Copilot Professional

Talk to your CAD Data

The Talk to your CAD Data feature in Punch!CAD^™ Copilot Professional allows users to interact with their CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data using natural language processing. This means you can ask questions or give commands to the CAD system in plain language, and the AI-powered Punch!CAD^™ Copilot Professional will interpret your input and perform the necessary actions or retrieve the relevant information.

For example, you could say, “Why can’t I blend my selected part with a 0.6 inch blend?” and Punch!CAD^™ Copilot Professional would understand your request and provide the requested answer. This feature aims to make it easier for designers and engineers to work with complex CAD models by simplifying the interaction process and making data more accessible without the need for intricate commands or deep menu navigation.

General AI access

The General AI Access feature in Punch!CAD^™ Copilot Professional provides users with the ability to leverage the broad capabilities of AI to access and present information, insights, and assistance across a wide range of topics within the CAD environment. Users can instantly tap into a vast repository of information and expertise across various subjects directly within TurboCAD^® Mac. It can address diverse topics and tasks, making it a versatile resource for different needs, from design queries to technical support.

Text to Image

The Text to Image feature in Punch!CAD^™ Copilot Professional allows users to create visual content directly from textual descriptions within the CAD environment. This is particularly useful for designers and engineers who want to visualize concepts or ideas quickly without having to manually draw or model them.

For instance, if you provide a text prompt or description, such as “Design a sleek electric car with solar panels,” Punch!CAD^™ Copilot Professional generates an image that reflects this description. This capability fosters innovation and aids in the exploration of design possibilities without the need for detailed modeling from scratch. It’s a way of integrating AI-driven creativity into the CAD workflow, making it more dynamic and responsive to the designer’s imagination.

Rendering Scene Analysis

Bringing Clarity to Complex Rendering

Dive deeper into every detail of your rendering scenes with a powerful analysis tool. Designed for precision and clarity, this feature provides invaluable insights for CAD designers, ensuring optimal results.

Key aspects of Rendering Scene Analysis include:

• Complete scene inventories: Objects, Lights, Materials
• Detailed material properties: Textures, Transparency, Bump Maps
• Light source specifications: Type, Color, Intensity
• Renderer-specific Information: LightWorks, RedSDK, Visualize, and TurboLux

This comprehensive reporting helps artists and designers optimize scenes for photorealistic results.

Visual Features in Copilot

See More, Work Faster, Deliver Better

Copilot includes several visual options that make reports easier to read and work with. Designers can quickly identify colors through swatches, open texture files directly from the report, switch to a dark theme for reduced eye strain, and view reports in raw HTML before post‑processing.

• Color Marks: Instant color recognition via swatches
• Texture Links: Direct access to texture files
• Dark Theme: Reduced eye strain for extended work sessions
• Report before Post-Processing: Raw HTML report viewing option

These features provide a clear, professional reporting experience and support smoother day‑to‑day work.

AI-Powered Basic Text-to-CAD

Design the Future—With Words

With Punch!CAD™ Copilot Professional, we are taking a bold step forward in CAD design. Our AI-powered Basic Text-to-CAD feature redefines the way users interact with CAD tools, enabling the creation of CAD objects through simple natural language commands. This innovative functionality reflects our dedication to advancing technology, making CAD design more intuitive and accessible than ever.

As pioneers in this field, we are proud to lead the charge toward a future where technology and creativity unite to unlock exciting new opportunities in design.

Note: This feature represents an exciting foundational phase in our journey toward a fully integrated Text-to-CAD experience. While it currently offers basic capabilities—and not every functionality is unlocked yet—we are actively exploring ways to expand and enhance it in the future.

Part Creation & Editing

Design Smarter, Not Harder
Whether you’re crafting gears for a planetary system, structuring I-beams for a project, or refining ISO-standard screws, Part Creator adapts to your needs. Input parameters like module, tooth count, or helix angle, and watch as the tool generates flawless 3D models—no manual calculations required. From spur gears to herringbone racks, every part is built to your exact specifications.

The powerful part tools offer:

Part Creator:

• Library of standard mechanical components
• Parametric customization
• One-click placement in drawings

Part Editor:

• Non-destructive modification of existing parts
• Real-time preview of changes
• History-free editing workflow

Need a sprocket with custom bolt patterns? A hex nut with a flange? Part Creator’s intuitive interface lets you define dimensions, materials, and even thread finishes with ease. Edit parameters later directly via the Part Editor—your design evolves as fast as your ideas.

