How to Use SelfCAD AI Features to Turn Text Prompts to 3D Models

SelfCAD's AI Assistant allows you to generate 3D models by describing what you want to create in a text prompt. Instead of manually building a model from individual shapes and tools, you can describe the desired object and let AI generate the initial 3D model for you.

The AI Assistant provides different Model Creation Modes, each designed for a specific type of 3D modeling workflow. Depending on the mode you select, additional options may also be available to control how the model is generated.

Note: The AI features are experimental and are updated regularly as SelfCAD continues to improve them. Users are encouraged to test the features and provide feedback.

Access SelfCAD AI Features

To access SelfCAD's AI modeling tools:

1. Open SelfCAD and enter the 3D modeling workspace.
2. Locate AI Modeling Feature in the toolbar.

3. Click AI Modeling Feature, and the AI Assistant window will open.

You will have an option to select the model creation mode. Write a description of the model, then generate the model.

The AI Assistant contains a Model Creation Mode selector with three options:

• Functional Assembly
• Organic Model
• Profile

Each mode is designed for a different type of model.

Functional Assembly

Functional Assembly is designed for product and functional designs. It generates editable models using standard CAD tools and part-based logic. This mode is suitable when your model consists of clearly defined components or parts that need to work together. Examples include:

• Phone holders
• Brackets
• Enclosures
• Mechanical components
• Tools
• Product prototypes
• Furniture
• Mounting systems
• Functional household objects

For example, you could enter a prompt such as:

"Create a 3D-printable rectangular table with a flat tabletop, four sturdy legs, rounded corners, and clean minimalist geometry. Make it stable, functional, and easy to 3D print."

 

Review and Refine the AI's Suggestions

Before generating the individual parts, review the modeling plan proposed by the AI. The AI may suggest the main components, their dimensions, geometry, and how they should work together.

Instead of waiting until the parts have been generated to make changes, you can review the proposed design and suggest updates at this stage.

For example, if the AI proposes a table with four legs and cross supports, you could ask it to:

• Change the dimensions of the tabletop
• Increase or decrease the leg thickness
• Remove unnecessary components
• Add missing components
• Change the position of a component
• Adjust how parts connect

The AI can then update its suggestions before you proceed with generation.

Tip: Reviewing and refining the AI's suggestions early can help reduce unnecessary generation and modification costs, while giving you greater control over the final design.

Then continue with:

Once you're satisfied with the proposed elements, select the components you want to generate and click Generate Elements.

Generate the Selected Elements

After reviewing the proposed elements, select the components you want to include by using the checkboxes beside each element. Once you have made your selection, click Generate Elements in the Assistant panel.

During this process, the interface changes to show the generation status for each element.

Element Generation Status

As each element finishes processing, its status changes from Creating to Ready. 

Elements marked Ready can then be Assembled.

You can also expand on each element and see the details, as shown below.

The software will use a Polygonal approach to generate Four legs of the table, and the dimensions are also provided.

When the elements are ready, click Assemble Model.

3D Previewing the Generation

Once SelfCAD AI features assembles the parts, you will see an option to Preview the generation.

Once you click it, you will see the generated 3D model.

Finally, click Add To Scene to finalize the model and add it to your design catalog.

The model will appear in your projects.

You can continue modifying the model in SelfCAD workspace as per your needs.

Summary of the Functional Assembly

"Choose the mode → Describe the Object → Click Generate → AI Creates 3D Previews → Review Elements as They Become Ready → Assemble Model→ Preview Assembly →Add Design to Scene"

Tips for Functional Assembly prompts

For better results, include details such as:

• The overall purpose of the object
• The individual parts
• Approximate dimensions
• The shape of each component
• The location of holes, slots, or openings
• How the parts should connect
• The intended orientation of the model

For example, instead of:

"Create a phone holder."

Use:

"Create a wall-mounted phone holder with a 100 mm wide rectangular mounting, two vertically aligned screw holes, and a curved support extending outward from the bottom of the plate to hold a smartphone at a 15-degree angle."

The second prompt provides significantly more information about the intended design.

