TechDrawAI
CAD workflows · 2026

TechDraw AI
+ your CAD tool

TechDraw AI and your CAD software aren't competitors; they're two ends of one pipeline. TechDraw AI turns a photo or a sketch into a dimensioned DXF. Your modeller turns that DXF into a parametric 3D part. Pick your tool below for the exact handoff, click by click.

Updated June 2026·10 workflow guides
The handoff, in three steps
1. Photograph the part — Upload a photo and anchor one real measurement so the geometry is scaled to size.
2. Get a dimensioned DXF — TechDraw AI returns a clean, dimensioned drawing you can export as DXF, DWG, SVG or PDF.
3. Import into your CAD — Open the DXF as a sketch in your modeller, then extrude or revolve it into a parametric 3D part.

Choose your CAD software

Every guide is written for the real import flow and the real gotchas of that specific tool, not a one-size-fits-all walkthrough. Same starting point, a clean DXF from TechDraw AI; different second half.

Fusion 360 logoFusion 360

Insert the DXF into a Fusion sketch, then extrude or revolve it into a parametric model.

Open the Fusion 360guide →SolidWorks logoSolidWorks

Open the DXF with the DXF/DWG Import Wizard, then build a parametric SolidWorks model.

Open the SolidWorksguide →Onshape logoOnshape

Import the DXF, Use the curves in a Part Studio and model it in the browser.

Open the Onshapeguide →Shapr3D logoShapr3D

Import the DXF onto a sketch plane, then Push/Pull or revolve it on iPad or Mac.

Open the Shapr3Dguide →FreeCAD logoFreeCAD

Import the DXF in the Draft workbench, convert it to a sketch, then Pad or Revolve it — free.

Open the FreeCADguide →Autodesk Inventor logoAutodesk Inventor

Import the DXF into a sketch, extrude or revolve it, then drive a production drawing and BOM.

Open the Autodesk Inventorguide →SketchUp logoSketchUp

Import the DXF in SketchUp Pro, explode it to edges, then Push/Pull or Follow Me into a model.

Open the SketchUpguide →Tinkercad logoTinkercad

Export as SVG, import it into Tinkercad in the browser, and extrude it into a printable solid.

Open the Tinkercadguide →Blender logoBlender

Import the DXF or SVG as a curve, convert to mesh, then Solidify or Screw it — free.

Open the Blenderguide →Rhino logoRhino

Import the DXF as exact curves, Join them, then ExtrudeCrv or Revolve into NURBS surfaces.

Open the Rhinoguide →
Why a DXF

One clean DXF connects the two halves

The DXF is the seam between TechDraw AI and your CAD package. TechDraw AI exports it scaled to your measured reference, so the modeller reads real-size geometry, no guessing and no rescaling. If your part is flat, like a gasket, bracket or laser plate, the DXF is the production file and you can send it straight to the cutter.

Same starting point every time. Upload a photo, anchor one real measurement, and export the DXF. From there each CAD tool has its own import path, which is exactly what each guide below walks through, including the units, the sketch conversion and the closed-loop gotchas that trip people up.

Start at the part

Generate the dimensioned DXF in minutes, then take it into the CAD tool of your choice. No tracing, no blank canvas. Free to start, no account needed.

Convert an image to DXF