Backflip AI has launched its AI copilot for CAD, which the company says converts 3D scans, STL files and other mesh formats into fully editable, parametric CAD models.
As a reminder, the company founded by Markforged founders, turned stealth mode off in 2024, with the goal of building tools and a foundational AI model that improves the design process for everything in the physical world.
With the launch of this AI copilot for CAD, Backflip AI emphasizes the economic aspect which is not often discussed as part of the design process:
Turning a physical part into a usable CAD model has meant hours of skilled reverse-engineering work at a typical cost of $1,500 or more per part. Backflip says it brings that down to minutes and roughly $10; a more than 100x drop that, in its view, makes it viable for manufacturers to digitize every part on the factory floor rather than a small fraction of them.
Professionals running an AM spare parts operation could be familiar with this challenge: A failed component with no off-the-shelf replacement, a legacy part with no CAD file, a fixture that needs modification.
Each of these challenges falls to one of the few people in the building who can recreate a model, and the queue keeps growing. Capturing a part with a 3D scanner can be taught in days; converting that scan into an editable model has required years of CAD experience.
Underneath the copilot is Backflip’s second-generation foundation model, built specifically for 3D geometry and trained to chain CAD operations (extrude, revolve, pattern) the way a human engineer works.
Agent loops sit on top: the 3D Scan to CAD tool reconstructs a mesh, checks its own output, then iterates. A fast mode handles typical geometries in a couple of minutes, while a Thinking mode allows more time for complex parts.
The company notes the tool excels at moderate-complexity 3-axis CNC milled and turned parts. A second tool, Multimodal AI Search, lets users query a parts library by text or photo.
“We built ours with 3D CAD operations as a first-class primitive and trained it to design the way engineers actually do, breaking down a bulk geometry, then rebuilding it feature by feature, operation by operation. The result is the first foundation model whose output you can open in your CAD package and just keep working,” said Kairo Morton, Founding Engineer at Backflip.
Backflip’s AI tools for CAD are live today, with two ways to get started:
- Autodesk Fusion: Backflip’s add-in to Fusion brings the copilot directly into an existing CAD environment, including AI photo search across a user’s full CAD library.
- Web app: Log in from any browser with no install required. Exports portable .STEP files usable in any mechanical CAD software.
Anyone can create a Backflip account, which includes four free reconstructions. Continued access starts at $20/month across Builder, Pro, Business, and Enterprise plans.
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