Generative design is a design exploration process. Designers or engineers input design goals into the generative design software, along with parameters such as performance or spatial requirements, materials, manufacturing methods, and cost constraints. The software explores all the possible permutations of a solution, quickly generating design alternatives. It tests and learns from each iteration what works and what doesn’t.

Quickly generate high-performing design alternatives—many that you’d never think of on your own—from a single idea. With generative design, there is no single solution; instead, there are multiple great solutions. You choose the design that best fits your needs. Learn more

Generative Design Overview (video: 2:43 min.)

Even though generative design is a great tool for designers, most generative designs end up with a shape that can only be 3D printed. But 3D printing is not always available, or the shapes are too big, or for a number of other reasons. Bumpy shapes are used as “inspirations” for final designs—a euphemism for a designer laboriously remaking the part bit by bit, substituting for each bumpy member, one that is straight/round/smooth—so it can be manufactured by conventional production methods.