3DimViewer is a lightweight 3D viewer for CT, CBCT and MRI data in DICOM format from 3Dim Laboratory in Brno, Czech Republic, and it is aimed at clinicians, students and researchers who want multiplanar views, volume rendering and simple segmentation without paying for a 3D suite. For dentistry, its most practical feature is turning a CBCT scan into a bone surface model and exporting it as STL. If you came here for a 3DimViewer download, please read the status note first.
3DimViewer is no longer actively developed. The last official installers, version 3.1.1 for Windows and macOS, were released on 13 January 2017. The source code, published under the Apache 2.0 licence, was last updated in 2020. The program still has a place for teaching and simple model export, but for anything long-term you should plan on a maintained tool.
3DimViewer at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Latest version | 3.1.1 (13 January 2017) |
| Licence | Free: source code open under Apache 2.0; the vendor describes the ready-made installers as free of charge for non-commercial use |
| Platforms | Windows 64-bit (vendor lists Vista/7/8), macOS; Linux by building from source. Version 2.2 is also available for 32-bit Windows. |
| Developer | 3Dim Laboratory s.r.o., Brno, Czech Republic |
| Official website | 3dim-laboratory.cz |
| Best for | Viewing CBCT volumes in 3D, threshold segmentation of bone and STL export for printing or teaching |
What it does
- Imports DICOM series, including DICOM data packed in ZIP files, with a preview and series selection when loading.
- Axial, coronal and sagittal slice views, plus an arbitrary-angle slice in the later source code.
- Density windowing and density and distance measurements.
- GPU volume rendering with shaders on NVIDIA and AMD graphics cards, with a cutting plane.
- Tissue segmentation by thresholding, with manual and automatic segmentation tools improved in versions 3.0 and 3.1.
- Creation of surface models from segmented regions and export to STL; PLY is supported too.
- Data anonymisation and saving volumetric data back to DICOM.
- Support for multi-frame DICOM files from Planmeca dental CT scanners, added in version 1.4.
How dental teams use it
Export a jaw model from CBCT for 3D printing
- Load the CBCT DICOM folder and choose the series in the loading dialog.
- Open the quick tissue segmentation panel and set a density threshold that captures bone and teeth while leaving out soft tissue.
- Create the surface model from the segmented region and check it in the 3D view.
- Export the model as STL. Clean it up (remove scatter from metal restorations, close holes) in a mesh tool such as Meshmixer before printing.
Review a CBCT volume in three planes
- Load the scan and use the axial, coronal and sagittal views to move through the region of interest.
- Adjust the density window and take distance measurements where needed for case discussion.
- Turn on volume rendering to show the patient or students the 3D anatomy.
3DimViewer has no implant library, nerve canal tracing or orthodontic tools. Use it for viewing and model export, not treatment planning.
Install and first run
- Windows: 3.1.1 is a 64-bit installer. The vendor lists Windows Vista, 7 and 8; newer Windows versions are not listed. For 32-bit Windows, only version 2.2 exists.
- macOS: the 3.1.1 package dates from 2017, before Apple Silicon and several macOS changes. It has not been updated for current macOS, so it may not run on a recent Mac.
- Linux: no ready-made package; the project provides source code (Qt, OpenSceneGraph) for building yourself.
- Graphics: volume rendering uses GPU shaders; a dedicated NVIDIA or AMD card works best.
- Gotcha: for large CBCT scans, use the volume-of-interest selection or sampling options when loading to reduce memory use.
Limitations
- Dormant: no new official installer since January 2017; the source code repository was last updated in 2020. Version 4.1 appears in the source changelog (2019) but has no official build.
- Only older Windows and macOS versions are listed as supported.
- Threshold segmentation struggles with CBCT noise and metal artefacts, so STL models need cleaning.
- No dental planning features and no regulatory clearance; for research, teaching and model preparation only.
3DimViewer vs alternatives
MITK is a maintained open-source platform with segmentation and surface export, while SlicerCMF targets cranio-maxillofacial work on top of 3D Slicer but is itself no longer updated. For plain viewing of CBCT on Windows, MicroDicom is up to date and free for non-commercial use; on a Mac, OsiriX Lite offers MPR and 3D rendering in demo form.
FAQ
Is 3DimViewer free?
Yes. The source code is open under Apache 2.0, and the vendor offers the installers free of charge for non-commercial use.
Where can I get a 3DimViewer download?
Version 3.1.1 (2017) is the latest official release, for 64-bit Windows and macOS. The developer’s website, 3dim-laboratory.cz, lists the versions and sample data.
Is there 3DimViewer for Mac?
Yes, 3.1.1 was released as a macOS package in 2017. It predates Apple Silicon and has not been updated, so compatibility with current macOS is not guaranteed.
Does 3DimViewer run on Linux?
Only if you build it from source. The developer has not published ready-made Linux packages for the 3.x versions.
Can 3DimViewer open dental CBCT DICOM files?
Yes. It imports standard DICOM series and added support for Planmeca multi-frame dental CT files in version 1.4.
Can I export STL from 3DimViewer?
Yes. Segment the tissue by thresholding, create a surface model and export it to STL. Expect to clean the mesh before 3D printing.
Is 3DimViewer still maintained?
No. The last official release was in January 2017. For new projects, consider MITK for segmentation or MicroDicom for everyday viewing.
Last checked against official sources: 28 September 2026 (developer website: 3dim-laboratory.cz). Versions and licence terms change — confirm on the developer's site before deploying in a clinic.
