Image-Based CAD Test Automation

Deliver faster, more reliable CAD releases with image-based automation that visually validates complex interfaces, streamlines quality assurance, and ensures flawless performance across environments.

Cross-Platform
Test on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and Linux with one script.
Visual Precision
Detect rendering and UI issues exactly as users see them.
Faster Releases
Replace manual checks with repeatable, automated tests.
No-Code
Create and run tests without scripting or plug-ins.

Why choose T-Plan for CAD Automation Testing?

Beyond improving accuracy and reducing the time spent on manual validation, T-Plan’s visual automation platform delivers key advantages for CAD and engineering environments:

Non-invasive approach:
Run automation remotely without modifying CAD files, workstation configurations or design assets, ensuring a secure and isolated test environment.
Supports all CAD platforms:
Automate workflows across popular CAD and engineering applications, with the flexibility to write, convert and run scripts for advanced customisation.
Human-like execution:
Simulates real user interactions at the GUI level, enabling precise step-by-step validation of design operations, tool selections, menus and on-screen workflows.
Image-based recognition:
Identifies and verifies visual elements directly on the screen, ideal for CAD systems that do not expose object-level identifiers or API hooks.
Cross-platform compatibility:
Works reliably across Windows, macOS, iOS, Linux and virtualised environments, supporting diverse CAD toolchains and engineering setups.
Flexible licensing:
A simple concurrent licensing model based on active connections, with the same price across platforms for predictable, scalable deployment.

Why Automate CAD Testing?

Automating CAD testing removes the burden of repetitive manual tasks, allowing teams to focus on higher-value engineering and design work. By validating visual outputs consistently and repeatably, automation improves accuracy and reduces human error across complex workflows.

Key CAD automation benefits:

Greater efficiency, thanks to faster validation cycles and reduced manual effort
Speed up time to market, giving engineering teams a competitive advantage
Improved scalability for handling large, complex or multi-platform design projects
Consistent, repeatable quality through predefined validation rules
A single source of truth for visual and functional test outcomes
Higher-quality outputs, supported by accurate and reliable test execution

Key Benefits of CAD Automation Testing

CAD automation testing requires precision, consistency and the ability to validate complex graphical interfaces.
T-Plan enables automated testing of CAD applications across environments, supporting repeatable workflows, visual accuracy and reliable execution.

No-Code
Required

Simplify CAD automation testing with an intuitive interface for both technical and non-technical users

Create Once, Repeat Anywhere

Define CAD test workflows once and execute them consistently across environments

Record and
Playback

Capture real user interactions and replay them for repeatable CAD testing and validation

External Data
Integration

Drive CAD testing using structured data from spreadsheets, databases, PDFs and APIs

Screen-Level
Automation

Test directly at the visual interface, replicating real user actions across CAD applications

Multi-Platform
Support

Test directly at the visual interface, replicating real user actions across CAD applications

Image-Based for True End-User Simulation

Verify outputs visually to ensure accuracy within CAD drawings and design interfaces

Third-Party
Integrations

Integrate with CI/CD tools and workflows to support end-to-end CAD testing processes

Trusted by Hundreds of Companies and Used by Thousands of People for Over 25 Years

What Our Automated Testing Tool Users Have To Say About Us

Goodyear’s automation of a CAD system was necessitated by the burden of a long and complicated manual test cycle. The presence of complex shapes, patterns, colours and geometries made the testing scenarios intricate and precise, which was best achieved using our advanced image recognition engine.”

Watch T-Plan Robot Automating Paraview CAD Software on a Linux Ubuntu Environment

T-Plan interacts with ParaView exactly as a user would, automating every step at screen level without relying on APIs or code access. The example below demonstrates how easily T-Plan handles visual workflows inside complex CAD and simulation environments.

Because the platform is fully technology agnostic, the same automation workflow can be executed across Windows, macOS and Linux, making it ideal for engineering teams that need consistent results across mixed operating systems or distributed workstations.

Platform Agnostic, Seamless Integration

Integration Capabilities

Integrates with a range of tools, including Selenium for script-less automated browser testing, and Jenkins for continuous integration, saving time & effort vs building and maintaining external testing frameworks.

Platform Agnostic

Automates GUI testing seamlessly across web and mobile platforms, supporting both Mac, Windows, and Linux environments with unified application, code, and file compatibility.

Image Recognition

Providing essential user feedback directly from the end-user’s perspective. Validated based on what is visually observed, not solely on the code’s output.

Code -Free Automation

An intuitive user interface designed for both technical and non-technical users, featuring drag-and-drop functionality. No Code / Low Code.

CAD Automation FAQs

What is CAD automation?

CAD automation is the process of using software tools to automate repetitive or complex tasks within Computer-Aided Design environments. It allows engineering and design teams to streamline workflows such as model creation, drawing updates, visual checks, tool selection, data entry and regression validation.

T-Plan supports CAD automation by interacting with the software exactly as a user would at screen level. This enables teams to automate testing, validate visual outputs and standardise workflows across any device or platform without plug-ins, code changes or CAD-specific integrations.

What are the 4 types of CAD software?

Although CAD tools vary by industry, they generally fall into four broad categories:

2D CAD – Used for technical drawings, schematics and floor plans (e.g. AutoCAD LT).
3D CAD – Used for modelling complex components and assemblies in three dimensions (e.g. SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, CATIA).
3D Modelling & Visualisation – Focused on rendering, animation and simulation (e.g. Blender, Rhino, 3ds Max).
CAE / CAM-Integrated CAD – Combines design with engineering analysis or manufacturing workflows (e.g. Siemens NX, Fusion 360).

T-Plan can automate any CAD application that renders visually on screen, regardless of category or underlying engine.

What are CAD solutions?

CAD solutions are software platforms used by engineers, designers and architects to create, modify and analyse digital models or technical drawings. These solutions support product development, structural design, manufacturing workflows and visual simulation.

They often include tools for drafting, 3D modelling, assembly design, rendering, data management and collaboration.

T-Plan complements CAD solutions by providing a way to automate UI interactions, validate design workflows and test outputs visually across different operating systems and hardware environments.

What are examples of CAD automation tools?

CAD automation tools help automate tasks such as modelling, drawing updates, data entry, regression validation and workflow testing. Examples include:

Scripting-based automation (e.g. AutoLISP for AutoCAD, Python scripting for FreeCAD)
Plug-in or macro-based automation within platforms like SolidWorks or Revit
API-driven automation using CAD vendor SDKs
Image-based automation tools like T-Plan, which automate CAD applications visually without requiring CAD-specific APIs, code access or plug-ins

Image-based tools such as T-Plan are particularly valuable because many CAD environments do not expose object-level data needed for traditional automation.

Image-Based CAD Test Automation

Why choose T-Plan for CAD Automation Testing?

Why Automate CAD Testing?