Purpose
Backflip AI is designed to accelerate CAD and 3D modeling workflows, helping users reduce time spent on manual CAD operations and devote more energy to the design of physical products. It works as an AI copilot, and its core capability is understanding 3D geometry and the way engineers construct geometry.
Main Capabilities
Drawing to CAD
Convert legacy engineering drawings into modern 3D CAD. This feature examines the geometry and dimensions in engineering drawings, reconstructs them as parametric 3D models, and includes a complete feature tree editable in the user's CAD software.
3D Scan to CAD
Automatically translate meshes generated by 3D scanners as well as other mesh files into CAD geometry. The output is a fully parametric 3D model with a familiar feature tree, sketch constraints, and external references. Supports STL, OBJ, GLB, GLTF, or PLY mesh files.
Photo to CAD
Reconstruct physical objects into fully parametric 3D models from just a few photos. After specifying one known dimension, Backflip scales everything proportionally, generating models with real sketches, constraints, and features.
3D Intelligent Foundation Model
Backflip has built what it calls the world's first CAD foundation model. This AI copilot natively thinks in CAD terms, not only generating geometry that looks like CAD, but also reasoning about construction strategies, using the same operations as engineers, such as Extrude, Revolve, Pattern, Chamfer, Fillet, and more.
Workflow Integration
Backflip's CAD copilot can work inside the CAD software users already have, with no need to switch tools. It is currently available through a plug-in for Autodesk Fusion and a standalone web app, with plug-ins for Onshape and other CAD software coming soon.
How to Use
Users can use the above features through Backflip's Autodesk Fusion plug-in or the standalone web app. For Photo to CAD, the input is a few photos and one known dimension; for Scan to CAD, the input is STL, OBJ, GLB, GLTF, or PLY mesh files; the output can be a parametric native feature tree or .STEP format. Processing intensity is adjustable, offering fastor agentic thinking mode. The tool is optimized for 3-axis CNC and turned parts, with sheet metal, injection molding, and other features coming soon.
Applicable Scenarios
- Digitize legacy engineering drawings into editable parametric CAD models.
- Quickly convert 3D scan meshes into editable CAD feature trees.
- Quickly reconstruct physical objects into parametric 3D models through photos.
- For engineers and hardware teams who want to accelerate design workflows in existing CAD environments such as Autodesk Fusion.
Limitations and Security
Backflip currently supports optimization for 3-axis CNC and turned parts, while sheet metal, injection molding, and other capabilities are marked as coming soon. Plug-ins for Onshape and other CAD software are also not yet available. In terms of security, customer data is encrypted in transit and at rest, access is isolated by organization, and enterprise data is not used to train models; Backflip is working to complete a SOC2 Type II audit later this year. More detailed information on specific charges, pricing, subscription plans, and more detailed usage steps is not yet available.
