Idea to 3D Part.

Describe your 3D design

By the Partvo team · Updated October 1, 2026

Start with your idea, whether it is a replacement part, robotics mount, dragon, dolphin, dog, mythical figure, sculpture or an assembly. Describe what it should look like or do. You do not need to fit your idea into a plate or enclosure template.

The design studio is live for AI-assisted custom CAD. Depending on the validated design, exports can include STL, STEP and a DXF cutting outline for suitable flat geometry. Large designs may need multiple validated parts; a brief up to 5 m does not guarantee every shape can be generated or fabricated. A DXF outline still needs manual CAM review and is not machine-ready G-code. Partvo-managed printing is not yet available. Check live service capabilities before relying on a specific integration or model.

Start with the idea and overall size

Tell us the subject, purpose and approximate width, depth and height. State your units and which measurements are exact. If a size is unknown, say so. A reference image can explain style and proportions, but does not establish physical scale.

Ask the right questions for the design

• Functional parts: What must fit or attach? Give critical interfaces, loads, clearances and openings only where relevant.
• Animals, characters and mythical figures: Describe the pose, silhouette, proportions, expression, detail level and any base. Should it be one solid model or separate pieces?
• Sculptures and organic shapes: Describe curves, symmetry, texture and style. Identify what matters visually and what may vary.
• Assemblies and moving models: Identify the components, joints, intended motion and clearances. Say whether parts must separate or print together.
• Digital-only models: State the intended software, file format and whether appearance or editable geometry matters most. Skip fabrication questions that do not apply.

Replacing a broken plastic part from photos

Show an overall photo, close and side views of the broken area, and caliper readings between named faces or hole centers. State what the replacement must fit, its load direction and the one physical test that would prove it works. Label values inferred from a photo as estimates; a reference image does not establish scale or tolerance. If a mating feature is uncertain, review a small fit coupon before printing the full part.

For a file example, download the generated sensor-enclosure sample to inspect STL and STEP files. It is a demonstration, not a physically tested replacement part.

Example briefs

Dragon: A freestanding coiled Chinese dragon, about 50 mm tall, with visible horns and a stable base. One piece, stylized rather than realistic. Ask before simplifying delicate details.

Robotics mount: A bracket joining a sensor to my robot. The sensor and mounting-hole measurements are attached; preserve those interfaces. Ask about loads and clearance before selecting thickness.

Dolphin: A smooth dolphin in a jumping pose, about 100 mm long, with a separate display stand. Appearance matters more than exact dimensions.

Copy this design brief

Idea or subject:
Purpose: display / functional / digital / other
Overall size and units:
Style, pose and proportions:
Must-have features:
Optional details:
One piece, separate components or moving assembly:
Fit or attachment requirements, if any:
Known measurements and uncertain values:
Reference photos or sketches:
Preferred output format, if known:
Printing intended? If yes, material or environment constraints:
How I will judge the result:

Separate requirements from preferences

“The connector must be accessible” is a requirement. “I prefer a rounded lid” is a preference. State which dimensions cannot change and where the design has room to change. Do not guess a material, clearance or wall thickness merely to fill a blank: those choices need to be checked against the design and manufacturing process.

Make the material decision explicit

Describe the conditions before choosing a material name. If the design will be printed, record the highest expected temperature, whether it will stay outdoors, whether the lid opens repeatedly and which surfaces must fit another object. Mark each answer as measured, estimated or unknown.

• Fit: Which hole, board edge or connector is the tightest interface? Define how you will check it on a small test print.
• Use: Record heat, moisture, sunlight and expected forces, including repeated bending or assembly.
• Process: Ask which printing orientation, surface finish and post-processing the chosen material needs.
• Evidence: Before approving a material, review its specific technical data and the proposed manufacturing conditions. A generic label such as “resin” does not establish suitability.

Keep the chosen material, its reason and any unresolved requirement in the brief. Our free open-source skill provides a material-question workflow an agent can use with you.

Before printing or cutting

Review the exact design version, units, critical dimensions, material, process and machine limits. Inspect the STL in your slicer, the STEP in CAD, or the DXF in CAD/CAM as appropriate. A later design change should trigger another review. Partvo does not currently take managed print orders or provide machine-ready CNC G-code. See DXF cutting outlines and manual CAM review.

Bring your brief to the design studio, or use the free agent skill. Saving a brief does not purchase credits or place a print order.