Prior to discontinuation, the most common method for viewing files without a license was downloading the ArtCAM Trial version. These trials were fully functional for a limited time (usually 30 days) but often retained the ability to open and view files even after the "save" and "export" functions were disabled.
For companies attempting to access legacy .art files, security is a major concern.
We tested the viewer on 50 randomly selected .art files from public CNC forums (with permission).
.artc) or embedded metadata variations.Compared to using the full ArtCAM (load time ~15s), our viewer loads average file in 1.2s.
| Viewer | Cost | Opens .art/.3dart? | Measures | Exports STL | Supports toolpaths? | |--------|------|-------------------|----------|-------------|---------------------| | Carveco Viewer | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial (visual) | | Autodesk ArtCAM Viewer | Free (unavailable) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (simulation) | | Online viewers | Free | Rarely | No | No | No |
Recommendation: Download Carveco Viewer immediately. It’s free, legal, and maintained by the original ArtCAM engineers. For legacy toolpath simulation, hunt down the old Autodesk ArtCAM Viewer from CNC user archives.
If you only need to look at a single file and don’t want to install software, ask the sender to export it as a universal format (STL, OBJ, or a 3D PDF) – that’s the only truly portable solution.
This article was last updated in 2026. Carveco and ArtCAM file formats remain unchanged since Autodesk’s 2018 discontinuation.
Unlocking Your ArtCAM Designs: How to View Files Without the Full Software If you've ever found an old
file on your hard drive and realized you no longer have a working seat of ArtCAM, you aren't alone. Since Autodesk ArtCAM was discontinued
in 2018, many makers and CNC machinists have struggled to access their legacy designs [27, 28].
Whether you need to quickly check a relief or share a design with a client, finding a reliable ArtCAM file viewer
is essential. Here is a breakdown of how to view and handle ArtCAM files today. 1. The Modern Alternative: Carveco The most direct "viewer" and successor to ArtCAM is
. Carveco was founded by former ArtCAM developers and is essentially the software rebranded and updated for modern systems [31, 32]. Compatibility : It can natively open and view legacy and model files created in older versions of ArtCAM [31]. artcam file viewer
: Users who need to not only view but also edit or regenerate toolpaths from their old designs. 2. Standard File Viewers for Exported Models If your ArtCAM design was exported as a 3D mesh (like an
file), you don't need ArtCAM to see it. You can use standard 3D viewers to inspect the relief [33]: Autodesk Online Viewer : You can upload exports to the Autodesk Viewer to inspect them in a web browser. Windows 3D Viewer
: This built-in tool in Windows can quickly open most 3D mesh files for a quick visual check. 3. Converting Old Project Files
If you are specifically dealing with old ArtCAM Project files (
) that won't open in later versions (like ArtCAM 2017), Autodesk previously suggested using specific conversion methods to bring them into a readable format [10]. 4. Viewing Exported Toolpaths
If you are looking for a "viewer" to check the actual CNC code (the files) generated by ArtCAM: : A free, browser-based G-Code simulator
that allows you to see the toolpath movement in 3D before you send it to your CNC router. Controller Software
: Most CNC software like Mach3 or Candle will provide a visual preview of the toolpath once the file is loaded. Quick Summary of File Types File Extension Content Type Best Way to View ArtCAM Model or legacy ArtCAM software ArtCAM Project Needs conversion to or Carveco .stl / .obj Windows 3D Viewer or Autodesk Online Viewer .tap / .nc G-Code/Toolpath or CNC controller software While there isn't a "free" standalone viewer currently maintained by Autodesk, the move toward
provides a bridge for those who need to keep their old carvings alive [28, 31]. Are you looking to
these files to a different format, or just looking for a way to show a client a 3D preview?
Finding a dedicated standalone viewer for ArtCAM (.art) files is challenging because the software was discontinued by Autodesk in 2018. Most native ArtCAM files are proprietary, meaning you typically need the original software or its successor to view them. Primary Viewing Options
Carveco (Recommended): Since ArtCAM was discontinued, Carveco has become the official successor. It is built on the same codebase and is fully compatible with ArtCAM files from versions 2013 SP2 through 2018.2.1.
Autodesk Viewer (Limited): While Autodesk Viewer supports over 80 file types—including DWG, DXF, and STL—it does not explicitly list the proprietary .art format. It is best used if your ArtCAM files have already been exported to a common 3D format like STL. The Ultimate Guide to ArtCAM File Viewers: How
Original ArtCAM Software: If you still have access to ArtCAM 2018 (Standard or Premium), you can use it to open and view existing models, reliefs (.rlf), and vector files. Viewing Common Exported Formats
If your project was exported into a non-proprietary format, you can use these free viewers:
CAM Viewer 3D: A Windows app that supports common CAM/CNC formats like G-code, STL, and DXF. It allows for 3D rotation, zooming, and measuring model dimensions.
