Features

A comprehensive engineering platform — from concept to manufactured part, powered by AI.

AI Chat & Code Generation

Describe your part in plain English and HelioCad's AI generates CAD code, executes it, and renders a fully parametric 3D model. Iterate with follow-up messages to refine your design.

  • Natural language to CAD code
  • Context-aware follow-up refinements
  • Voice input with real-time transcription
  • Code preview and manual editing
Heliocad AI

Describe what you want to make.

Try: "Make a 2 inch box"

Or select geometry and describe changes

Paste or drop images & 3D files

Create an L-bracket 160 × 180 mm with four 13 mm bolt holes, 8 mm thick, with 2 mm interior fillets.
Thinking…

Building an L-bracket — 160 × 180 mm base, 8 mm thick, with four 13 mm holes and 2 mm fillets.

result = (
Workplane("XY")
.rect(160, 180)
.extrude(8)
.faces(">Z").workplane()
.rect(120, 140, forConstruction=True)
.vertices().hole(13)
.edges("|Z").fillet(2)
)
Reply...
HELIO 1.5
No bodies — awaiting code execution
FRONTRIGHTTOP
L-Bracket · 1 body

Sketch & Constraint Solver

A full constraint-based 2D sketcher with automatic constraint detection, a robust geometric solver, and precision dimensioning.

  • Lines, arcs, circles, ellipses, splines, conics
  • Geometric constraints: coincident, tangent, parallel, perpendicular, equal, symmetric
  • Dimensional constraints with inline editing
  • Automatic snap and constraint inference
  • Sketch on any planar face or reference plane

3D Modeling Operations

Industry-standard modeling operations with real-time preview and parametric history.

  • Extrude, revolve, sweep, loft
  • Fillet, chamfer, shell, draft
  • Boolean: union, subtract, intersect
  • Linear and circular patterns
  • Push/pull direct editing
  • Full parametric feature timeline

FEA Simulation

Built-in finite element analysis lets you validate designs without leaving the platform. Static stress, thermal, and modal analysis with interactive stress overlays.

  • Static stress analysis with von Mises overlay
  • Thermal analysis with temperature gradients
  • Modal analysis for natural frequencies
  • Boundary conditions: fixed, force, pressure, displacement
  • Real-time color-mapped visualization
  • Adjustable mesh density
Simulate·Static Stress·Steel AISI 1018
Solver ready
› Loading geometry…› Applying boundary conditions› Generating mesh — 1,842 elements› Solving — direct sparse✓ Solution converged · 4 iterations · 1.8 s
YXZ
FRONTRIGHTTOP
FIXEDF = 500 NMAX σ_vm142 MPaSF = 1.8PASS
142
0MPa
VON MISESTHERMALMODAL
Mesh: 1.5 mm|Run ▸

CAM Toolpaths

Generate CNC toolpaths for 2.5D and 3-axis milling, turning, and drilling. Export G-code for any machine.

  • Face, contour, and pocket operations
  • Drilling cycles
  • Tool library management
  • Feed/speed recommendations
  • G-code export and preview
HelioCadL-Bracket.heliocad
Team PlanUnlimited AIinfo@williamabbe.com
ModelSheet MetalHIDDENAssemblySimulateBETAManufactureDrawingRenderBETACustomize
SETUPStock|OPERATIONSFacePocketContourDrillAdaptive|TOOLS3-Axis Mill ▾
▼⚙Setup1
•Stock: 200×180×10
•WCS: G54
•Origin: Top-Left
▼Tools
◯6mm Flat
●3mm Ball
◯4mm Drill
◯10mm Flat
▼Operations
No operations
Face001
Contour001
Drill001 (×4)
FRONTRIGHTTOP
stock
G-code Preview
›
Click Generate to postOutput appears here
Generating toolpaths…
(HelioCad CAM v1.0)
(Stock 200x180x10 6061)
(T1 6mm Flat End Mill)
G21 G90 G94
T1 M6
S12000 M3
G0 X0 Y0 Z5
G1 Z-2 F300
G1 X160 F800
G1 Y10
G1 X0
G0 Z25
M30
Export G-code
✓Saved
3 ops · 1,234 lines · Est. 12m 30sMM|IN

Laser Engraving & Cutting

Design cut and engrave jobs in the same workspace as your 3D model. Pick a face on your part, import an SVG/DXF, or drop in an image — then send it to your laser with the right format for your controller.

