Built on Zixel’s engineering work
Zixel was founded in 2020 to develop cloud-native 3D engineering software. Its work grew from digital twins and 3D collaboration into mechanical design, product data and AI for engineering.
Today, zCAD brings that experience into two connected products: zCAD. AI for generating CAD from a description, and zCAD. Online for editing, drawings and collaboration in the browser.
Founder and CEO Gong Minyan named the company Ziqian after the painter Zhan Ziqian. The connection is the idea of representing the physical world in digital form—so people can understand it, communicate it and develop it further.
From connected 3D to AI-native CAD
Selected milestones from Zixel’s company history, spanning digital twins, mechanical design and AI-native CAD.
- 2020
The beginning
Zixel was founded, beginning its work in cloud-native 3D engineering and industrial software.
- 2021
Digital twins
Digital-twin products entered enterprise use, bringing complex 3D information into connected working environments.
- 2022
Industrial applications
The company expanded its work across automotive, aerospace and high-tech manufacturing.
- 2023
Mechanical design
A 3D mechanical design platform launched. Members of the cloud CAD team also joined the OpenGeometry expert community.
- 2025
AI-native CAD
AI-native 3D CAD became a product milestone, alongside collaboration with Gstarsoft on cloud-native CAD.
Two products. One platform.
One account, shared model data and credits that work in both products. Start with the interaction that fits the task.
zCAD. AI
Describe a part or assembly, generate editable CAD, and refine the result. Continue in zCAD. Online or export STEP for another CAD tool.
zCAD. Online
Create parts, assemblies and drawings directly in the browser. AI generation is built into the workflow, alongside project history and team collaboration.
The engineering behind the products
Zixel’s research and development spans geometry, cloud architecture, mechanical CAD, product-data systems and AI. These areas meet in the everyday work of creating and revising a design.
the model.
Editable CAD geometry.
Connected project data.
AI at the start of modeling.
Editable geometry
Dimensions, constraints, features and assembly relationships make CAD useful through a revision. The team builds around geometry that engineers can inspect and develop.
Connected project data
Models, drawings, permissions and version history belong to the same project workflow. This keeps the context of a design close to the people reviewing it.
AI within the workflow
zCAD. AI turns a description into a CAD starting point. AI generation is also available inside zCAD. Online, using the same account and shared credits.
Engineering review
The generated shape is the beginning. Engineers still check interfaces, clearances, tolerances and manufacturing requirements as the design develops.
An international product organization
ZIXEL TECHNOLOGIES PTE. LTD. operates the international zCAD website from Singapore. Shanghai Ziqian Technology Co., Ltd. and other Zixel affiliates contribute development, operations and customer support.
The wider organization has a presence across Asia and Europe. For product questions, team requirements or support, contact zCAD to reach the appropriate team.
Frequently asked questions
Who operates zCAD?
The international product website is operated by ZIXEL TECHNOLOGIES PTE. LTD. in Singapore, with development and support contributions from Shanghai Ziqian Technology Co., Ltd. and other Zixel affiliates.
When did the company begin?
Zixel was founded in 2020. Its earlier digital-twin, collaboration and mechanical-design work forms part of the engineering background behind today’s zCAD products. The AI-native CAD milestone came in 2025.
Can I use either product independently?
Yes. zCAD. AI users can export CAD geometry for use in other tools. zCAD. Online users can model directly without using AI. The products share an account, model data and credits when used together.
Does one subscription cover both products?
Some plans include access to the other product. AI Pro includes Online Standard; AI Plus provides Online Personal with private models. Online Standard includes AI access and credits. See the pricing page for the complete plan rules.