Copilot Render

Copilot Professional required

Copilot Render transforms CAD drawings into expressive visual concepts using simple natural‑language prompts. By describing the desired style, lighting, or environment, designers can generate concept renderings that appear directly on top of the existing drawing—without altering the underlying geometry.

Rendered images display directly inside the active drawing view, making it easy to explore visual ideas while continuing to work in the CAD environment. Multiple variations can be generated and compared, enabling rapid experimentation with materials, lighting moods, and different architectural or mechanical styles.

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Copilot Render

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Before and After using Copilot Render

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Copilot Render can also be used to add, remove, or modify shapes within a design, allowing users to explore alternative concepts quickly and intuitively. It supports both 3D models and 2D drawings and can incorporate reference files to guide materials, textures, and overall visual style.

This makes Copilot Render ideal for early‑stage visualization, design reviews, and presentation‑ready concept imagery—bringing fast, integrated, AI‑powered ideation directly into the TurboCAD workflow.

Copilot Part Finder

Copilot Professional required

Copilot’s Part Finder is an intelligent CAD parts search agent that enables engineers to quickly find and reuse CAD components from a library of over 770,000 parts, covering major standards and suppliers including ANSI, ISO, and DIN. Users can search in natural language, and the assistant automatically selects the appropriate mode based on the request.   Users have four modes to query Part Finder:

Search Parts
Find specific CAD components by describing the standard or supplier, part family, and key dimensions. This mode supports precise queries (for example, ISO 4017 M6x20 hex bolts) as well as practical requests such as matching bolt–nut–washer sets.

Company Catalog
Browse the part families offered by a specific standard or supplier. This mode provides a catalog-style view (such as hex bolts, bearings, profiles, or bars) with part counts to help you understand what is available.

List Companies
View all standards and manufacturers included in the CAD parts library, along with approximate numbers of parts for each. This is useful for understanding library coverage and deciding where to focus your search.

Help
Learn how to describe parts so search works more effectively. This mode explains which descriptors matter most—such as size, length, pitch, and standard—and provides example queries you can reuse.

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Copilot Part Finder

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Windows System Requirements

Minimum System Requirements

• Software Compatibility: ViaCAD^® 17 Pro, ViaCAD^® 17 2D/3D, ViaCAD^® 17 2D, SharkCAD^® 17 or SharkCAD^® 17 Pro
• Operating System: Windows^® 7, 8, 10, or 11 ¹
• Processor: Intel Pentium IV or AMD Athlon64™ class 64-bit processor
• RAM: 8 GB or greater
• Hard Disk Space: 3 GB of free disk space for installation
• Pointing Device: Mouse with wheel button (recommended)
• Graphics: OpenGL/DirectX9-compliant video card with 256MB of dedicated RAM
• Internet Connection: Required for activation, updates, online features, and term licenses (if applicable)²

Additional Notes

• Operating System: ¹ Program compatibility is not guaranteed for earlier operating systems (pre-Windows 7) or future unreleased Windows versions.
• Optimal Performance: 16 GB RAM and SSD disk for improved handling of large files.
• Internet: ² User responsible for all associated ISP fees and charges.

Mac System Requirements

Minimum System Requirements

• Software Compatibility: ViaCAD^® 17 Pro, ViaCAD^® 17 2D/3D, ViaCAD^® 17 2D, SharkCAD^® 17 or SharkCAD^® 17 Pro
• Operating System: macOS 11.0 (Big Sur) through macOS 26.0 (Tahoe) ¹
• Processor: Apple Mac with Intel^® (x64 architecture) or Apple Silicon (ARM-based M1, M2, M3, or newer)
• RAM: 8 GB or greater
• Hard Disk Space: 4 GB of free disk space for installation
• Pointing Device: Mouse with wheel button (recommended) or 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse
• Internet Connection: Required for activation, updates, and term licenses (if applicable)²

Additional Notes

• Operating System: ¹ Program compatibility is not guaranteed for earlier operating systems (pre-macOS 11.0) or future unreleased macOS versions.
• Optimal Performance: 16 GB RAM and SSD disk for improved handling of large files.
• Internet: ² User responsible for all associated ISP fees and charges.