# What to Check Before a CAD Model Handover

- Link: https://tannerpress.com/2026/10/31/checking-models-before-cad-handover/
- Published: 2026-10-31T01:58:08-05:00
- Author: Matthew Tanner

A CAD handover is easier to review when the receiving team can understand how the
model is positioned, organized, and exported. Before sending a file, use a repeatable
checklist and confirm any project-specific requirements with the person receiving
it. The appropriate checks depend on the software, deliverable, and exchange workflow.

Confirm the units and scale, then verify the model’s origin, coordinate reference,
and orientation. If the project uses agreed coordinates or a shared origin, document
what those values mean. A model that opens successfully can still be difficult to
use if its position or orientation is unclear.

Check file and object names against the project’s naming conventions. Look for missing
references, unexpected external dependencies, and project information that should
not travel with the deliverable. Where references are necessary, make clear which
files are included and how they relate to the main model.

Agree on the required exchange format and any version constraints before export.
Do not assume that a format name alone guarantees the receiving workflow can use
a file: confirm the specific requirements with the recipient. If the handover includes
multiple deliverables, identify which file is authoritative and explain any differences
between them.

After exporting, open the exported file in the receiving workflow when possible,
or ask the receiving team to confirm it. Check that the geometry, units, orientation,
names, and required references remain intact. Reviewing the source file alone does
not verify that the exported deliverable behaves as expected.

Finish with a concise handover note listing the included files, relevant units and
coordinates, agreed format and version, and any known limitations. Keep the checklist
aligned with actual project requirements, and update it when the receiving workflow
changes. This makes the process clearer without implying that one checklist fits
every CAD exchange.