zCAD — AI CAD meets parametric modeling, from prompt to production | LaunchDaily
zCAD
AI CAD meets parametric modeling, from prompt to production
ai cad
parametric cad
cloud cad
generative design
3d modeling
engineering drawings
zCAD.ai is an AI-native CAD platform with two connected products: zCAD.AI, which generates editable parametric CAD parts and assemblies from a text description or reference image, and zCAD.Online, a browser-based parametric modeling workspace for parts, assemblies, sheet metal, weldments, drawings and team collaboration. The same model passes between the two products with no export or import step.
Key Features
AI CAD generation
Turn text or a reference image into structured, editable parametric CAD. Describe function, mounting interfaces, controlled dimensions and required relationships; the output is a parametric solid assembly with driving dimensions, geometric constraints and assembly mates. Multiple parts and their mat
Parametric modeling
Browser-based sketches and constraints, solid features (patterns, booleans, reference geometry, measurement, materials), surfaces and wireframe curves, with direct editing of controlled dimensions.
Assemblies
Multi-level assembly structures, standard and mechanical mates, static interference detection, BOM and motion simulation.
Sheet metal, weldments and routing
Base sheets, flanges, bends, unfold/fold, forming tools and flat-pattern drawings; weldment structural members; rigid and flexible pipe routing with ports, control points and manufacturing output (routing is an Online Pro/Enterprise module).
Engineering drawings
Associative 2D drawings from the model with chain dimensions, geometric tolerances, surface finish, hole tables and balloons, plus model-based definition (MBD/PMI) for 3D annotation.
Analysis and rendering
Static structural analysis, built-in rendering, and tools for measuring and inspecting geometry such as thickness, draft and surface-curvature analysis.
CAD data exchange
Import and export across engineering formats including SolidWorks, CATIA, NX, Inventor, Solid Edge, STEP and Parasolid.
Team collaboration
Real-time co-editing, full version history, project permissions, online review, and shared workspace storage.
How It Works
1
Describe the part or assembly
In zCAD.AI, write an engineering description (function, mounting interfaces, controlled dimensions, required relationships) and optionally attach a reference image or sketch.
2
Generate editable CAD
zCAD.AI produces a parametric solid assembly with driving dimensions, geometric constraints and assembly mates, which can be inspected and refined. Multiple parts and their mates can be generated together.
3
Continue in zCAD.Online
The same model hands off to zCAD.Online with no export/import step. There you extend the assembly, add sheet metal, weldments and surfaces, and change controlled dimensions.
4
Deliver drawings and manufacturing data
Produce associative 2D drawings and the CAD/manufacturing data the next process step needs, with version history, review and collaboration across the team.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Two integrated products cover the full path from AI-generated concept to drawings and manufacturing data, with seamless handoff (no export/import between them).
Full parametric CAD runs in the browser — no installs mentioned, with real-time co-editing and version history.
Imports from major CAD formats (SolidWorks, CATIA, NX, Inventor, Solid Edge, STEP, Parasolid), easing evaluation with existing data.
Generous free tier during Beta: Personal plan includes all available modeling tools and all export formats during Beta.
Cons
Who It's For
Best for
Mechanical design engineers who want to generate editable parametric CAD from a functional description or sketch
Hardware and prototyping engineers who need parts that fit existing hardware, hole patterns and clearances
Fixture engineers building custom locating and clamping fixtures
Product designers preparing forms for manufacturing (draft, wall thickness, undercuts)
Small engineering teams (2–9 people) needing browser-based co-editing, version history and supplier access control
Not ideal for
Users who need a fully free, commercial-use CAD tool after Beta — the free plan is non-commercial and post-Beta limits exports to STL, 3MF a
Use Cases
Hardware engineer: fit a bracket to existing hardware with fixed hole spacing, then adjust free dimensions such as height.
Fixture engineer: generate a locating-block-and-clamp fixture set, then adjust hole positions to match a machine table.
Mechanical design engineer: build a welded frame with guarding, check interference and produce drawings in the browser.
Product designer: turn a settled enclosure form into a moldable two-piece part, checking wall thickness, draft angles, undercuts and snap positions, with render
Prototyping engineer: make a printed prototype fit existing hardware and export STEP for further CAD work or STL for 3D printing.
