Frequently asked
Answers before you install.
Product capabilities, supported platforms, accounts, and AI provider setup.
The product
What is Chudware?
Dimension-driven parametric CAD with assemblies, drawings, CAM, simulation, PLM, reverse engineering, and a team of AI agents in one document. The desktop app and the browser workspace are the same product with the same file format.
Who is it for?
Engineers and technical teams who need to create, inspect, manufacture, or manage product data. The product spans mechanical design, manufacturing, electronics, simulation, and adjacent engineering work rather than assuming one job title.
How mature is it?
Chudware is in commercial preview. Core workflows are available, but file-format coverage and advanced study types continue to change. Use the trial on representative projects before moving production work.
What simulation studies are available?
The engine provides static, adaptive and mesh-convergence FEA; modal and frequency-response studies; high-cycle fatigue; steady and transient thermal conduction; linear buckling; and contact-aware static studies. Built-in flow is useful for directional comparisons, while the OpenFOAM path provides the higher-fidelity external-aerodynamics route when OpenFOAM is installed. Read each study's mesh, convergence, reaction, and provenance output before using a result for a decision.
Access and platforms
What does the 14-day trial include?
After email verification you get the browser workspace and the desktop app for 14 days with 5 GB of storage. No card required.
Which operating systems have a desktop build?
Windows, Linux, and macOS, all x86-64. The download page shows the current version, package format, size, and checksum for each.
What is the difference between Desktop and Studio?
Desktop licenses the desktop app with 5 GB of storage. Studio includes Desktop, adds the browser workspace, and raises storage to 100 GB. Both plans have every workspace.
How do desktop downloads work?
Sign in on the download page and pick the build for your platform. Download links are short-lived and tied to your account; the page shows the SHA-256 checksum so you can verify the file.
Files and data
What is a .step+ file?
It is Chudware's portable project container. It carries neutral STEP geometry together with the feature recipe, parameters, metadata, thumbnails, and integrity information needed to continue editing in Chudware. The neutral STEP payload can be extracted or exported for exchange with another CAD system.
Which exchange formats are supported?
STEP is the primary neutral solid format. IGES and BREP solids, and STL, OBJ, PLY, and glTF meshes, are supported where the workflow allows. The modeling reference table lists the current import and export directions.
Where are projects stored?
Desktop documents can stay on your workstation. Projects opened in the browser workspace are stored in your Chudware account and count against its storage quota. Keep your own exports and backups of anything important.
Can I migrate existing work?
Yes. Exchange a clean STEP model when you need exact solids, and use mesh formats only when a tessellated surface is sufficient. Imported neutral geometry does not recreate another CAD system's proprietary feature history, so retain the source file until the migrated project has been checked.
AI copilot
How does the copilot change a model?
The copilot is a team of agents. They plan the work, split it up, call the same modeling, simulation, and CAM tools you use, and read the structured results back. What they leave behind is a human-editable feature history with sketches fully defined. Every operation runs in the Chudware engine; an agent's text is never taken as proof that something succeeded.
How do I connect an AI provider?
Open Settings → Providers and sign in with a supported provider account or paste your own API key. Enter credentials only there — never in chat, a prompt, or a project note.
Who bills for AI usage?
Your provider does. Its plan, API prices, usage limits, and terms apply. Chudware doesn't sell tokens or resell model capacity.
What is sent to the provider?
The prompt plus the project context and tool results needed for the current turn are sent to the provider you selected. Chudware does not send your provider credential as prompt text. Review the provider's privacy and retention terms before using confidential project data.
Should I accept copilot output without review?
No. Open the feature tree, check the dimensions, toolpaths, boundary conditions, mesh quality, reactions, and exported evidence appropriate to the task. The agents can execute and inspect work; the engineer remains responsible for the design and release decision.
Commercial and support
How do I see the current subscription price?
Desktop and Studio are monthly subscriptions. Checkout shows the current price before you buy, including the education rate for a verified .edu account. Enterprise is arranged directly. See pricing for what each plan includes.
How do cancellation and refunds work?
You can cancel a subscription from the billing portal; access continues through the period already paid for. Refund requests are handled under the published refund policy.
Where can I get help?
Start with the documentation and troubleshooting guide. For account or product help, email support@chudware.com. Security reports go to security@chudware.com.