  • Vector cutting and line engraving
  • Raster image engraving with Floyd-Steinberg, Jarvis, and ordered dithering
  • Pick a face on your 3D model, or import SVG, DXF, or images
  • GRBL G-code, Ruida, EzCad, and LightBurn-compatible export
  • Material presets for plywood, MDF, acrylic, leather, and metal marking
  • Multi-pass cuts with kerf compensation and air-assist control
  • Frame preview to align your job before firing the laser
HelioCadCoaster.heliocad
40 W CO2 · GRBL
ModelAssemblySimulateManufactureLaserDrawingRender
SETUPMachine|LAYERSCutEngraveRasterPick FaceSVG · DXF · ImageGRBL ▾
Layers
OutlineCUT
80%·600 mm/min
Star inlayENG
25%·2500 mm/min
Material
Plywood 3 mm●
(0, 0)
400 × 400 mm
G-code Output
›
Est. 4m 12s · 1,840 mm
; HelioCad — GRBL laser job
; controller: grbl  bed: 400x400
G21
G90
M5 S0
; --- layer: Outline (cut) ---
M8
G0 X120.00 Y100.00
M3 S800
G1 X140.00 Y80.00 F600
G1 X260.00 Y80.00 F600
G1 X280.00 Y100.00 F600
M5 S0
; --- layer: Star inlay (engrave-line) ---
G0 X200.00 Y110.00
M3 S250
G1 X215.00 Y160.00 F2500
M5 S0
M2
Download .gcode
✓Saved
2 layers · Plywood 3 mm · GRBLMM|IN

Assembly

Bring parts together with assembly mates, motion studies, and interference detection.

  • Mate constraints: coincident, concentric, parallel, distance, angle
  • Interference and collision detection
  • Bill of materials generation
  • Exploded views
Assembly Workspace
◇Exploded view
⊙Applying mate constraints
⚠Interference detected
≡Bill of materials
XYZ
⊙Concentric⊙Concentric⫽Coincident∥ParallelM6 × 25 BoltL-Bracket 6061-T6M6 Hex Nut⚠ Clash detectedBolt-1 ↔ Bracket: 0.42 mm
BOMREV A
#PartQty
1L-Bracket1
2M6 × 25 Bolt2
3M6 Hex Nut2
Total5

Technical Drawing

Auto-generate 2D technical drawings from your 3D models with standard views, dimensions, and annotations.

  • Standard orthographic views
  • Section and detail views
  • Automatic dimensioning
  • GD&T annotations
  • PDF and DXF export
HelioCadL-Bracket.heliocad
Team PlanUnlimited AIinfo@williamabbe.com
ModelSheet MetalHIDDENAssemblySimulateBETAManufactureDrawingRenderBETACustomize
VIEWSGenerateSectionDetailProjectedAuxiliary|ANNOTATEDimAuto DimGD&TNote1:2 ▾|A3 ▾|↓ PDF↓ DXF
3D model — click Generate to project drawing views
FRONT
AA60.0030.00⌀5.00
TOP
40.0040.00⊕⌀0.1AB
RIGHT
10.00A⊥0.05A
SECTION A-A
TITLEL-Bracket
DRAWN BYbill@heliocad.com
DATE2026-04-30
SCALE1:2
SHEETA3 · Rev A
✓PDF exportedL-Bracket-Rev-A.pdf
✓Saved
A3 · 1:2 · 4 views · 100%PDF|DXF

Import & Export

Interoperate with every major CAD format and 3D printing workflow.