Engineering team lead: track revisions across several people, roll back versions and control supplier access.
Pricing
zCAD has two product lines sharing one account. During Beta, all available features on the free plans are free. zCAD.AI offers a Free plan (200 credits/month plus 600 one-time Beta credits per the pricing section; the FAQ mentions 100/month plus a 200-credit Beta gift, so exact numbers differ between pages), Plus at $49.99/month (1,650 credits/month), AI Pro at $89.99/month (3,000 credits/month, i
zCAD.AI — Free
Free — 200 credits/month plus 600 one-time Beta credits (FAQ
Free AI generation plan with a monthly credit allowance; free accounts have public models and are non-commercial.
zCAD.AI — Plus
$49.99 / month
1,650 credits per month.
zCAD.AI — AI Pro
$89.99 / month
3,000 credits per month and includes Online Standard.
zCAD.AI — Business
Custom plan
AI plans for teams.
zCAD.Online — Personal
$0
Free plan. One seat, non-commercial use, public models only, all available modeling tools and all export formats during Beta (Beta-marked exports); STL, 3MF and OBJ exports after Beta. 500 MB uploads, 50 GB storage.
zCAD.Online — Standard
$58.90 per user / month (Beta price); yearly shown as $589 /
Integrations
SolidWorks (import)
CATIA (import)
NX (import)
Inventor (import)
Solid Edge (import)
STEP (import/export)
Parasolid (import)
FAQ
What is zCAD?
zCAD is an AI-native CAD platform with two products: zCAD.AI for generating editable CAD from a description, and zCAD.Online for direct parametric modeling, drawings and collaboration. Both use one account, shared model data and credits.
Is zCAD a CAD viewer or CAD modeling software?
zCAD provides modeling software. zCAD.Online is a browser-based parametric CAD workspace. There is also a dedicated viewer for opening and inspecting CAD when you do not need to edit it.
Which product should I choose?
Start with zCAD.AI to generate a part or assembly from an engineering brief. Choose zCAD.Online for direct modeling, drawing creation and team project work. You can use either independently or continue from AI into Online with the same account.
Free Personal plan is single-seat and non-commercial only, with public models and no private option.
Advanced modules (synchronous modeling, routing, full MBD/PMI, batch generation) require Online Pro or Enterprise, and Pro launch timing is still TBD.
Commercial use, private models and all import/export formats require the paid Online Standard plan ($58.90/user/month during Beta).
The Beta changes the product after it ends — Personal will be reduced to a smaller feature set with only STL, 3MF and OBJ exports, and Beta end dates have not been announced.
Upload sizes and storage are limited on lower tiers (500 MB / 50 GB on Personal), and Standard caps teams at 9 seats — 10+ seats require the Enterprise plan.
Organizations that depend on synchronous (direct face) editing or pipe routing — these modules are not available until Online Pro ships
Teams of 10 or more on Standard — they must move to the custom Enterprise plan with PDM seats
CAD administrator: evaluate the tool with a real project including import, revision, drawing and export.
Private models and commercial use, all supported import/export formats, team workspace and full version history, customer support, 200 AI credits per month. Up to 9 seats, 1 GB uploads, 1 TB storage.
The free plans include the available modeling features during Beta; advanced Online Pro modules remain unavailable. AI Free includes a monthly credit allowance plus a one-time Beta credit gift. Free accounts have public models and are non-commercial. See the pricing page for export rules and changes after Beta.
Who is zCAD for?
zCAD is for mechanical engineers, product designers, hardware makers and teams creating and revising parts, assemblies and drawings.
What happens after Beta ends?
Personal stays free but keeps a reduced feature set with STL, 3MF and OBJ exports. Standard provides commercial use and all supported export formats. Detailed feature scope and Beta end dates will be announced separately.
How do AI credits work?
AI plans are credit-based: Free includes 200 credits per month plus a one-time Beta credit gift (per the pricing section; the FAQ lists different figures), Plus includes 1,650 credits/month, AI Pro includes 3,000 credits/month. Online Standard also includes 200 AI credits per month, reset monthly. Credits are shared between the two products.
