How to Share CAD Drawings for Client Approval Without CAD Software

You share CAD drawings for client approval without CAD software by uploading the DWG, DXF or Revit file to one private review link and letting the client open it in a browser, check layers, leave comments and click Approve. No licence, no install and no client account are needed, and the approval is recorded on a timestamped certificate tied to that exact version.

That last part is where most drawing reviews fall apart. A drafter exports a PDF, emails it to 3 or 4 people, and gets back a marked up screenshot from one person, a phone call from another, and silence from the person whose sign off actually matters. The drawing moves on, the PDF does not, and months later no one can prove which version the client saw.

What is the best client review and approval tool for creative agencies and drawing teams?

Look for a tool that does 2 jobs in one place, viewing the native file and recording the decision. In File Approved, you upload a file, share one private review link, and reviewers open it with no account required. The Engineering and Architecture add on brings an in browser DWG and DXF viewer, Revit .rvt viewing, layer management, a submittal review workflow and drawing stamps, so a client sees the drawing itself, not a flattened export.

That matters because layers carry the information a flat PDF loses. A reviewer can turn layers on and off to isolate structure, services or dimensions, check what changed, and comment on the area in question instead of guessing from a low resolution image. Note that Revit family files, the .rfa format, are not supported, so share the .rvt model or the DWG sheet for review.

How do you run a submittal review without scattered email threads?

Use a simple 4 step flow and keep it the same on every job. First, upload the current drawing set to a single review link, with the sheet list or related PDFs in the same multi file approval when you are on Pro. Second, name the version clearly and add a short note saying what changed since the last issue. Third, give reviewers a deadline and name 1 approver, even when 4 people are invited to comment. Fourth, close the round with Approve or Request Revisions, not with a vague reply in an inbox.

• Upload: add the DWG, DXF or .rvt file plus any supporting PDF sheets to one link.
• Check: ask reviewers to confirm layers, title information and the 2 or 3 details the issue is actually about.
• Comment: keep every note on the drawing itself, with attachments where a photo or spec helps.
• Decide: the named approver clicks Approve, which generates the certificate for that version.

This replaces at least 3 failure modes at once. There is no wrong attachment, because new versions upload to the same review link and prior rounds stay intact in version history. There is no lost feedback, because comments live on the file instead of across inboxes. And there is no disputed sign off, because the certificate records the reviewer, the time, the file and the version.

How do I keep a written record of a client approving a file?

You keep it by making approval a click inside the review, not a sentence in an email. When a reviewer clicks Approve in File Approved, the system produces a timestamped Certificate of Approval. File that certificate with the issued drawing set and your project record, and you can answer a dispute in minutes by showing who approved what, and when.

Keep the habit strict on revisions too. If a client requests changes after approval, upload the revised drawing as a new version on the same link and run a fresh approval for that version. Never treat an earlier certificate as covering a later file. The version history is what makes the record trustworthy, because each certificate points to 1 specific version.

How much does File Approved cost?

The Free plan is $0 forever, with 1 active review link, 10 GB of storage, all native viewers, timecoded comments and annotations, one click approval with certificate, and password protection, with no credit card required. Pro is $25 per month, with unlimited review links, 5 TB of storage, multi file approvals with gallery view, password and account protection, client downloads, and no File Approved branding. Extra storage is $10 per month per 1 TB block. The Engineering and Architecture add on is $29 per month on top of Pro.

For a studio that reviews 1 drawing package at a time, the Free plan proves the workflow. For teams issuing drawings every week, Pro plus the $29 add on, $54 per month in total, is usually the practical setup, because unlimited links and 5 TB remove the need to ration reviews or delete history to save space.

Try it on your next issue. Upload the drawing set to File Approved, send 1 link instead of 4 attachments, and close the job with a certificate you can file and find again.

Frequently asked questions

Can a client open a DWG file without AutoCAD or an account?

Yes, with the Engineering and Architecture add on the drawing opens in the browser from the review link. The client needs no CAD licence, no install and no File Approved account to view, comment or approve.

What happens when I upload a revised drawing?

The new version goes onto the same review link and becomes the current version for review. Earlier versions stay in version history, so reviewers and your team can still see what was approved before.

Are Revit family files supported for review?

No. Revit .rvt viewing is supported, but Revit family files in .rfa format are not. Share the .rvt file or an exported DWG sheet when a family needs client review.