Launch HN: Adam (YC W25) – Open-Source AI CAD

Adam, a Y Combinator W25 startup, launched CADAM, an open-source AI-powered CAD tool that generates parametric 3D models from natural language or images in a browser. The tool exports to STL, SCAD, and DXF formats and includes libraries like BOSL and MCAD, enabling rapid design iteration.

👉 adam.new/cadam . Generate a CAD model in seconds, right in your browser. No install required. - 🤖 AI-Powered Generation - Transform natural language and images into 3D models - 🎛️ Parametric Controls - Interactive sliders for instant dimension adjustments - 📦 Multiple Export Formats - Export as .STL, .SCAD, or .DXF files - 🌐 Browser-Based - Runs entirely in your browser using WebAssembly - 📚 Library Support - Includes BOSL, BOSL2, and MCAD libraries | Feature | Description | |---|---| Natural Language Input | Describe your 3D model in plain English | Image References | Upload images to guide model generation | Real-time Preview | See your model update instantly with Three.js | Parameter Extraction | Automatically identifies adjustable dimensions | Smart Updates | Efficient parameter changes without AI re-generation | Custom Fonts | Built-in Geist font support for text in models | A showcase of what CADAM builds from a single plain-language description — from full multi-part machines down to clean parametric parts. Each model below started from the prompt shown and came out as fully parametric OpenSCAD, ready to export as .STL , .SCAD , or .DXF . The source and a short write-up for each live in benchmarks/ /Adam-CAD/CADAM/blob/master/benchmarks ; the orbiting previews are rendered with . /Adam-CAD/CADAM/blob/master/benchmarks/render.sh benchmarks/render.sh | Model | Prompt | Controls | Output | |---|---|---|---| V8 engine | 8 colors 9-cylinder radial aircraft engine 6 colors Turbofan jet engine 10 colors Axial turbine blisk 1 color | Model | Prompt | Controls | Output | |---|---|---|---| Twisted hexagonal vase | 1 color Knurled control knob 2 colors Hex bolt & nut — real threads 2 colors Honeycomb lightweight bracket 1 color NACA 2412 tapered wing 1 color Threaded jar & screw-on lid 2 colors Right-angle bevel gear drive 3 colors Centrifugal pump impeller 1 color Herringbone planetary gear stage 4 colors Clone the repository git clone https://github.com/Adam-CAD/CADAM.git cd CADAM Install dependencies npm install Start Supabase npx supabase start npx supabase functions serve --no-verify-jwt Start the development server npm run dev - Node.js ^20.19.0 or =22.12.0, with npm 10+ - Supabase CLI - ngrok for local webhook development - Copy .env.local.template to .env.local - Update all required keys in .env.local : VITE SUPABASE ANON KEY="<Test Anon Key " VITE SUPABASE URL='http://127.0.0.1:54321' - Add server-side keys to .env.local , including: ANTHROPIC API KEY="<Test Anthropic API Key " OPENROUTER API KEY="<Test OpenRouter API Key " OPENAI API KEY="<Test OpenAI API Key " GOOGLE API KEY="<Test Google API Key " FAL KEY="<Test FAL API Key " SUPABASE SERVICE ROLE KEY="<Test Service Role Key " BILLING SERVICE URL="<Test Billing Service URL " BILLING SERVICE KEY="<Test Billing Service Key " ENVIRONMENT="local" ADAM URL="<Adam URL or dev URL " Checkout and portal redirect target WEBHOOK BASE URL="<Public TanStack App URL " Your app URL for /cadam/api callbacks NGROK URL="<NGROK URL " Optional local Supabase Storage tunnel for provider-readable signed URLs CADAM uses public URLs for provider callbacks and local signed storage URLs: - Install ngrok if you haven't already: npm install -g ngrok or brew install ngrok - Start an ngrok tunnel pointing to your TanStack Start dev server: ngrok http 3000 - Copy the generated ngrok URL e.g., https://xxxx-xx-xx-xxx-xx.ngrok.io https://xxxx-xx-xx-xxx-xx.ngrok.io and add it to your .env.local file: WEBHOOK BASE URL="https://xxxx-xx-xx-xxx-xx.ngrok.io" - If a provider must fetch local Supabase Storage signed URLs, run a second tunnel to Supabase and set NGROK URL to that URL. - Ensure ENVIRONMENT="local" is set in the same file. npm i npx supabase start npm run dev Frontend: React 19 + TypeScript + TanStack Start + Vite 3D Rendering: Three.js + React Three Fiber CAD Engine: OpenSCAD WebAssembly Backend: TanStack Start server routes + Supabase PostgreSQL/Auth/Storage AI: Anthropic Claude API Styling: Tailwind CSS + shadcn/ui Libraries: BOSL, BOSL2, MCAD If you have a suggestion that would make this better, please fork the repo and create a pull request. You can also open an issue https://github.com/Adam-CAD/CADAM/issues . See the CONTRIBUTING.md /Adam-CAD/CADAM/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md for instructions and code of conduct /Adam-CAD/CADAM/blob/master/CODE OF CONDUCT.md . This app wouldn't be possible without the work of: This distribution is licensed under the GNU General Public License v3.0 GPLv3 . See LICENSE . Components and attributions: - Portions of this project are derived from openscad-web-gui GPLv3 . - This distribution includes unmodified binaries from OpenSCAD WASM under GPL v2 or later; distributed here under GPLv3 as part of the combined work. See src/vendor/openscad-wasm/SOURCE-OFFER.txt . Live chart by RepoStars — click for the interactive version.