  • Import: STEP, IGES, BREP, STL, OBJ
  • Export: STEP, IGES, STL, OBJ, GLTF, 3MF
  • DXF for 2D
  • G-code for CNC
HelioCadL-Bracket.heliocad
Team PlanUnlimited AIinfo@williamabbe.com
ModelSheet MetalHIDDENAssemblySimulateBETAManufactureDrawingRenderBETACustomize
FILE↓ Import↑ ExportRecent|FORMATSSTEP · IGES · BREP · STL · OBJ · GLTF · 3MF · DXFMM|IN
Source
↓
Drop file or clickSTEP · IGES · BREPSTL · OBJ
STEP✓
L-Bracket.step
1.24 MB
Parsing geometry…
STEP AP242
1 body · 14 faces
26 edges
FRONTRIGHTTOP
XYZ
✓2 files exported· 132.4 KB total
Export
↑
3D Models
STEPsolid
IGESsolid
STLmesh
OBJmesh
GLTFweb
3MF3D print
2D Drawing
DXF2D vectors
Queue2 jobs
STLL-Bracket.stl✓
mesh · binary124 KB
DXFL-Bracket.dxf✓
2D · ASCII8.4 KB
✓1 body imported
Imported 1.24 MB · Exported 2 × 132.4 KBMM|IN

Measure & Mass Properties

Precision measurement tools and automatic mass property calculations.

  • Point-to-point, edge, and face distance
  • Angle measurement
  • Center of gravity visualization
  • Volume, surface area, moments of inertia
  • Material density settings
HelioCadMounting-Plate.heliocad
Team PlanUnlimited AIinfo@williamabbe.com
ModelSheet MetalHIDDENAssemblySimulateBETAManufactureDrawingRenderBETACustomize
INSPECTPoint-to-PointEdgeAngle|ANALYZECenter of GravityMass PropertiesMM|IN
FRONTRIGHTTOP
↔ 72.80 mm⟼ 60.00 mm∠ 90.00°⊕ Center of GravityX: 30.0 Y: 20.0Z: 5.0 (mm)XYZ
Mass Properties
›
Select a body to computemass and inertia properties
Material▾
Aluminum 6061Steel 1045
ρ =2.70 g/cm³7.85 g/cm³
Volume23,200 mm³
Surface area7,300 mm²
Mass (g)62.64182.12
Center of mass
X 30.0Y 20.0Z 5.0
Moments of inertia
Ixx8,876Iyy19,314Izz27,668
Bounding box
60 × 40 × 10 mm
✓1 body selected
Vol 23.2 cm³ · SA 7,300 mm² · m 62.64 gMM|IN

Section Views & Visual Tools

Inspect interiors with dynamic section planes, transparency modes, and appearance controls.

  • Interactive section plane with drag handles
  • Section cap rendering
  • Per-body color and transparency
  • Reference geometry display: planes, axes, points
  • Named selections for quick access
HelioCadMounting-Plate.heliocad
Team PlanUnlimited AIinfo@williamabbe.com
ModelSheet MetalHIDDENAssemblySimulateBETAManufactureDrawingRenderBETACustomize
VIEWPlanesAxesPointsSection Plane|APPEARANCEColorTransparency|SELECTNamedMM|IN
FRONTRIGHTTOP
XYXZYZXZYOriginP1P2P3+Z⟂ XY · Z = 5.00 mm
Browser3 items
▼⚙Bodies
Mounting Plate
▼⊕Reference
3 Planes
Origin
3 Points
Section● active
PlaneXY ▾
Offset5.00 mm
Cap✓ shaded
Appearance
Color
Transp.
0%50%
Named Selections4
★Top Face1 face
★Mounting Holes4 holes
★Bolt Pattern4 edges
★Front Edge1 edge
✓1 body · 1 selection
Section XY @ 5.00 mm · Body 50% transpMM|IN