After applying the latest SAP PLM 2021 patch (SP08), our Fiori 3D viewer is failing to load certain CAD files. The viewer works fine for STEP files, but consistently fails on native SolidWorks (SLDPRT) and Creo (PRT) formats.
Browser console shows:
Error: Failed to load geometry data
ViewerCore.js:2847 Format converter timeout
HTTP 504: Gateway timeout on /sap/bc/ui5_ui5/sap/cv_att_viewer
CAD format compatibility was working perfectly before the patch. When I check the Fiori viewer logs in transaction SLG1, I see conversion service errors but no specific details about what’s failing. The files themselves open fine in the native CAD applications and in our legacy desktop viewer.
This is blocking our design review process as engineers can’t visualize assemblies in the web interface. Has anyone else experienced 3D viewer issues after applying SP08, and are there specific file conversion best practices we should follow?
I’ve resolved this exact issue on two SAP PLM 2021 SP08 systems. The problem involves all three focus areas:
CAD Format Compatibility:
SP08 changed the native CAD converter library from version 2023.1 to 2023.3, which has different format requirements. Specifically, SolidWorks files now require the full assembly tree to be present in DMS, not just the top-level file. If you have SLDPRT files without their SLDASM parent, conversion fails silently.
If the converter shows “Not supported” for your format, you need to install SAP Note 3285473 which adds backward compatibility.
Fiori Viewer Logs:
The generic SLG1 logs are insufficient. Enable detailed conversion logging:
Transaction: CV_ADMIN_CONFIG
Set parameter CV_CONVERSION_LOG_LEVEL = ‘DEBUG’
Set parameter CV_VIEWER_TRACE = ‘X’
Then check table CVVISUALIZATIONLOG after a failed conversion attempt. Look for column CONVERSION_DETAILS which contains the actual converter error message. Common SP08 errors:
“Missing assembly reference” = incomplete CAD structure in DMS
“License check failed” = visualization server license expired
“Format version mismatch” = CAD file created with newer version than converter supports
File Conversion Best Practices:
Pre-conversion validation: Before uploading CAD files, verify assembly completeness:
All referenced parts must be uploaded first
File names must match internal references exactly (case-sensitive after SP08)
For SolidWorks: Upload SLDASM before SLDPRT components
Converter configuration: Update conversion profiles in CV_ADMIN_CONFIG:
Enable “ASSEMBLY_STRUCTURE_VALIDATION” = ‘X’
Set “MAX_ASSEMBLY_DEPTH” = 10 (default is 5, insufficient for complex assemblies)
Enable “FALLBACK_TO_STEP” = ‘X’ (converts to STEP if native conversion fails)
Regenerate format mappings: Report CV_FORMAT_MAPPING_REGENERATE
Test with simple single-part file first, then assemblies
Assembly file preparation:
Export assemblies from CAD tool with “Pack and Go” option to ensure all references are captured
Use SAP’s CAD Desktop integration tool to upload assembly structures - it maintains correct reference hierarchy
Avoid manual file uploads for assemblies
Immediate fix for your situation:
Install SAP Note 3285473 (adds SP08 format compatibility)
Enable DEBUG logging in CV_ADMIN_CONFIG
Clear cache with CV_CACHE_CLEAR
Re-upload one failing CAD file using CAD Desktop integration
Check CVVISUALIZATIONLOG for specific error
The 504 timeout is likely a symptom, not the cause. The converter is probably failing format validation before timeout occurs, but the error isn’t propagating correctly to the Fiori frontend, resulting in a generic timeout message.
After implementing these changes, your native CAD format visualization should work correctly. The key is ensuring assembly completeness and proper converter configuration for SP08’s enhanced validation requirements.
This draft is based on general SAP PLM knowledge. It has not been verified against your specific version and environment. Practitioners: verify the steps and share your experience below.
SP08 updated the 3D conversion service with stricter timeout settings. Check parameter wt.visualization.conversion.timeout in your system properties - it might have been reset to default (60 seconds) during the patch. For complex assemblies, you’ll need at least 300 seconds. Also verify that your conversion service workers are running - transaction SMICM, check HTTP server status.
The 504 gateway timeout suggests your reverse proxy or Web Dispatcher is timing out before the conversion completes. SP08 introduced a new conversion pipeline that takes longer for native CAD formats because it now extracts PMI (Product Manufacturing Information) data. Check your Web Dispatcher timeout parameter icm/server_port_0 and increase the TIMEOUT value. We had to change ours from 300 to 900 seconds to handle large assemblies.
I increased the conversion timeout to 300 seconds and restarted the ICM, but still getting the same error. The Web Dispatcher timeout is set to 600 seconds, so that should be adequate. Is there a way to check if the conversion service is actually processing the files, or if it’s failing before it even starts? The SLG1 logs are too generic.
Check transaction SICF and verify that service /sap/bc/ui5_ui5/sap/cv_att_viewer is active and has the correct handler class assigned. SP08 changed the default handler from CL_CV_VIEWER_OLD to CL_CV_VIEWER_V2. If your system wasn’t properly updated, the old handler might be trying to process files with new format requirements. Also, look at table CVVISUALIZATIONLOG for detailed conversion attempts - it logs each step of the conversion pipeline including format detection and converter selection.
Another common issue after SP08 - the JCo connection to the conversion service might be misconfigured. Go to SM59 and test RFC destination CV_VISUALIZATION_RFC. If it fails, recreate the destination pointing to your visualization server. The patch sometimes overwrites custom RFC destinations with default values that point to non-existent servers. Also verify that the visualization service user has authorization for object S_VISUALIZ with activity 03 (display) and 70 (convert).