Guide · Intermediate · AI Tools
AI-Powered Design Workflow: Idea to 3D Print (Without Inventing Holes)
AI accelerates drafting. Calipers and a named slicer profile decide whether the part fits. Tool stacks: CAD AI stack · Maker Prompt Pack · calipers. Workflow stages StageHuman jobAI job 1. MeasureCali…
Project template
- Goal & materials
- Steps / firmware
- Troubleshooting
- AI assist notes
- Related gear & books
Tool stacks: CAD AI stack · Maker Prompt Pack · calipers.
Workflow stages
| Stage | Human job | AI job |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Measure | Calipers, photos, constraints | None yet |
| 2. Prompt | Named parameters only | Draft OpenSCAD / steps + assumptions list |
| 3. CAD verify | Open, check walls/holes | Refactor on request |
| 4. Slice | Trusted profile | Failure triage from notes/photos |
| 5. Print & measure | Record deltas | Suggest next calibration tests |
Prompt pattern (abbreviated)
You are a parametric CAD assistant for FDM (0.4mm nozzle).
Constraints:
Deliver: OpenSCAD with named parameters, assumptions list, questions if missing data.
Do not invent standard part numbers or hole positions.
Anti-patterns
- “Make a bracket for my extruder” with zero numbers.
- Accepting STL from image-to-3D as load-bearing geometry.
- Changing slicer speed presets after calibrating flow, then blaming the model.
Export discipline
part-name/
cad/*.scad
exports/*.stl
slicer/*.3mf
NOTES.md # ambient, filament lot, measured deltas
Verdict
Use AI to draft; use metrology to decide. If you cannot list the measurements you used, you do not have a design process — you have a chat log.