Question 1

How accurate are the generated 3D models?

Accepted Answer

AI CAD reconstructs your part from drawings or photos and gives you candidates to inspect. Results vary with the quality and completeness of your input, and features may be missing or inferred. Automated quality checks do not replace dimensional verification by a design engineer. Review the dimensions and assumptions before using a model for production. Choose Engineer Checked to have an engineer check the AI CAD result against your drawing, or Engineer Built for an engineer-built, dimensionally verified parametric model.

Question 2

Do I get a CAD model with a feature tree, or just a "dumb solid"? And can I actually work with a dumb solid?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your service level, and with AI CAD you often get both. AI CAD gives you several STEP candidates to choose from. They are optimized for geometric accuracy and come as solid bodies without design history. Where the part allows it, you also get a candidate with a feature tree built by the AI, delivered as an Onshape document. A native feature tree provides an editable starting point; a STEP download alone does not include that history. If you need a clean, fully parametric model, choose Engineer Built: an engineer rebuilds your part with a complete feature tree. A solid without history is still a fully usable working model. Every major CAD system edits these bodies through direct modeling: Siemens NX and Solid Edge (Synchronous Technology) PTC Creo (Flexible Modeling) SOLIDWORKS (Direct Editing) You can change dimensions, move faces, adjust holes and create drawings. For CAM, simulation, spare-part production and quoting, you don't need a feature tree at all. Are you planning variant families or long-term development of the part? Then a parametric model pays off, and you can upgrade any part to Engineer Built later.

Question 3

How do AI Preview, AI CAD, Engineer Checked and Engineer Built differ?

Accepted Answer

AI Preview gives you a single STL model for a quick visual assessment. AI CAD gives you CAD reconstruction candidates to inspect and download; depending on your part, an AI-built Onshape feature-tree candidate may also be available. Engineer Checked includes AI CAD and an engineer check against your drawing. You can book it upfront or upgrade a delivered AI CAD result. Engineer Built means an engineer rebuilds your part as dimensionally verified parametric CAD with a feature tree, delivered in your chosen supported CAD format, with the native format included. Engineer Built typically takes 1 to 3 business days. Service availability and the price for your part are shown before you confirm.

Question 4

Can I try it without a credit card?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your first AI CAD model is free, no credit card required. After that, a short profile unlocks 150 free credits, or you can buy credits when you need them. The number of parts you can convert depends on the service and each part's complexity. You see the credit price before you start; included downloads do not cost extra.

Question 5

What happens to my drawings and IP?

Accepted Answer

Your files stay yours. Within Voluminate, they are only accessible to your account and, where you explicitly request Engineer Checked or Engineer Built, to the engineers working on your part. 3D Spark development or Customer Success staff may access files on a strict need-to-know basis for customer support, debugging, or app improvements. You can request deletion at any time via support@3dspark.de, and full details are in our Privacy Policy. Voluminate is a self-service beta, built for speed and easy access rather than for regulated enterprise deployment. Our core 3D Spark platform, however, already operates in exactly that world: it holds independent ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification (see our Trust page) and can be deployed on-premises and in private cloud environments. Enterprise customers from regulated markets like DB, Alstom, and ÖBB are amongst the customers. If you're evaluating Voluminate for use at an enterprise or in a regulated market, we know these requirements well and would welcome the conversation: contact info@3dspark.de or book a demo to talk through an integration and compliance plan for your specific needs.

Question 6

What input files can I upload, and what do I get back?

Accepted Answer

You can upload technical drawings, photos and supported 2D CAD files; the upload screen shows the accepted formats and limits. Combine several sources of the same physical part, such as a drawing and photos, into one part set. AI Preview provides one STL. AI CAD provides CAD reconstruction candidates and the supported downloads shown on your part page. Engineer Checked adds an engineer check against your drawing. Engineer Built delivers engineer-built parametric CAD in your chosen supported format, including the native format.

Question 7

Which input drawing and image formats does Voluminate support?

Accepted Answer

Account upload and the API accept PDF, DWG, DXF, SVG, PNG, JPG/JPEG, WEBP and single-page TIFF/TIF. TIFF is prepared automatically for conversion and the original is retained. Export multi-page TIFF as PDF or separate PNG images. The homepage pre-signup check accepts TIFF/TIF but not SVG. DWG and DXF must each be uploaded alone; they cannot be combined with other files or added to an existing part. The conversion selector prepares BMP as PNG before its file check; BMP is not a direct account/API input. DWF, DGN, HPGL, HEIC and native CATDrawing, SLDDRW, DRW, IDW and DFT drawings are not enabled for direct self-service upload: export them as a supported PDF or image first, or confirm source requirements with our engineers. See the full input-format tables and availability.

Question 8

Can I convert PDF, DWG or DXF drawings to STEP and other CAD formats?

