AI for CAD: applications inside your CAD system
In short
AI for CAD means applications that read, check and change CAD models through the CAD system's own API. We develop them with you in Solid Edge and SolidWorks and in any other CAD system with an API, such as Inventor, CATIA or AutoCAD. Every change stays a preview until an engineer confirms it.
Updated 27 Oct 2026
Custom AI applications that work inside your CAD system, whichever one you use. They derive drawings, check models against your rules, take requests in plain language in Solid Edge and SolidWorks and automate AutoCAD drafting. Inventor, CATIA, Creo and other systems with an API follow the same approach. Every change is a preview until an engineer confirms it.
- Start with
- Sprintone use case · €9,900
- Systems
- Solid Edge, SolidWorks and any CAD system with an API
- Principle
- Preview first, engineer confirms
Services in this area
Drawing automation
Every new part needs the same drawing steps: choose the sheet format, place views, set dimensions, fill the title block, insert the parts list. The application does these steps through the API of your CAD system with your templates and hands the drawing to the engineer as a preview.
Learn more →Model checks
Errors in dimensions, materials or properties often surface at drawing release or in production. Built-in tools in Solid Edge and SolidWorks check settings and geometry faults, custom checks add your company rules, and the AI explains each finding and proposes a fix.
Learn more →AI assistant for Solid Edge
Many Solid Edge requests are small and come back every day: change a value in the variable table and update the draft, enter project name and document number on every part of an assembly, check a sheet metal part before release. The assistant takes such requests in a panel inside Solid Edge and shows what it would change before anything happens.
Learn more →AI assistant for SolidWorks
Much of daily SolidWorks work is small and repetitive: filling custom properties on every part of an assembly, adding a configuration, swapping standard parts, running the checks before release. The assistant takes such requests in a panel inside SolidWorks and shows what it would change before anything happens.
Learn more →AutoCAD automation
In many AutoCAD departments, LISP routines written years ago still run every day, often without documentation. We take stock of them, turn what matters into maintained routines or .NET applications and automate the drafting steps that still cost the most time.
Learn more →AI for any CAD system
Not every design department works in Solid Edge or SolidWorks, and some use two or three CAD systems side by side, for example SolidWorks in-house and CATIA for an OEM. What an AI application can do depends on the API of each system. We check that first and build the application where the API reaches far enough.
Learn more →
Systems we work in
- Solid Edge
- SolidWorks
- Inventor
- CATIA
- AutoCAD
How a project runs
Packages have a fixed scope and price; consulting and open-ended work run at day rates. You decide after each step.
- 01
Intro call
45 minutes with a live demo and a first look at your task.
- 02
Quick Scan
One week, up to two workshop days. You get ranked use cases and a fixed-price offer.
- 03
Sprint
One use case built as a quick win at a fixed price.
- 04
Rollout
Further use cases across teams and sites.
Frequently asked questions
What can AI do in CAD software?
AI in CAD software reads, checks and changes models through the CAD system's API. Typical tasks are deriving drawings, checking models against company rules, filling properties and writing automation routines. In production the reliable route keeps an engineer in the loop: the application prepares the change, and the engineer checks and confirms it.
Does AI work with Solid Edge, SolidWorks, Inventor, CATIA and AutoCAD?
Yes. Each of these systems has a documented API that an AI application can use: the Solid Edge API, the SolidWorks API, the Inventor API with iLogic, CATIA V5 Automation and the AutoCAD .NET API with AutoLISP. What an application can do depends on how much of the system the API exposes.
What is the difference between CAD automation and AI in CAD?
CAD automation runs fixed rules and gives the same result every time, for example a title block filled from properties. AI handles the steps that need interpretation, such as choosing sections for a drawing, reading a guideline written as text or understanding a request in plain language. Robust applications use fixed rules wherever a rule can be stated and AI for the rest.
Is it safe to let AI change CAD models?
Yes, when three conditions hold: every change appears first as a preview, nothing is applied until an engineer confirms, and each change can be undone in one step. The language model and its hosting, in the company network or a private cloud, are agreed per project. The design decision stays with the engineer.
Talk to us about your task.
In the free 45-minute intro call we show a live demo on comparable geometry. Someone from our team replies personally within one working day.