IGES CAD models should be available in a neutral format like IGES or SET, which can be retrieved and read into other CAD-systems. Other Graphics formats XMosaic can browse several bitmap formats. GIF files are most common since that is also the format of the imbedded images in an HTML document. The hypertext browser is the user interface to the system. Through the browser one can browse and read documents on the network.
Advanced browsers handle also graphics by activating previewers to consult graphics files.
Several browsers exists in the Public Domain. All systems should also have the WWW Linemode browser installed to give access also for terminal users. This is the most basic way to access the EDM system and is available virtually for any piece of networked computer equipmment. A WWW Telnet server is another program that gives access for anybody over telnet, not having a user-id for the server. An anonymous FTP server can be setup with public access for general design data, or with group access to some directories for specific projects.