Accepted Answer

Yes: PDF to STEP, DWG to STEP and DXF to STEP are 2D-to-3D reconstruction workflows, not simple file translations. AI Preview provides one STL mesh. AI CAD provides available STEP/B-Rep candidates and may include an AI-built Onshape feature-tree candidate where possible. Additional exports such as IGES, Parasolid, ACIS, Rhino, JT, OBJ, 3MF, glTF, GLB and PVZ depend on the delivered candidate. Engineer Checked adds an engineer check of the AI CAD result; Engineer Built is a parametric rebuild with a feature tree in an agreed supported format. The 29-output-format catalogue distinguishes current downloads from formats that are not enabled for self-service export.

Question 9

Can Voluminate reconstruct 3D CAD from scans or old blueprints?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Legible PDF, PNG or JPG/JPEG scans of technical drawings and blueprints can be used to reconstruct 3D CAD. Single-page TIFF/TIF can be uploaded directly in your account or through the API and is prepared automatically. Export multi-page TIFF as PDF or separate PNG images. Include dimensions, multiple views and a clear part brief where available; missing geometry may be inferred or unresolved. Automated QA helps you inspect these assumptions but does not replace dimensional verification. Choose Engineer Checked for an engineer check or Engineer Built for a dimensionally verified parametric rebuild. See scan guidance, formats and service levels.

Question 10

When exactly am I charged a credit?

Accepted Answer

The price depends on the selected service and your part's analysed complexity, and is shown before you confirm. AI Preview, AI CAD and upfront Engineer Checked are charged when the conversion starts, after the processing job is accepted. Downloads of the included results do not incur a separate acceptance charge. Engineer Built reserves the quoted credits when you order and settles them on delivery. Upgrades account for what your part has already paid, so you pay the difference shown in the quote. Additional engineering charges require your explicit approval. If an Engineer Built order is declined, or you decline additional engineering charges, its reservation is released and any refundable charge is returned. Engineer Checked is refunded if the engineer dismisses the check. An AI conversion without a deliverable is not automatically refunded; our team follows up through manual fulfillment.

Question 11

How long does a conversion take?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the input and how many candidates need to be generated, usually under 45 minutes; complex parts can take up to an hour, occasionally up to 90 minutes. Engineer Built, since it involves engineering review, typically takes 1 to 3 business days.

Question 12

Can I estimate manufacturing cost and CO₂ from the result?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Where available, each result includes estimated cost, CO₂ footprint, and technical suitability across manufacturing processes and materials, for orientation. From there, you can continue the workflow directly in the 3D Spark platform using your newly generated 3D models: manufacturability checking, costing, ROM quoting, precise binding quotes, should-costing for procurement, make-or-buy decision support, part screening for AM part identification, and more. For more information, visit 3dspark.de or book a demo.

Question 13

Can I get the model manufactured afterwards?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can transfer your downloaded file to the separate 3D Spark manufacturing platform for a full cost, process, and supplier analysis. This is a manual hand-off for now: you download the file yourself and open the platform in a new tab; Voluminate does not transmit anything there automatically as of now. Once in the 3D Spark platform, you can use one-click forwarding of your RFQ (request for quote) directly to manufacturing service providers (MSPs). Depending on customer demand, we may make the hand-off itself seamless in the future, so you no longer need to download and re-upload manually. If that's something you'd find valuable, let us know via the feedback button; it helps us prioritize what we build next.

Question 14

Is there a limit to how many parts I can work on at once?

Accepted Answer

Yes, based on your plan tier. This exists so every part actually gets reviewed and resolved before the next one starts, rather than piling up unattended. Accepting or rejecting a part frees up your next slot.

Question 15

Do you support teams and larger volumes?

Accepted Answer

Credit packs and subscriptions cover everyday use. For backlog digitization programs, spare-part catalogues with hundreds or thousands of drawings or photos, or entire teams working together, contact us at info@3dspark.de or book a meeting, and we'll scope a volume plan and custom setup with you.

Question 16

Is this still Beta, can I rely on it?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and we're upfront about it: Voluminate is in active beta, so expect some rough edges and a growing feature set. Your feedback directly shapes what we build next.

Turn drawings and photos into 3D models you can inspect.

What Voluminate does, in one minute

From source evidence to a 3D model you can inspect.

Start with the evidence

Compare 3D candidates

Verify, then download

Your source. Your CAD format.

See what Voluminate understood—and what still needs a decision.

Choose the strongest candidate

Inspect drawing and model together

Measure directly

Confirm every finding

Take the right next step

Start with AI. Add engineering where it matters.

AI Preview

AI CAD

Engineer Checked

Engineer Built

When the part exists, but its 3D model does not.

Drawings without CAD

Legacy spare parts

Reverse-engineering backlogs

What does modelling parts without CAD really cost you today?

Business Case & Profitability Analysis

Frequently asked questions

Enterprise control over hosting, AI providers and engineering-data processing.

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