Chinese startup DeepSeek has teamed up with Tencent and the University of Hong Kong to create the open-source Pointer-CAD framework. Built on Alibaba’s Qwen 2.5 model, it enhances accuracy and efficiency in computer-aided design. A paper published on arXiv details how the method supports complex geometric structures while reducing segmentation errors to very low levels.
Chinese startup DeepSeek has collaborated with Tencent and the University of Hong Kong (HKU) to develop the open-source Pointer-CAD framework for improving 3D design. Built on Alibaba’s Qwen 2.5 model, the tool boosts accuracy and efficiency in computer-aided design (CAD).
A paper published on Wednesday on the open-access repository arXiv states that the new method could “effectively support the generation of complex geometric structures and reduce segmentation error to an extremely low level” compared with existing technology. The authors—DeepSeek researcher Liu Wen, Tencent’s Zhao Zibo, HKU professor Ma Yi, and Beihang University student Qi Dacheng—have open-sourced the approach, with code available on GitHub, the world’s largest developer community.
CAD workflows typically start with 2D sketches, such as lines and circles, which are then turned into 3D modeling operations. Existing AI methods for generating 3D objects either consume too many tokens or lack support for entity selection, limiting complex editing. Pointer-CAD addresses these issues using command sequences and B-rep (Boundary Representation) techniques.
Keywords from the article include CAD, DeepSeek, Tencent, 3D modeling, HKU, command sequence, B-rep, and Boundary Representation. This partnership highlights advancements in AI-assisted design in China.