3D viewers general.

CAD systems can create, modify, and view 3D models; 3D viewers can only view 3D models.
OEMs usually use a single CAD platform, while suppliers must be able to read and process many CAD formats.
Standard viewers can open both (a limited number of) native and standard 3D models.
Advanced 3D viewers can read most native and standard 3D formats and are well-suited to support cost calculation, work preparation, and the creation of work instructions.

Advanced features Kisters 3DViewStation

Transforming native and standard 3D models into a custom lightweight 3D format
Complex parts and assemblies can be viewed and manipulated at lightning speed.
A multitude of cross-sections can be created in a very user-friendly manner.
Measuring all kinds of dimensions, volumes, weights, etc.
Defining and saving all kinds of 2D and 3D views, and saving them as a PDF (as if they were “old-fashioned” 2D drawings).
The use of 3D mice is supported.
If 3D models are equipped with PMI, these annotations can be viewed in a very user-friendly way (with various settings).
If 3D models are imported in JT format, the PMI annotations can be “flipped” so that they are not displayed in mirror image on the screen (for other formats this feature is being developped).
Working with 3DViewStation is very similar to that of major CAD systems. The only thing 3DViewStation cannot do is modify 3D models (but in many cases, you wouldn't actually want to do that anyway).