The “cool new stuff” trap

This post details the development of an AI agent to convert STL files to editable CAD, highlighting the 'trap' of relying solely on AI for complex problem-solving. It emphasizes the critical role of a robust validation layer (measuring face counts, analytic surfaces, editability scores, etc.) in driving the conversion process. The architecture evolved from an agentic loop to a more direct pipeline: evaluate passes, build conversion plan, build candidate, select best valid candidate. The post also touches on using external tools like Fusion as candidate backends, underscoring that measurable outcomes are paramount.