What Output Formats Does Text-to-CAD Generate? Complete File Type Reference

Text-to-CAD produces over ten distinct file types including STEP, GLB, STL, OBJ, DXF, URDF, SDF, and PNG, with each format exposed through dedicated CLI commands in the cadgen package.

The text-to-cad repository by earthtojake is an open-source Python framework that transforms natural language descriptions into manufacturable 3D assets. Mastering the text-to-cad output formats ensures seamless integration with CAD workflows, additive manufacturing pipelines, and robotics simulation environments.

Core CAD Exchange Formats

STEP and STP (ISO 10303)

The framework treats STEP (.step, .stp) as the canonical 3D CAD exchange format. According to the source code in tests/python/skills/gcode/test_gcode_tool.py, the system validates STEP file ingestion and conversion to mesh formats. The cadgen.cli.step_snapshot module provides a CLI wrapper that accepts .step or .stp inputs and produces derivative outputs.

GLB (Binary glTF)

GLB files serve as the web-ready mesh standard. The test suite confirms that STEP inputs convert to .glb via the snapshot CLI, enabling browser-based visualization without native CAD software.

Additive Manufacturing Mesh Formats

The DFAM (Design for Additive Manufacturing) skill suite supports triangulated meshes for 3D printing. As implemented in tests/python/skills/dfam-check/test_dfam_tool.py, the system handles:

• STL – the universal stereolithography format for FDM printing
• OBJ – Wavefront geometry with material library support
• PLY – Polygon File Format for colored meshes or point clouds
• 3MF – modern 3D Manufacturing Format replacing legacy STL

These formats are generated through the DFAM-check tool's validation pipeline, ensuring watertight geometry suitable for fabrication.

2D Drafting and Documentation

DXF (Drawing Exchange Format)

For technical drawings and laser-cutting workflows, text-to-cad emits DXF files. The validation logic in tests/python/skills/dxf/test_standalone_source.py confirms that DXF is a primary standalone output, not merely an intermediate format.

Robotics Simulation Standards

URDF and SDF

The system exports URDF (Unified Robot Description Format) and SDF (Simulation Description Format) for ROS and Gazebo integration. The GCode skill tests in tests/python/skills/gcode/test_gcode_tool.py demonstrate URDF generation alongside CAD files, allowing immediate import into robotics simulators.

Snapshot and Metadata Outputs

PNG Raster Images

The CLI tools cadgen.cli.step_snapshot and cadgen.cli.dxf_snapshot generate PNG thumbnails. These raster images provide visual previews of DXF drawings or GLB meshes without requiring dedicated 3D viewers.

JSON Sidecars

Metadata files (e.g., .step.json, .dxf.json) accompany primary CAD outputs. These sidecars contain inspection data, bounding boxes, and manufacturing constraints, implicitly referenced across the test suites for quality validation.

CLI Usage Examples

The cadgen package exposes format generation through autogenerated CLI commands.

Generate a web-ready mesh from STEP:

import cadgen.cli.step_snapshot as step_cli

# Converts my_model.step to my_model.glb

result = step_cli.main(["my_model.step"])

Export robotics descriptions and meshes simultaneously:

import cadgen.cli.gcode_tool as gcode

# Produces part.stl, part.glb, and associated URDF

gcode.main(["--out", "part.stl", "--out", "part.glb", "source.py"])

Command-line equivalents:

# Create GLB from STEP

cadgen step snapshot model.step

# Generate PNG preview from DXF

cadgen dxf snapshot drawing.dxf

Summary

• STEP/STP serves as the native CAD exchange format, convertible to GLB via cadgen.cli.step_snapshot
• STL, OBJ, PLY, and 3MF support additive manufacturing workflows through the DFAM-check skill
• DXF provides 2D vector output for technical drawings and laser cutting
• URDF and SDF enable direct import into ROS and Gazebo simulation environments
• PNG and JSON sidecars deliver visual previews and metadata for every primary CAD file

Frequently Asked Questions

Does text-to-cad support 3MF format for 3D printing?

Yes. The DFAM-check skill explicitly supports 3MF alongside STL, OBJ, and PLY, as validated in tests/python/skills/dfam-check/test_dfam_tool.py. This modern format preserves color and lattice data superior to legacy STL.

Can text-to-cad generate robotics description files?

Yes. The framework emits URDF and SDF files for robot simulation. The GCode skill tests demonstrate URDF generation concurrent with mesh outputs, allowing immediate testing in ROS or Gazebo without manual conversion.

What is the difference between STEP and GLB outputs?

STEP (.step) is a precise CAD boundary representation (B-rep) format for engineering workflows, while GLB is a compressed mesh format optimized for web viewing. The cadgen.cli.step_snapshot tool converts STEP to GLB for browser-based visualization.

How do I export a PNG snapshot from a CAD file?

Use the dedicated snapshot CLIs. Run cadgen dxf snapshot drawing.dxf to generate a PNG from a 2D drawing, or cadgen step snapshot model.step to create a rendered thumbnail of a 3D model. These commands are defined in cadgen.cli.dxf_snapshot and cadgen.cli.step_snapshot respectively.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "instagit": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "instagit@latest"]
    }
  }
}