CADIR: A Cross-Backend Editable Intermediate Representation for Agentic CAD Generation
On the map: LLM agents and tool use → Multimodal and embodied agents
Abstract (arXiv)
Large language models have made it possible to generate executable computer-aided design (CAD) programs from natural-language descriptions or images. However, existing methods represent modeling processes as backend-specific sequential scripts with implicit dependencies or as static geometry, making it difficult to simultaneously preserve construction history, stable topological references, and feature-level editability across different CAD systems. We present CADIR, an agent-friendly executable intermediate representation for CAD generation and cross-backend editing. Built on the OCCT geometry kernel via OCP, CADIR provides explicit, compositional modeling operations and fine-grained execution diagnostics. During program execution, CADIR records modeling operations, parameter dependencies, constraints, and topology selections in a construction graph. To enable reliable cross-backend reconstruction, we introduce Geometric Signature Matching, which identifies corresponding edges and faces despite parameter changes and backend differences, allowing adapters to reconstruct native editable feature histories in FreeCAD, SolidWorks, and Fusion 360. Building on this representation, we further propose a construction-graph retrieval method for text and image queries that supports both full-graph and subgraph retrieval, enabling agents to leverage complete models and modeling substructures. Extensive experiments demonstrate that CADIR achieves higher geometric fidelity and execution reliability than existing CAD representations, that construction-graph retrieval further improves model generation quality, and that cross-backend editing enables reliable model reconstruction and post-reconstruction editing across multiple CAD environments.
Key facts. Cited by 2 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026). Placed in Multimodal and embodied agents, one of 16 directions in LLM agents and tool use. Builds on 15 of its 22 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 1 Aug 2026.
Builds on
15 of 22 references.
Closest ancestors · 2
Same direction, newest first
- 2026Clarify Before You Draw: Proactive Agents for Robust Text-to-CAD Generation3 Feb
- 2025From Idea to CAD: A Language Model-Driven Multi-Agent System for Collaborative Design6 Mar
Other references · 13
- 2021DeepCAD: A Deep Generative Network for Computer-Aided Design Modelscited by 271
- 2026MemRL: Self-Evolving Agents via Runtime Reinforcement Learning on Episodic Memorycited by 129
- 2024BrepGen: A B-rep Generative Diffusion Model with Structured Latent Geometrycited by 103
- 2025CAD-Llama: Leveraging Large Language Models for Computer-Aided Design Parametric 3D Model Generationcited by 67
- 2024Generating CAD Code with Vision-Language Models for 3D Designscited by 62
- 2025CAD-Coder: Text-to-CAD Generation with Chain-of-Thought and Geometric Rewardcited by 56
- 2024CAD-Assistant: Tool-Augmented VLLMs as Generic CAD Task Solverscited by 40
- 2025Seek-CAD: A Self-refined Generative Modeling for 3D Parametric CAD Using Local Inference via DeepSeekcited by 24
- 2025GraphCodeAgent: Dual Graph-Guided LLM Agent for Retrieval-Augmented Repo-Level Code Generationcited by 17
- 2026Towards High-Fidelity CAD Generation via LLM-Driven Program Generation and Text-Based B-Rep Primitive Groundingcited by 7
- 2025HistCAD: Constraint-Aware Parametric CAD Histories for Evaluating Editabilitycited by 5
- 2025CADDesigner: Conceptual CAD Model Generation with a General-Purpose Agentcited by 4
Built on by
Citing papers per year: 2026: 2.
2 papers.
Similar, not cited
Close in wording, no citation either way
- 2026Zero-to-CAD: Agentic Synthesis of Interpretable CAD Programs at Million-Scale Without Real Data
- 2026CADSmith: Multi-Agent CAD Generation with Programmatic Geometric Validation
- 2026CADFS: A Big CAD Program Dataset and Framework for Computer-Aided Design with Large Language Models
- 2026Pointer-CAD: Unifying B-Rep and Command Sequences via Pointer-based Edges & Faces Selection
- 2026CADWorld: Computer-Use Benchmark for Long-Horizon Computer-Aided Design
- 2026PR-CAD: Progressive Refinement for Unified Controllable and Faithful Text-to-CAD Generation with Large Language Models
- 2026Text-to-CAD Retrieval: a Strong Baseline
- 2026LLM4CAD-Editor: An Intent-Aware Large Language Model Framework for Multi-Level Computer-Aided Design Editing ↗