# Intelligent CAD 2.0

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2410.03759 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2410.03759/

## Key facts

- Cited by 5 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 2 Oct 2024.

## Built on by (most cited first, 5 of 5)

- [Bringing Attention to CAD: Boundary Representation Learning via Transformer](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2504.07134/) (2025)
- [Drawing2CAD: Sequence-to-Sequence Learning for CAD Generation from Vector Drawings](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2508.18733/) (2025)
- [DreamCAD: Scaling Multi-modal CAD Generation using Differentiable Parametric Surfaces](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2603.05607/) (2026)
- [AirfoilGen: A valid-by-construction and performance-aware latent diffusion model for airfoil generation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2605.20303/) (2026)
- [KDH-CAD: Knowledge-data hybrid CAD learning under data scarcity](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2606.01702/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Integrating modern artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, particularly generative AI, holds the promise of revolutionizing computer-aided design (CAD) tools and the engineering design process. However, the direction of "AI+CAD" remains unclear: how will the current generation of intelligent CAD (ICAD) differ from its predecessor in the 1980s and 1990s, what strategic pathways should researchers and engineers pursue for its implementation, and what potential technical challenges might arise? As an attempt to address these questions, this paper investigates the transformative role of modern AI techniques in advancing CAD towards ICAD. It first analyzes the design process and reconsiders the roles AI techniques can assume in this process, highlighting how they can restructure the path humans, computers, and designs interact with each other. The primary conclusion is that ICAD systems should assume an intensional rather than extensional role in the design process. This offers insights into the evaluation of the previous generation of ICAD (ICAD 1.0) and outlines a prospective framework and trajectory for the next generation of ICAD (ICAD 2.0).