In this short video we will be investigating the new model viewer tool released with Civil 3D 2026. The release of this tool marks a sea change in the way in which we navigate our Civil 3D models and should be adopted as soon as possible. You will save a lot of time if you do so

I’m very grateful to Autodesk for adding the model viewer to Civil 3D in 2026. Because I teach Civil 3D courses, easily navigating some 3D objects and displaying that on my screen is something that I have struggled with over the past few years.

To open the model viewer interface, add an item to the model viewer so that you can inspect it. First, select something like a corridor, then right mouse click to the shortcuts and “Add to Model Viewer”. To the best of my knowledge, this is the only way in which you can open the model viewer currently. I did have a look at the command reference in the customizable user interface and found no reference to the model viewer command. Hence, I could not add it to the quick access toolbar. The model viewer tool must also not be confused with the object viewer tool, which I think is a far inferior tool to the model viewer. If you are a small 3D user and you are not yet using the model viewer in 2026, please do so as soon as possible since it will save you a lot of time and effort and make navigating your model and breeze.

If you need help adopting the AEC Collection or the Autodesk Construction Cloud in your practice or if you are looking to invest in hardware, please contact Micrographics so that we may be of assistance.