You should have mentioned this information before, because it makes a huge difference! Where is it hosted?

I compiled the applet from the version 3.5 source, and have it hosted on my private server at home. If you think it would help, I can PM you access info.

If you want a workable sh3d file for the desktop version, you have to select the button Export to SH3D format in the applet toolbar.

Hmm. I don't have that option listed. Here's a screen shot of the applet toolbar I have:

The applet version (at least the one proposed on sweethome3d.com) offers these features too in the contextual menu of the 3D view.

I don't seem to have that either. Here's what my 3D view menu looks like:



I'm starting to wonder -- is there a special configuration option or dependency I missed during compliation? I just used the default ant -applet build option. But playing with the applet hosted here on sweethome3d.com, I see exactly the options you describe that are missing from my build.