2. Organic Model

Select Organic Model when creating fluid, artistic, or naturally shaped objects. This mode is designed for fluid, artistic shapes and generates a single, high-detail solid mesh.

Organic Model is suitable for objects such as:

• Animals
• Characters
• Sculptures
• Fantasy creatures
• Decorative objects
• Plants
• Natural forms
• Artistic models
• Other objects with complex curved surfaces

Select a Generation Method

When you select Organic Model, two additional options appear:

• Voxel
• Point Cloud

Choose the option you want to use before generating the model.

Voxel

The Voxel option uses a voxel-based approach for generating the organic model.

This can be considered when creating models with complex three-dimensional forms where the overall volume and shape are more important than constructing the object from conventional CAD components.

Point Cloud

The Point Cloud option generates the model using a point-cloud-based approach. This approach is useful for creating complex organic forms represented through collections of spatial points that define the object's surface and volume.

Creating an Organic Model

After selecting Organic Model and choosing either Voxel or Point Cloud:

1. Click inside the prompt field.
2. Describe the object you want to create.
3. Include details about its shape, proportions, features, and appearance.
4. Review the description.
5. Click the arrow on the right side of the prompt field to generate the model.

For example:

"Create a detailed fantasy dragon with four legs, large wings, curved horns, scales covering its body, sharp claws, and a long curled tail."

The design below will be generated.

You can modify the model further 

After you are comfortable with the generated model, click Add to Scene.

 

For organic models, focus your prompt on the overall form, proportions, surface details, and distinctive characteristics of the object.

3. Profile

Select Profile when creating a model based on a specific profile or outline.

This mode is particularly useful when the defining characteristic of the object is its two-dimensional shape or profile, which can then be used as the basis for the 3D model.

Examples include:

• Decorative plaques
• Signs
• Badges
• Emblems
• Silhouette-based designs
• Decorative wall pieces
• Custom-shaped objects

For example:

"Create a decorative wall plaque with a shield-shaped profile, a 5 mm thickness, and the word "HOME" centered on the front."

The design below will be generated.

Just like the rest, click Add to Scene once everything is good.

When using Profile mode, describe the shape of the profile clearly and include any additional details that should appear in the final model.

4. Understanding the Description of the Model

After selecting the appropriate Model Creation Mode, enter your description in the field labeled:

"Describe the object you want to create..."

The prompt field supports up to 1,000 characters.

The quality of the generated model depends heavily on how clearly you describe the object. SelfCAD recommends providing a detailed description because more detailed descriptions generally produce better results.

Include the following information when possible:

- Object type: Explain exactly what you want to create.

Create a desktop headphone stand.

- Shape and form: Describe the basic geometry and appearance.

The stand should have a curved vertical support and a wide rectangular base.

- Dimensions: Provide measurements when they are important.

Make the base 120 mm wide and 80 mm deep.

- Components: Describe the different parts of the model.

Include a circular holder at the top and two reinforcing supports.

- Features: Mention important details such as holes, slots, grooves, handles, or mounting points.

Add two countersunk screw holes to the base.

- Position and orientation: Explain how the components should be positioned.

Center the support on the base and angle the headphone holder slightly forward.

- Appearance or style: For organic models, describe the desired visual characteristics.

Give the model a smooth, rounded appearance with subtle surface details.

5. Use a Reference Image

The AI Assistant also includes a paperclip icon next to the prompt field.

This allows you to attach a reference image where supported by the AI workflow.

A reference image can provide additional visual information about the object you want to create. When using an image, describe the important characteristics you want SelfCAD AI to reproduce or use as inspiration.

For example:

"Create a 3D model based on the attached image. Keep the overall proportions and curved shape, but simplify the surface details for 3D printing."

After uploading the image of a heart and adding the description, the AI feature will generate different parts of the model.

After generating and clicking Generate, different parts of the model will be generated. You can add them individually to the workspace by clicking each of them.

After previewing each of them, you can check the model boxes, then click Assemble Model then preview the entire design.

