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About this video

What the PrintPal CAD Agent Does

In a one-minute demo, PrintPal's CAD agent turns a plain-language request into a parametric 3D model. You describe the part (for example, a desk organizer), give an overall size such as 20 × 10 cm, and attach a reference photo. The agent then writes editable OpenSCAD code, renders it, compares the result to the picture, and refines until the geometry matches.

Parametric, Not a Frozen STL

Unlike mesh generators that hand back a static STL, PrintPal outputs OpenSCAD. That means wall thickness, hole size, and overall length are parameters. Change one value and the part regenerates instead of starting from scratch. This makes the workflow ideal for iterating on functional prints, brackets, enclosures, and organizers.

How the Agent Works

Before writing any code, the agent commits to a design brief and a checklist covering envelope, features, and assumptions. It then:

  • Writes the OpenSCAD source
  • Renders the model in the browser and captures screenshots
  • Compares a 4-view sheet of the render against the attached reference photo
  • Refines the geometry (in the demo, it added a slot the first version missed)

You do not need to know OpenSCAD to use it. If you do, Code mode shows the raw source and Build mode exposes the variables as sliders. Named features stay tagged, so a follow-up message can change one feature without rebuilding the whole part.

Built-In Printability Checks

After every render, the agent validates:

  • Bounding box against the brief
  • Manifold (watertight) geometry
  • Basic printability such as minimum wall thickness

Compile errors are caught and repaired in a bounded retry loop.

Export Options

Files are generated in the browser and only the AI turns consume credits. Supported exports include:

  • STL or 3MF for your slicer
  • STEP for Fusion 360, SOLIDWORKS, Onshape, or FreeCAD
  • The raw .scad file for further editing

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know OpenSCAD? No. The agent writes it for you, but you can inspect or edit the code in Code mode.

Can I change a dimension after the model is built? Yes. Parameters regenerate the part without re-describing the whole design.

What formats can I export? STL, 3MF, STEP, and .scad, all rendered and downloaded in-browser.

Full Transcript

A one-minute demo of PrintPal’s CAD agent. You describe a desk organizer, give the size, and attach a photo. It writes parametric OpenSCAD, checks the render against the picture, and the clip ends on the printed part. This is not a mesh generator. Mesh tools hand back a frozen STL: change a dimension and you start over. PrintPal writes editable OpenSCAD, so wall thickness, hole size, or overall length is a parameter. Change it and the part regenerates. In the video the prompt is the goal, the overall size (20 × 10 cm), and a reference photo. Before it writes code, the agent commits to a design brief and a checklist: envelope, features, and the assumptions it made. Then it writes the OpenSCAD, renders it in the browser, and takes screenshots of that render. With a photo attached, it compares a 4-view sheet of the model to the reference and refines. In this clip that pass adds a slot the first version missed. You do not need to know OpenSCAD. The agent writes it. If you do, Code mode is the source, and Build mode turns the variables into sliders. Named features stay tagged in the code, so a later message can change one feature without rebuilding the whole part. Compile errors get repaired in a bounded retry. After each render it checks the bounding box against the brief, whether the solid is manifold, and basic printability such as wall thickness. Export is STL or 3MF for a slicer, STEP for Fusion 360, SOLIDWORKS, Onshape, or FreeCAD, or the .scad file itself. Preview and export run in the browser. Only the AI turns use credits. Try it: https://printpal.io/cad-agent?ref=yt_... 0:00 Write the prompt 0:16 Add a reference photo 0:24 The agent plans the model and writes the code 0:32 It compares the render to the photo and refines it 0:44 The finished model 0:48 The printed part #3Dprinting #OpenSCAD #CAD #parametric