots. Export 2D drawings in SVG, PNG, PDF, or DXF format.
Placing balloons on engineering drawings
Open a PDF drawing
Click Open PDF and select your engineering drawing. CadNexa supports any PDF — A0 to A4, landscape or portrait, single or multi-page.
Choose balloon mode
Select your mode: Click (place balloon with one click), Leader (balloon with arrow pointing to dimension), Box+Bal (draw a box around a dimension and place balloon).
Click on a dimension
Click near the dimension you want to balloon. A numbered circle appears. The balloon number auto-increments. Type the dimension value in the text field on the right panel.
Customize balloon appearance
Adjust Size (slider), Color (13 colors with visual preview), and Line Width. Choose leader type: Arrow, Line, Ortho, or None.
Use Smart Detect
Click Smart Detect Dimensions to auto-find and parse all dimensions on the drawing including GD&T symbols. Review and correct as needed.
Generating FAI reports
Place all balloons
Complete your ballooning — place numbered balloons on every dimension that needs inspection. Enter the nominal value and tolerance for each balloon.
Click "Generate FAI Report"
Click the green Generate FAI Report button at the bottom of the panel. Choose your standard:
AS9102 Rev C
Aerospace standard. Required by Boeing, Airbus, and all aerospace primes.
PPAP
Automotive standard. Required by Toyota, Hyundai, Maruti, and all OEMs.
ISO / ASME
International standards for general manufacturing inspection.
DIN / JIS / GB / IS
German, Japanese, Chinese, and Indian national standards.
Review and edit the report
The FAI report opens with all balloon data pre-filled. You can edit actual measured values, mark pass/fail, add remarks. The report is fully editable.
Download or print
Click Print/PDF to save the completed FAI report. Share with your customer as proof of first article inspection.
Tips and shortcuts
Delete a balloon
Click the red X next to the balloon in the list. The next number auto-fills the gap — no renumbering needed.
Move a balloon
Switch to Move mode, then drag any balloon to reposition it on the drawing.
Add comments
Click the "Add comment..." field below any balloon to add inspection notes or special instructions.
Multi-page drawings
Use the page navigation at the top to move between pages. Balloons are saved per-page and the numbering continues across pages.
Zoom and pan
Scroll to zoom. Hold Pan mode or middle-click to move around the drawing. Double-click to fit the page.
Save your work
Click Save to Project to save your balloons and drawing. Projects sync to the cloud when logged in.
Sending secure RFQs to vendors
Create an RFQ
Go to RFQ Market tab → click Create RFQ. Upload your STEP file, specify quantity, material, process, and delivery deadline.
Generate secure link
Click Generate Secure Link. CadNexa creates a view-only, watermarked link. Vendors can see and measure the 3D model but cannot download your design file.
Share via WhatsApp or email
Click WhatsApp to send the link directly. Or copy the link and share via email. Vendors view the model on any device — desktop or mobile.
Compare quotes
As vendors submit quotes, they appear in your dashboard. Compare price, delivery, terms side-by-side. Award the best vendor with one click.
CadNexa Blog
Manufacturing insights, product updates, and engineering tips. View the full blog index →
GD&T True Position Formula with Worked Example
Master the GD&T true position formula with a clear, hand-verifiable worked example. Covers the position tolerance calculation formula, CMM report interpretation, bonus tolerance, and the most common mistakes quality engineers make on the shop floor.
How to Complete a Process FMEA for PPAP: A Step-by-Step Guide
A practical walkthrough for quality engineers on completing a Process FMEA for PPAP — covering every PFMEA step, RPN calculation, rating tables, and the pitfalls that cause customer rejections.
What Is a Level 3 PPAP Submission? Requirements, Documents & Common Mistakes
A plain-English breakdown of Level 3 PPAP submission requirements—every document explained, a direct comparison with Level 4, and the most common mistakes quality engineers make during submission.
First Article Inspection Software Comparison for Aerospace: What Quality Engineers Actually Need
A peer-to-peer comparison of the top FAI software tools for aerospace quality engineers — covering AS9102 Rev C compliance, browser access, ballooning features, and real pricing so you can pick the right tool without a sales call.
