STP Viewer DocumentationMobile Guide - Using STP Viewer on Mobile Devices
Complete guide for using STP Viewer on smartphones and tablets with touch gestures and mobile-optimized features
Mobile Guide
Overview
STP Viewer is fully optimized for mobile devices, providing a professional 3D model viewing experience on smartphones and tablets. This guide covers all mobile-specific features and best practices.
Touch Gestures
Intuitive touch controls for 3D navigation
Mobile Toolbar
Optimized interface for smaller screens
Fullscreen Mode
Immersive viewing experience
Performance Tips
Get the best performance on your device
System Requirements
Minimum Requirements
- iOS: iOS 15.0+ with Safari 15+
- Android: Android 10.0+ with Chrome 100+
- Memory: 6GB RAM (8GB+ for large models)
- Network: Stable internet connection (10+ Mbps recommended)
Supported Browsers
| Browser | Minimum Version | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Safari (iOS) | 15.0+ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent |
| Chrome (Android) | 100+ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent |
| Firefox (Android) | 100+ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good |
WebGL Support Required: Your device must support WebGL 2.0 for 3D rendering. Most modern mobile devices support this.
Getting Started
Upload Your STP File
Tap the "Upload File" button and select your .stp or .step file. Mobile devices support files up to 50MB, but we recommend keeping files under 10MB for optimal performance.
Wait for Processing
Your model will be processed and loaded. Initial loading may take 10-30 seconds depending on file size and device performance.
Start Exploring
Use touch gestures to interact with your 3D model. The interface automatically adapts to your device orientation.
Touch Gestures
Basic Navigation
🔄 Rotate Model
- Single Finger Drag: Touch and drag with one finger to rotate the model around its center
- Natural Movement: Dragging up/down rotates vertically, left/right rotates horizontally
- Smooth Response: Release momentum continues rotation naturally
🔍 Zoom In/Out
- Pinch Gesture: Use two fingers to pinch in (zoom out) or spread apart (zoom in)
- Double Tap: Quick double-tap to zoom to fit the entire model
- Zoom Limits: Automatic limits prevent over-zooming or zooming too far out
📱 Pan/Move View
- Two Finger Drag: Use two fingers to drag and move the view around
- Boundary Limits: Automatic centering prevents losing the model
Gesture Tips: Practice these gestures with a simple model first. Complex models may respond slower to touch inputs.
Mobile Interface
Responsive Layout
The interface automatically adapts to your device:
- Portrait Mode: Vertical toolbar with compact controls
- Landscape Mode: Horizontal toolbar for better screen usage
- Tablet Mode: Enhanced interface with more visible controls
- Orientation Change: Seamless transition when rotating device
Touch-Optimized Controls
All buttons and controls are sized for easy touch interaction:
- Minimum 44px Touch Targets: Following mobile accessibility guidelines
- Spaced Controls: Adequate spacing to prevent accidental taps
- Visual Feedback: Clear feedback when controls are touched
- Gesture Recognition: Smart gesture detection prevents conflicts
Fullscreen Mode
Entering Fullscreen
- Tap the fullscreen icon (⛶) in the toolbar
- The model viewer expands to fill your entire screen
- Navigation and controls remain accessible via overlay
Fullscreen Features
Mobile Toolbar
- Compact Design: Essential controls in a slide-up panel
- Auto-Hide: Toolbar automatically hides during interaction
- Quick Access: Tap anywhere to show/hide controls
Enhanced Navigation
- Larger Touch Areas: More space for precise gestures
- Better Performance: Reduced UI elements improve rendering speed
- Immersive Experience: Focus entirely on your 3D model
Exiting Fullscreen
- Tap the exit fullscreen button (✗)
- Use device back button (Android)
- Swipe down from top edge (iOS)
View Control Panel
Accessing the Panel
Tap the view control button (🎛️) to open the mobile-optimized view panel.
Preset Views
Quick access to standard engineering views:
| View | Icon | Description | Keyboard Shortcut |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front | → | Front elevation view | 1 |
| Back | ← | Rear elevation view | 2 |
| Left | ↑ | Left side view | 3 |
| Right | ↓ | Right side view | 4 |
| Top | ⊙ | Plan view from above | 5 |
| Bottom | ⊕ | View from below | 6 |
View Operations
- Fit to Window: Automatically scales model to fit screen
- Reset View: Returns to default perspective and position
Up Vector Control
Control the "up" direction of your model:
- Y-Up: Set Y-axis as up direction (common in many CAD systems)
- Z-Up: Set Z-axis as up direction (engineering standard)
- Flip: Reverse the current up direction
Display Modes
Projection Mode
- Perspective: Natural 3D view with depth perception (default)
- Orthographic: Technical drawing style without perspective distortion
Navigation Mode
- Free: Unrestricted camera movement in all directions
- Fixed: Constrained movement similar to CAD software
Visual Options
- Show Edges: Display wireframe edges for better detail visibility
- Show Grid: Reference grid for scale and orientation
Mobile Tip: Use orthographic projection for technical measurements, perspective for natural viewing.
