If nothing much happens when you try it, it is because the data file was loaded before you had time to lift the finger from the mouse button. Not something to worry about in the days when the program was written! But common now, especially after the file is cached into memory. Just have to be quick; as a last resort disable the cache if you can, or store the data in a floppy disk [UPDATE: Here is an updated 3dv.exe without that problem]
There are some utilities, example files and other goodies in SimTel, etc., under msdos/graphics/3dkit1.zip. In case you need it, here is a fix for a small bug in the shrink program.