How to Read an AS9102 First Article Inspection Report: A Field-by-Field Walkthrough
A field-by-field walkthrough of every section in an AS9102 Rev C first article inspection report — Forms 1, 2 and 3, ballooned drawing requirements, and the mistakes that get FAI packages rejected.
AS9102 Form 1 Fields Explained: A Quality Engineer's Field Guide
Every field on AS9102 Form 1 decoded — from part number accountability and FAIR identifier to reason codes and signatures. Fill it right the first time.
Runout vs total runout: what each GD&T control actually catches
One arrow or two? Tolerance zones, FIM, dial indicator and CMM measurement, V-block traps, which control to specify — and why concentricity is gone from Y14.5-2018.
AS9102 Rev B vs Rev C: every change, form by form
Field-by-field Form 1 changes, the deleted Form 2/3 signatures, the single-signature rule, special process CofCs, DPD — and a five-step supplier transition checklist.
Incoming inspection checklist: what to check before material hits your line
A nine-point IQC checklist covering documents, identity, dimensional checks and material certs, with AQL sampling plans and the records ISO 9001 expects.
Profile of a surface, explained: GD&T's do-everything control
Bilateral vs unilateral tolerance zones, profile with and without datums, the all-around symbol, composite frames, and how to actually measure profile on a CMM.
Delta FAI: when a partial first article inspection is enough
The seven AS9102 Rev C triggers for a new FAI, how to scope a partial submission to affected characteristics only, and a worked coating-change example.
How to read engineering drawings
A practical, shop-floor order for reading any print — title block, projection, dimensions & tolerances, surface finish, and GD&T basics.
AS9102 Forms 1, 2 and 3 explained
What each first article inspection form captures — Part Number, Product and Characteristic Accountability — plus Rev C changes and common rejections.
GD&T bonus tolerance and MMC, explained
How bonus tolerance works under maximum material condition — worked hole-and-pin numbers, virtual condition, and how to inspect an MMC position callout.
The GD&T datum reference frame, explained
How primary, secondary and tertiary datums and the 3-2-1 rule lock all six degrees of freedom — and why datum order changes the measurement result.
Measure a STEP file online: distances, diameters and angles
Measure a STEP file online free in the browser — point-to-point distance, hole diameter, edge length and angle from exact 3D geometry, no CAD install.
Exploded view online: open a STEP assembly in your browser
Make an exploded view online from a STEP or IGES assembly — separate every part, read the assembly tree, measure and auto-generate a BOM, with no CAD software to install.
SolidWorks Inspection alternative: free browser balloon tool
Searching for a SolidWorks Inspection alternative? How CadNexa, a free browser-based auto-ballooning and FAI tool, compares on CAD licensing, cost and setup.
Free FAI report template: AS9102 Forms 1, 2 and 3
A free first article inspection template for AS9102 Forms 1, 2 and 3 — what each field needs, the Form 3 column set, and a faster way to balloon and generate it online.
What is ballooning a drawing? Meaning, purpose, and how to do it
Drawing ballooning explained in plain English — what it means, why FAI and PPAP need it, how to number every characteristic, and how to balloon a PDF fast.
STEP file viewer online: open and inspect a .step file in your browser
Open .step and .stp files free in your browser — rotate, measure, explode an assembly and auto-generate a BOM, with no CAD software to install.
STEP vs IGES: which CAD file format to use
STEP vs IGES explained for engineers — the real differences in geometry, assemblies and reliability, when each format wins, and how to open both .step and .igs files free in your browser.
ISO 9001 inspection documentation: the records that pass an audit
What inspection records ISO 9001 actually expects under clauses 8.6 and 7.5, the five records auditors ask for, and how to keep a ballooned drawing and results sheet traceable.
How to balloon a drawing in Excel (and a faster free way)
Balloon a drawing in Excel step by step with a free template and pass/fail formula, then see the faster online method that auto-numbers dimensions and exports the inspection sheet.
Free online IGES file viewer: open and inspect a .igs file in the browser
Open IGES and STEP files online with no CAD install. Rotate, zoom and measure 3D models, understand IGES vs STEP, and move from viewing to ballooning and inspection.