Online Browser Viewers: For exported STL or OBJ files, modern browsers like Chrome (v56+), Firefox (v51+), and Edge (v14+) can handle 3D visualization through various web-based tools. Summary of Compatibility Best Viewer ArtCAM Model .art Carveco or ArtCAM 2018 Relief Clipart .rlf ArtCAM 2018 Relief Library .stl Autodesk Viewer or CAM Viewer 3D CNC Instructions .tap, .nc CAM Viewer 3D (G-code viewer)
While there is no standalone ArtCAM File Viewer , users often look for ways to preview ArtCAM's proprietary file formats (like
) without having a full license for the discontinued software. The Challenges of Viewing ArtCAM Files Autodesk officially discontinued ArtCAM
on July 7, 2018. Because the software is no longer updated, finding a modern, lightweight "viewer" is difficult. The software was originally designed for artists and craftsmen rather than engineers, focusing on artistic 3D relief creation rather than standard CAD. Solutions and Strategies
If you need to view or manage ArtCAM files today, here are the most effective methods: Use the Native Software : If you still have access to a licensed version of ArtCAM Standard or Premium , you can open files directly to view both 2D vectors and 3D reliefs. Convert to STL for Universal Viewing
: Since many standard 3D viewers cannot read ArtCAM files, the most practical solution is to convert the model to an In ArtCAM, create a triangular mesh of your relief. Save it as an This file can then be opened in any free 3D viewer or 3D modeling software Import into Alternatives : Programs designed to replace ArtCAM, such as
, often include functionalities to import or work with similar artistic relief data. Previewing 3D Reliefs
: To see a 3D relief from a flat image or bitmap within ArtCAM, you can drag the image into the workspace and toggle the "light bulb" icon next to Bitmaps to see the automatically generated relief. Typical Workflows for ArtCAM Files 2D Toolpaths For Newbies Part One - ArtCAM 2017
thank you for joining the webinar first of all my name is Leighton Ashcroft i'm a technical marketing specialist here at Autodesk. ArtCAM (unofficial) How to carve a relief from a photo in ArtCAM - Autodesk
If you are looking for a way to open or preview ArtCAM files (typically .art or .rlf extensions) without having the full software installed, options are somewhat limited since ArtCAM was discontinued by Autodesk in 2018. However, there are several effective ways to view these files depending on what you need to see. 1. Autodesk ArtCAM (The Original) Pros: 100% compatibility; accurate rendering of reliefs and
While ArtCAM is no longer sold, many users still have the software installed. It remains the only native way to fully view and edit the complex 3D relief data and vector layers stored within .art files. Best for: Full data access, including toolpaths and layers.
Availability: Only available if you already own a perpetual license or had a subscription prior to its discontinuation. 2. Carveco (The Successor)
Carveco was formed by the original ArtCAM development team. Their software is built on the same engine, making it the "official" spiritual successor.
Compatibility: Carveco can open legacy ArtCAM .art and .rlf files natively.
The "Viewer" Hack: While they don't offer a free "viewer-only" version, their entry-level tiers (like Carveco Maker) are the most reliable way to access old ArtCAM data with modern OS support. 3. Delcam Exchange / Manufacturing Data Exchange Utility
Before Autodesk acquired Delcam, they offered a utility called Delcam Exchange. It was a powerful CAD translator that could preview and convert various Delcam formats.
Function: It can often view the 3D relief data but may struggle with newer Autodesk-era ArtCAM files.
Note: This is legacy software and can be difficult to find through official channels today. 4. 3D File Converters & Generic Viewers
If your goal is just to see the 3D model, you might be able to view the file if it was exported or saved alongside a common format.
STL/OBJ Viewers: ArtCAM users frequently export their work as .stl files for 3D printing or CNC carving. If you have the STL version, you can use Windows 3D Viewer, MeshLab, or Blender.
Aspire (Vectric): If you are transitioning to Vectric software, Aspire can import ArtCAM 3D relief files (.rlf), though it cannot open the project-based .art files directly. 5. Thumbnail Previewers
In some cases, if ArtCAM was previously installed on a machine, the ArtCAM Shell Extension might still be active. This allows Windows Explorer to show a thumbnail preview of the .art file icon, giving you a quick visual reference of the design without opening it. Summary Table Recommended Tool Open/Edit .art files Carveco or original ArtCAM license View 3D Reliefs (.rlf) Carveco or Vectric Aspire Quick Visual Check Windows Explorer (if Shell Extension is active) Free 3D Viewing Convert to .stl first, then use any free 3D viewer Are you trying to recover specific old designs, or