CADAM - Open-Source AI Text-to-CAD in Your Browser

TL;DR

TL;DR: CADAM is an open-source, browser-based text-to-CAD tool that uses AI to generate 3D models from natural language or images via OpenSCAD WASM — no installation required.

Source and Accuracy Notes

⚠️ This section is MANDATORY. All links must be verified from actual source, not guessed.

• Project page: adam.new ← MUST visit and verify
• Source repository: github.com/Adam-CAD/CADAM ← MUST read README
• License: GPL-3.0 ← verified via GitHub API
• HN launch thread: news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48572553
• Source last checked: 2026-07-21 (GitHub stars: 4834, YC W25)

What Is CADAM?

CADAM is an open-source text-to-CAD web application built by the Adam team (YC W25). It lets hardware engineers and makers describe a part in plain English — or upload an image — and get back a parametric 3D model rendered entirely in the browser via OpenSCAD WASM.

“CADAM is the open source text-to-CAD web application.”

The tool targets the gap between AI image generators and actual engineering output: you get exportable .STL, .SCAD, or .DXF files, not just PNG renders.

Setup Workflow

Try the Live Demo

No install needed. Head to adam.new/cadam and type a description.

Self-Host (Docker)

git clone https://github.com/Adam-CAD/CADAM.git
cd CADAM
docker compose up -d
# Open http://localhost:3000

Run from Source

Requirements: Node.js 20+ and npm.

git clone https://github.com/Adam-CAD/CADAM.git
cd CADAM
npm install
npm run dev

Deeper Analysis

How It Works

CADAM uses OpenSCAD compiled to WebAssembly as its rendering engine. The React frontend accepts natural language input, sends it to a language model (the README does not specify which provider — this is configurable in the startup entry), and generates OpenSCAD code that is then compiled to WASM and rendered in real-time.

Parametric sliders let you adjust dimensions after generation — bolt radius, box height, fillet size — without regenerating the full model.

Export Formats

CADAM supports three export formats:

• .STL — standard mesh format for 3D printing
• .SCAD — editable OpenSCAD source (parametric)
• .DXF — CAD interchange format

Library Support

The WASM build includes three popular OpenSCAD library collections pre-bundled:

• BOSL — Bills of Materials Library for OpenSCAD
• BOSL2 — BOSL version 2
• MCAD — OpenSCAD Mechanical CAD Library

Tech Stack

| Layer | Technology | |---|---| | Frontend | React 19 | | Backend | Supabase | | 3D Engine | OpenSCAD WASM | | Deployment | Node.js 20+ |

The GitHub README specifies Node.js 20.19+ or 22.12+.

Practical Evaluation Checklist

• [ ] Live demo loads at adam.new/cadam without an account
• [ ] Natural language prompt generates a recognizable 3D shape
• [ ] Parametric sliders update the model in real-time
• [ ] Export produces a valid .STL or .SCAD file
• [ ] Browser console shows no WASM errors
• [ ] Mobile viewport renders correctly (responsive layout)

Security Notes

• All CAD processing runs client-side in the browser via WASM — no geometry data leaves your machine
• Supabase handles auth and persistence; review your Supabase project settings before self-hosting
• The language model API key is set in the startup entry (configurable endpoint) — never commit keys to the repo

FAQ

Q: Does CADAM require an API key? A: The README states an LLM API key and endpoint are “customizable in the startup entry.” The hosted version at adam.new presumably provides this. Self-hosting requires you to supply a key.

Q: What language models does it support? A: The README does not specify. The architecture appears model-agnostic — any OpenAI-compatible API endpoint can be configured in the startup entry.

Q: Is this production-ready for engineering workflows? A: CADAM is an open-source project in active development. For casual prototyping and conceptual exploration it works well. Always verify critical dimensions against a full CAD tool before manufacturing.

Q: Can I edit generated models? A: Yes — exporting as .SCAD gives you editable parametric OpenSCAD source. You can also fine-tune via the browser-based parametric sliders after generation.

Q: How does this compare to Onshape or Fusion 360? A: CADAM is a specialized text-to-CAD generator, not a full CAD suite. Onshape and Autodesk Fusion are parametric CAD editors with decades of feature depth. CADAM shines for quick conceptual models from natural language; serious engineering still needs a full CAD tool.

Conclusion

CADAM makes 3D CAD accessible from a browser tab — no desktop software, no API key friction (for the hosted version), and open-source so you can audit or extend it. The OpenSCAD WASM approach is technically elegant: geometry never leaves your machine, which matters for confidential designs. If you want to prototype a part in seconds and export real CAD files, it is worth a try.

To get started: adam.new/cadam — no account required.