Net-Inspect alternative: a free, browser-based balloon & FAI tool
An honest comparison for engineers seeking a Net-Inspect alternative — enterprise pricing, supplier-portal lock-in, auto-ballooning with Smart Detect, and AS9102/PPAP export from the browser.
High QA alternative: a free, browser-based balloon & FAI tool
An honest comparison for engineers seeking a High QA alternative — pricing, desktop install, auto-ballooning with Smart Detect, and AS9102/PPAP export from the browser.
First article inspection checklist: the complete FAI guide
A complete first article inspection checklist for AS9102 and PPAP — ballooning, the characteristic list, inspection methods, material traceability, and the five line items auditors reject.
ISO 13485 inspection documentation: what an auditor wants to see
Build ISO 13485 inspection records that pass audit — device history records, traceability to drawing revision, and turning a PDF drawing into a controlled inspection sheet.
RFQ to vendor workflow: from drawing pack to awarded job
Run a clean RFQ to vendor workflow — package the drawing, share a secure expiring link, collect comparable quotes, and award on landed cost with a full audit trail.
Drawing revision comparison: catch every change before it costs you
Compare two drawing revisions the reliable way — find every changed dimension, tolerance, GD&T callout and note, then balloon and CSV-diff Rev B against Rev C in minutes.
STEP file BOM export: get a bill of materials online
Open a STEP or IGES assembly in the browser, let the 3D viewer roll up quantities and weights, and export a clean CSV bill of materials for costing and RFQs.
CMM inspection planning: from drawing to measurement program
Build a CMM inspection plan the right way: balloon the drawing, decode the datum reference frame, choose point counts, sequence touches, and cut programming time before the part hits the table.
The GD&T feature control frame, explained box by box
Read any GD&T callout with confidence: the geometric symbol, the tolerance zone, material condition modifiers like MMC, and datum reference order — with a worked bracket example.
How to balloon a PDF drawing online — free, in your browser
Open a PDF, auto-detect every dimension with Smart Detect or Box+Balloon OCR, capture tolerances and methods, and export a CSV inspection sheet — no install.
How to convert a drawing into an inspection sheet
Turn any PDF drawing into a numbered, traceable inspection sheet — balloon every characteristic, capture nominals and methods, and export to CSV or PDF.
InspectionXpert alternative: a free, browser-based balloon tool
Cost, install, and onboarding compared honestly — and where a browser-based auto-ballooning tool fits versus desktop QA suites.
PPAP levels 1 to 5 explained: what each submission needs
Submission levels, the 18 elements, Level 3 vs Level 5, and how to build dimensional results fast from a ballooned drawing.
AI auto-ballooning: how CadNexa detects 100+ dimensions in under a minute
The three-layer OCR + grouping + refinement pipeline explained. Includes embedded demo video and real timing numbers from a 2-page intake manifold.
GD&T for shop floor engineers: the 14 symbols you actually use
Practical guide to ASME Y14.5 and ISO 1101 geometric tolerancing — every symbol with real machined-part examples, datum rules, and common mistakes.
Best balloon drawing software in 2026: free and paid tools compared
An honest side-by-side of InspectionXpert, High QA, Discus and CadNexa — features, price, auto-ballooning, and how to choose by shop size.
AS9102 vs PPAP: which First Article Inspection standard does your customer need?
Aerospace vs automotive vs general manufacturing. Side-by-side breakdown, the 3 AS9102 forms, the 18 PPAP elements, and when each applies.
FAI reports in 10 minutes: How CadNexa Balloon Tool saves QA engineers hours
A step-by-step breakdown of how our balloon tool reduces AS9102 report generation from 4-6 hours to under 10 minutes.
The complete manufacturing engineer's toolkit: 3D viewer, exploded view, ballooning & FAI reports
Everything CadNexa offers in one guide — STEP viewer with BOM, exploded view, PDF ballooning, AS9102/PPAP FAI reports. Free alternative to InspectionXpert and QA-CAD.
Why browser-based CAD is the future of Indian manufacturing
No installation, no license fees, works on any device. How cloud-based CAD tools are transforming small and medium manufacturers in India.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions.