Large Language Models for Computer-Aided Design: A Survey
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Abstract (arXiv)
Large Language Models (LLMs) have seen rapid advancements in recent years, with models like ChatGPT and DeepSeek, showcasing their remarkable capabilities across diverse domains. While substantial research has been conducted on LLMs in various fields, a comprehensive review focusing on their integration with Computer-Aided Design (CAD) remains notably absent. CAD is the industry standard for 3D modeling and plays a vital role in the design and development of products across different industries. As the complexity of modern designs increases, the potential for LLMs to enhance and streamline CAD workflows presents an exciting frontier. This article presents the first systematic survey exploring the intersection of LLMs and CAD. We begin by outlining the industrial significance of CAD, highlighting the need for AI-driven innovation. Next, we provide a detailed overview of the foundation of LLMs. We also examine both closed-source LLMs as well as publicly available models. The core of this review focuses on the various applications of LLMs in CAD, providing a taxonomy of six key areas where these models are making considerable impact. Finally, we propose several promising future directions for further advancements, which offer vast opportunities for innovation and are poised to shape the future of CAD technology. Github: https://github.com/lichengzhanguom/LLMs-CAD-Survey-Taxonomy
Key facts. Cited by 18 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026). Builds on 157 of its 280 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 13 May 2025.
Builds on
157 of 280 references.
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Citing papers per year: 2025: 4; 2026: 14.
18 papers.
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- 2026CADBench: A Multimodal Benchmark for AI-Assisted CAD Program Generationcited by 11
- 2025NURBGen: High-Fidelity Text-to-CAD Generation through LLM-Driven NURBS Modelingcited by 6
- 2026BrepCoder: A Unified Multimodal Large Language Model for Multi-task B-rep Reasoningcited by 3
- 2025Automated Facility Enumeration for Building Compliance Checking using Door Detection and Large Language Modelscited by 1
- 2026PLLM: Pseudo-Labeling Large Language Models for CAD Program Synthesiscited by 1
- 2026TurboAgent: An LLM-Driven Autonomous Multi-Agent Framework for Turbomachinery Aerodynamic Designcited by 1
- 2026FllumaOne: A Code-Native Multimodal CAD Dataset with Executable Programs and Kernel-Validated Feature Historiescited by 1
- 2026BIM-Edit: Benchmarking Large Language Models for IFC-Based Building Information Modelingcited by 1
- 2026Design-to-Plan: A Large Language Model-Based Multi-Agent Framework for Manufacturing Process Planning from 3D CAD Models and 2D Engineering Drawingscited by 1
- 2025Intelligent Design 4.0: Paradigm Evolution Toward the Agentic AI Eracited by 0
- 2025Error Notebook-Guided, Training-Free Part Retrieval in 3D CAD Assemblies via Vision-Language Modelscited by 0
- 2026CoMa: Contextual Massing Generation with Vision-Language Modelscited by 0
6 more
- 2026Plato's Form: Toward Backdoor Defense-as-a-Service for LLMs with Prototype Representationscited by 0
- 2026Enhancing Creativity in 3D Generative Design via a TRIZ-Inspired Text-to-CAD Frameworkcited by 0
- 2026Drawing-Recode: Annotation Grounding for Parametric CAD Code Generation from Raster 2D CAD Drawingscited by 0
- 2026VisCAD: A Foundation Model Suite with Multimodal Industrial CAD Intelligencecited by 0
- 2026A Building as a Repository: KIR, a Typed Intermediate Representation for Agent-Authored Building Information Modelscited by 0
- 2026Dependable AI-Assisted Engineering: A Formal Framework for AI Participation and Assurance in Safety-Critical Workflowscited by 0
- 2026Dependable AI-Assisted Engineering: A Formal Framework for AI Participation and Assurance in Safety-Critical Workflows2 Oct 2026
- 2026A Building as a Repository: KIR, a Typed Intermediate Representation for Agent-Authored Building Information Models13 Sep 2026
- 2026VisCAD: A Foundation Model Suite with Multimodal Industrial CAD Intelligence3 Sep 2026
- 2026Design-to-Plan: A Large Language Model-Based Multi-Agent Framework for Manufacturing Process Planning from 3D CAD Models and 2D Engineering Drawings25 Aug 2026
- 2026Drawing-Recode: Annotation Grounding for Parametric CAD Code Generation from Raster 2D CAD Drawings30 Jul 2026
- 2026Enhancing Creativity in 3D Generative Design via a TRIZ-Inspired Text-to-CAD Framework19 Jun 2026
- 2026BIM-Edit: Benchmarking Large Language Models for IFC-Based Building Information Modeling18 Jun 2026
- 2026FllumaOne: A Code-Native Multimodal CAD Dataset with Executable Programs and Kernel-Validated Feature Histories16 Jun 2026
- 2026CADBench: A Multimodal Benchmark for AI-Assisted CAD Program Generation11 May 2026
- 2026TurboAgent: An LLM-Driven Autonomous Multi-Agent Framework for Turbomachinery Aerodynamic Design8 Apr 2026
- 2026BrepCoder: A Unified Multimodal Large Language Model for Multi-task B-rep Reasoning25 Feb 2026
- 2026PLLM: Pseudo-Labeling Large Language Models for CAD Program Synthesis13 Feb 2026
6 more
- 2026Plato's Form: Toward Backdoor Defense-as-a-Service for LLMs with Prototype Representations6 Feb 2026
- 2026CoMa: Contextual Massing Generation with Vision-Language Models13 Jan 2026
- 2025NURBGen: High-Fidelity Text-to-CAD Generation through LLM-Driven NURBS Modeling9 Nov 2025
- 2025Automated Facility Enumeration for Building Compliance Checking using Door Detection and Large Language Models21 Sep 2025
- 2025Error Notebook-Guided, Training-Free Part Retrieval in 3D CAD Assemblies via Vision-Language Models1 Sep 2025
- 2025Intelligent Design 4.0: Paradigm Evolution Toward the Agentic AI Era11 Jun 2025
- 2026CADBench: A Multimodal Benchmark for AI-Assisted CAD Program Generationcited by 11
- 2025NURBGen: High-Fidelity Text-to-CAD Generation through LLM-Driven NURBS Modelingcited by 6
- 2025Automated Facility Enumeration for Building Compliance Checking using Door Detection and Large Language Modelscited by 1
- 2026PLLM: Pseudo-Labeling Large Language Models for CAD Program Synthesiscited by 1
- 2026TurboAgent: An LLM-Driven Autonomous Multi-Agent Framework for Turbomachinery Aerodynamic Designcited by 1
- 2026FllumaOne: A Code-Native Multimodal CAD Dataset with Executable Programs and Kernel-Validated Feature Historiescited by 1
- 2026BIM-Edit: Benchmarking Large Language Models for IFC-Based Building Information Modelingcited by 1
- 2026Enhancing Creativity in 3D Generative Design via a TRIZ-Inspired Text-to-CAD Frameworkcited by 0
- 2026Drawing-Recode: Annotation Grounding for Parametric CAD Code Generation from Raster 2D CAD Drawingscited by 0
- 2026VisCAD: A Foundation Model Suite with Multimodal Industrial CAD Intelligencecited by 0
- 2026A Building as a Repository: KIR, a Typed Intermediate Representation for Agent-Authored Building Information Modelscited by 0
- 2026Dependable AI-Assisted Engineering: A Formal Framework for AI Participation and Assurance in Safety-Critical Workflowscited by 0
- 2026Dependable AI-Assisted Engineering: A Formal Framework for AI Participation and Assurance in Safety-Critical Workflows2 Oct 2026
- 2026A Building as a Repository: KIR, a Typed Intermediate Representation for Agent-Authored Building Information Models13 Sep 2026
- 2026VisCAD: A Foundation Model Suite with Multimodal Industrial CAD Intelligence3 Sep 2026
- 2026Drawing-Recode: Annotation Grounding for Parametric CAD Code Generation from Raster 2D CAD Drawings30 Jul 2026
- 2026Enhancing Creativity in 3D Generative Design via a TRIZ-Inspired Text-to-CAD Framework19 Jun 2026
- 2026BIM-Edit: Benchmarking Large Language Models for IFC-Based Building Information Modeling18 Jun 2026
- 2026FllumaOne: A Code-Native Multimodal CAD Dataset with Executable Programs and Kernel-Validated Feature Histories16 Jun 2026
- 2026CADBench: A Multimodal Benchmark for AI-Assisted CAD Program Generation11 May 2026
- 2026TurboAgent: An LLM-Driven Autonomous Multi-Agent Framework for Turbomachinery Aerodynamic Design8 Apr 2026
- 2026PLLM: Pseudo-Labeling Large Language Models for CAD Program Synthesis13 Feb 2026
- 2025NURBGen: High-Fidelity Text-to-CAD Generation through LLM-Driven NURBS Modeling9 Nov 2025
- 2025Automated Facility Enumeration for Building Compliance Checking using Door Detection and Large Language Models21 Sep 2025