An open-source, real-time parametric generative CAD studio for functional 3D-printable models. Designed for high-performance digital fabrication, additive manufacturing, and support-free toolpathing.
3AID is an advanced open-source parametric configurator and generative design portal tailored for additive manufacturing (3D printing). By uniting mathematical geometry generation, real-time solid manifold solving, and an embedded closed-loop Print-Safe CAD Optimizer, 3AID allows designers, engineers, and makers to generate functional, print-ready, high-fidelity digital models with 0.0% support structure requirements.
Rather than relying on post-process slicing analysis or mesh repair tools, 3AID implements correct-by-construction geometry generation. It ensures every exported file is mathematically watertight, solid-manifold, and perfectly optimized for standard FDM, SLA, or casting processes right out of the box.
We warmly welcome contributions from the community to push the boundaries of procedural design, generative aesthetics, and digital fabrication algorithms!
graph TD
A[User UI Configurator] -->|Parametric Inputs| B[Procedural Geometry Engines]
B -->|Vase / Lamp / Ring| C[Watertight Manifold Solver]
C -->|Real-time Vertices / Indices| D[Closed-Loop Print-Safe Optimizer]
D -->|Overhang & Stable Pedestal Flare| E[Three.js PBR Studio Viewport]
E -->|Geometry Buffer| F[Debounced STL Checker Engine]
F -->|Diagnostics & Watertight Status| A
E -->|Export Blob| G[STL Binary Exporter]
- Homeware (Wave Vases): Swept vector profile curves (classic, flare, hourglass, modern) combined with helical twists, dynamic radial sizing, and structural cutout lattices.
- Lighting (Accordion Lamp Shades): Dynamic accordion pleating, bridged slot cutout bands, and custom internal point-lights projecting procedural shadows in the viewport.
- Jewelry (Princess Rings): Custom torus band sweep profiles (domed, flat, comfort, wavy, faceted), gemstone prong claws, and casting detail guards.
Based on contemporary additive manufacturing literature, the optimizer inspects and adapts coordinates dynamically during the generation phase:
-
45° Overhang Slope Filter: Restricts the rate of change of radii along the vertical sweep:
$$\left| R(y) - R(y - dy) \right| \le dy \cdot 0.90$$ This locks the overhang angle under$42^\circ$ , ensuring flawless support-free FDM/SLA printing. -
Stability Pedestal Brim: Automatically detects unstable tall prints (aspect ratio
$R_{base} / H < 0.25$ ) and blends a flared foot pedestal into the bottom 12% of the height:$$R_{\text{optimized}}(y) = R(y) + (0.25 \cdot H - R_{base}) \cdot \left(1.0 - \frac{y}{0.12 \cdot H}\right)^2$$ -
Wall Thickness Nozzle Clamping: Clamps wall thickness to a minimum of
$1.2$ mm and rounds to exact multiples of a$0.4$ mm nozzle, ensuring clean, solid toolpaths without internal voids.
- Asynchronous Watertight Solver: Uses a debounced boundary edge detector (120ms) to check for non-manifold edges, invalid normals, and open boundaries at a smooth 60 FPS.
-
Volume & Weight Translations: Computes precise model volume in
$\text{mm}^3$ and automatically calculates the active metal weight for Yellow Gold 18K, Rose Gold 18K, and Platinum 950.
To resolve non-manifold splits and overlapping faces, 3AID implements explicit cross-section segment allocation and periodic seamless textures:
| ❌ Mismatched Seams & Face Overlaps (Before Fix) | Manifold Watertight Band (After Fix) |
|---|---|
 |
 |
Allows the user to scale detail density depending on viewport requirements:
- Draft (Fast): Highly fluid, low-polygon layout for fast exploratory drags.
- Standard (Balanced): The optimal default balance of detail and speed.
- High / Ultra (Print-Ready): Maximizes grid subdivisions (up to 144 radial and 160 height segments) to completely eliminate polygonal stepping and export perfectly smooth, watertight surfaces.
- Core: HTML5, TypeScript, ES6 Modules.
- 3D Rendering Engine: Three.js (WebGL PBR Specular-Glossiness workflow).
- Frontend Framework: React 18, Vite.
- Styling: Vanilla glassmorphism CSS, Lucide icons.
- Build Tooling: Vite for fast hot module replacement (HMR), TypeScript compiler (
tsc).
Make sure you have Node.js (v16+) installed.
- Clone the repository:
git clone https://github.com/3esign/3AID.git cd 3AID - Install dependencies:
npm install
- Start the local development server with HMR:
npm run dev
- Build the optimized production bundle:
npm run build
3AID is built on the belief that generative, mathematically-defined CAD is the future of additive manufacturing and digital fabrication. By generating meshes directly from parametric equations, we bypass the heavy file sizes, non-manifold errors, and design limitations of traditional CSG CAD editors.
We welcome contributions of all forms:
- New Parametric Categories: Adding procedural templates (e.g. customized planters, gear boxes, textures).
- Advanced Geometric Solvers: Implementing gyroid infills, organic generative branching, or stress-analysis solvers.
- UX/UI Enhancements: Adding advanced viewport analysis overlays, slicing previews, or interactive shader grids.
Please fork the repository, create a descriptive branch, and submit your pull request!
This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details. Let's push digital fabrication forward, together! 🌐