When using a reference image, it is helpful to explain what aspects of the image matter most, rather than relying entirely on the image.

6. Choosing the Right Creation Mode

Choosing the correct mode before generating the model can help you get a result that better matches your intended workflow.

Creation Mode	Best For	Example
Functional Assembly	Functional and product designs made from individual components	Phone holder, bracket, enclosure
Organic Model	Fluid, artistic, and naturally shaped objects	Animal, character, sculpture
Profile	Models based on a defined profile or outline	Sign, plaque, decorative badge

 

For Organic Model, you can further choose between:

 

Organic Option	Generation Approach
Voxel	Voxel-based generation
Point Cloud	Point-cloud-based generation

7. Writing Better AI Prompts

The AI Assistant works from the information provided in your prompt, so avoid using descriptions that are too short or vague.

Basic prompt

"Create a chair."

This provides very little information about the desired result.

More detailed prompt

"Create a modern dining chair with four straight legs, a rectangular seat, a slightly curved backrest, and two horizontal supports between the rear legs. Make the design simple and suitable for 3D printing."

The second prompt provides information about the type, structure, components, shape, and intended use of the model.

A useful prompt structure

You can structure your prompts like this:

"Create a [type of object] with [main shape/components]. Make it [dimensions/proportions]. Include [important features]. Arrange [components] [position/orientation]. Use a [style/appearance] design."

This gives the AI enough information to understand the intended model while keeping the prompt focused.

8. Functional vs. Organic Models vs Profile

The most important distinction to remember is the type of geometry you want to create.

Use Functional Assembly when:

• The model has multiple clearly defined parts.
• Dimensions and mechanical relationships are important.
• You need a product-oriented design.
• The model contains features such as holes, brackets, slots, or mounting points.
• You want an editable CAD-style model.

Use Organic Model when:

• The object has complex curves.
• The model has a sculptural appearance.
• The object resembles a character, animal, or natural form.
• You need a single high-detail solid mesh.
• The overall shape is more important than individual CAD components.

Use Profile when:

• The object's outline is its defining feature.
• You are creating a sign, plaque, badge, or similar design.
• The model can be described primarily through its profile or silhouette.

9. Review and Refine the Generated Model

AI-generated models should be treated as a starting point rather than assuming the first result will always be exactly what you intended.

After generation:

1. Inspect the overall shape.
2. Check whether the major components are present.
3. Verify important dimensions where applicable.
4. Look for missing or incorrectly positioned features.
5. Check whether the model matches the description.
6. Make any necessary adjustments using SelfCAD's modeling tools.

If the generated result does not match your intention, try improving the prompt by adding specific dimensions, component descriptions, positional information, or other missing details.

How Credits Work in SelfCAD AI Features

 

SelfCAD AI features use a credit-based system, where credits are consumed based on the amount of AI computation required for each action. The cost varies depending on the type and complexity of the design.

Credits cost $1 each, with a minimum purchase of 10 credits ($10). Users can purchase additional credits in increments of 1.

AI Feature	Typical Credit Usage
1. Assembly Designs	~5 credits for a typical 4-part project
2. Drafting an assembly parts list	~1 credit
3. Creating a part	~0.5 credit per part
4. Editing a part	~1 credit per modification
5. Assembling parts	~1 credit
6. Organic Modeling	~0.5 credit for base generation
7. Organic model edit	~1 credit per modification
8. Profile / SVG Design	~0.2 credit for base generation
9. Profile / SVG edit	~0.2 credit per modification

 

AI credits are not charged at a fixed rate for every generation. Usage is calculated dynamically based on the computation required by the specific task.

For example, a typical four-part assembly may use approximately 5 credits:

• Draft the parts list: ~1 credit
• Generate four parts: ~2 credits total
• Make modifications: ~1 credit per modification
• Assemble the parts: ~1 credit

The actual cost can be higher or lower depending on the complexity of the prompts and the actions performed.

All AI activity is tracked in real time, and users can view the individual actions and their credit usage in their Usage Logs.

For more details on SelfCAD AI Features Credits, visit Buy AI Credits Page.