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About this video

Turn Plain English into Printable CAD

The PrintPal CAD Agent is a text-to-CAD tool that converts a simple sentence into real, printable geometry. Instead of learning a modeling package first, you describe the part you want — say, a 60×40 mounting plate with M3 counterbored holes — and the agent commits to units and dimensions, lays out a checklist, then generates OpenSCAD code and renders the model right in your browser. You can go from a written prompt to an exported STL in roughly two minutes.

Two Ways to Model

PrintPal gives you flexibility in how you work, with the AI Agent available in either mode:

  • Build mode – a visual workspace where you click and drag shapes in 3D.
  • Code mode – the full OpenSCAD editor for parametric, script-based modeling.
  • AI Agent – sits on the right and drives changes in whichever mode you prefer.

Tips for Better Results

The golden rule is to be specific. Vague prompts produce vague parts, so feed the agent real numbers.

  • Give exact dimensions and tolerances (e.g. hole diameter, wall thickness).
  • Iterate with plain requests like "make the holes 4 mm, add fillets" — the agent shows exactly what changed.
  • Type the @ symbol to reference a specific feature, parameter, or hardware part by name.
  • Use Auto-iterate so the agent screenshots its own model and self-corrects.
  • Drag in a reference image; labeled engineering drawings give the best results.

Exporting Your Model

When the part looks right, open File → Export and save as STL or 3MF for slicing and printing.

FAQ

Do I need an account? Yes. You must be signed in because each AI turn uses a few credits.

What units does it use? The agent assumes millimeters and FDM-friendly defaults.

Can I trust the output as-is? Always verify before printing. The generated CAD is a strong starting point, not a guaranteed-correct final design — check dimensions, hole placement, and tolerances yourself.

Which workflow is fastest? Describe, refine, export — let the agent draft the geometry, refine with natural-language tweaks, then export STL or 3MF.

Full Transcript

This is the PrintPal cad Agent — you describe a part in plain English, and it writes real, printable cad for you. Let me show you how to go from a sentence to an STL in about two minutes. There are two ways to work. Build mode is visual — click and drag shapes in 3D. Code mode is the full Openscad editor. And on the right, the AI Agent works in either mode — that's what we'll use today. The golden rule: be specific. Give it real dimensions and tolerances. I'll use this starter prompt — a 60-by-40 mounting plate with M3 counterbored holes. Notice it doesn't just dump code: it writes a brief committing to units and size, lays out a checklist, then generates the Openscad and renders it right here in your browser. To change anything, just say so — "make the holes 4 millimeters, add fillets" — and it shows you exactly what changed. Two things worth knowing: Auto-iterate lets the agent screenshot its own model and self-correct, and typing the @ symbol lets you reference a specific feature, parameter, or hardware part by name. You can also drag in a reference image — engineering drawings with labeled dimensions give the best results. When you're happy, go to File, then Export: STL or 3MF for printing. Two quick caveats. One — you'll need to be signed in, since each AI turn uses a few credits. Two — and this matters — always verify the output before you print or rely on it. The agent assumes millimeters and FDM-friendly defaults, but it's a starting point, not a stamp of approval. That's it — describe, refine, export. Go build something.