Measurement Tools
Accessing Measurements
- Enter fullscreen mode
- Tap the measure tool button (📏)
- Select your measurement type
Distance Measurement
Start Measurement
Tap the distance tool, then tap on the first point of your measurement.
Set End Point
Tap on the second point to complete the distance measurement.
View Results
The measured distance appears with a visual line connecting the points.
Angle Measurement
Select Three Points
Choose three points that define the angle you want to measure.
Confirm Selection
The angle value appears with visual indicators showing the measured angle.
Measurement Tips for Mobile
- Zoom In: Get closer to the area you want to measure for precision
- Use Two Fingers: Hold with one finger, tap measurement points with another
- Take Screenshots: Capture measurements for later reference
- Clear Measurements: Use the clear button to remove all measurements
Performance Optimization
File Size Recommendations
| File Size | Performance | Recommended For |
|---|---|---|
| < 5MB | Excellent | Complex models, older devices |
| 5-20MB | Good | Modern devices, simple viewing |
| 20-50MB | Limited | Powerful devices, careful use |
| > 50MB | Not supported | Use desktop version |
Device Performance Tips
Before Loading
- Close Background Apps: Free up device memory
- Use WiFi: Ensure stable connection for uploads
- Charge Device: 3D rendering is power-intensive
During Use
- Stay Focused: Keep STP Viewer as the active application
- Moderate Zoom: Avoid excessive zooming on complex models
For Better Performance
- Simplify Models: Remove unnecessary features before exporting
- Use Landscape: Better performance and screen usage
- Close Background Apps: Free up device memory
Memory Warning: If the app becomes slow or unresponsive, try refreshing the page and loading a smaller file.
Troubleshooting
Common Issues
Model Won't Load
- Check File Size: Ensure file is under 50MB
- Verify Format: Only .stp and .step files are supported
- Network Connection: Confirm stable internet connection
- Browser Memory: Close other tabs and restart browser
Slow Performance
- Device Memory: Close background apps to free RAM
- File Complexity: Try a simpler model to test performance
- Browser Updates: Ensure you have the latest browser version
- WebGL Support: Verify WebGL is enabled in browser settings
Touch Gestures Not Working
- Clean Screen: Remove fingerprints and debris
- Check Case: Ensure it doesn't interfere with touch
- Restart Browser: Close and reopen the application
Display Issues
- Check Rotation Lock: Ensure screen can rotate
- Try Fullscreen Toggle: Exit and re-enter if needed
- Adjust Zoom: Reset browser zoom to 100%
Getting Help
If you encounter persistent issues:
- Check Device Compatibility: Verify your device meets minimum requirements
- Update Browser: Install the latest browser version
- Clear Data: Clear browser cache and cookies
- Contact Support: Email [email protected] with device details
Best Practices
File Preparation
- Simplify Models: Optimize in CAD software before export
- Balance Quality: Consider detail vs file size
- Keep Backups: Preserve original CAD files
Mobile Usage Tips
- Use WiFi: Avoid cellular data for file uploads
- Stable Setup: Use a stand for extended viewing
- Take Breaks: Prevent eye strain during long sessions
Professional Tips
- Screenshot Important Views: Capture key angles for documentation
- Use Preset Views: Leverage standard views for technical evaluation
- Measure Carefully: Double-check important measurements
- Share Wisely: Use sharing features for collaboration
Pro Tip: Create a workflow that starts with preset views, then uses measurements, and finishes with screenshots for complete documentation.
Advanced Features
Sharing and Collaboration
- Screenshot Sharing: Capture and share specific views
- URL Sharing: Share the viewer link with team members
- Measurement Documentation: Save measurement results as images
CAD Integration
- Quick Preview: Use in your CAD workflow for rapid review
- Quality Check: Verify models before client delivery
- Field Review: On-site model inspection
Ready to start using STP Viewer on your mobile device? Upload your first file and experience professional 3D model viewing anywhere!