> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.nodi3d.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Nodi for desktop (Windows)

> The complete Nodi for Windows: B-Rep and implicit modeling, STEP/IGES exchange, solid modeling, built-in simulation and topology optimization, and coding agent integration.

Nodi for desktop is the full Nodi for Windows. It brings everything you need to take a part from concept to validated design into one node graph: B-Rep and implicit modeling, STEP/IGES exchange with your CAD tools, solid modeling, immersed simulation and topology optimization on the local GPU, and direct control from your coding agent. Projects are local files, and the app works offline.

![Nodi for desktop showing the Cantilever example: a Mises stress result in the viewport, the node graph and the solver properties in the Inspector](https://mintcdn.com/nodi/WUVAFhB7cSdUZX4Q/images/nodi-desktop/simulation-cantilever.jpg?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=WUVAFhB7cSdUZX4Q\&q=85\&s=4dbbafbc572a40aa8d8588f9a89e5afd)

## Install

Download the Windows installer from [nodi3d.com/desktop](https://nodi3d.com/desktop). Nodi for desktop is in early access; if you do not have access yet, join the waitlist on the same page.

The app checks for updates on launch and notifies you when a new version is available. Click **Update** to install it and the app restarts on its own. Use **Check for updates** in the Nodi logo menu to check at any time.

## Nodi for desktop and the web editor

The [web editor](https://app.nodi3d.com) shares the node graph and the core modeling nodes, so you can open a project in the browser to view it, share it or make quick edits without installing anything. Engineering work, including CAD exchange, solids, analysis and agent-driven modeling, happens in Nodi for desktop.

| Capability | Nodi for desktop | Web editor |
| - | - | - |
| Project files | Native `.nodi` files: double-click to open, **Open Recent**, **Save As...** | `.nodi` / `.json` through browser download |
| CAD import | **STEP** and **IGES**, plus DXF, SVG, STL, OBJ, PLY, 3MF, 3DM, VTU and CLI | DXF, SVG, STL, OBJ, PLY, 3MF, 3DM, VTU and CLI |
| CAD export | **STEP** and **IGES** via `ExportBrep` / `ExportSurface`, plus mesh and curve formats | Mesh and curve formats only |
| Solid modeling | `SolidUnion`, `SolidDifference`, `SolidIntersection`, `FilletEdge`, `QuadMeshToBrep` | - |
| Simulation | Immersed stress, thermal, thermal-stress and flow solvers, and topology optimization. See [Simulation](https://docs.nodi3d.com/nodi-desktop/simulation.md) | - |
| Coding agents | Full [coding agent integration](https://docs.nodi3d.com/ai/coding-agents.md) | Setup guide only |
| Windows | Multiple windows (**File → New Window**), each numbered `Nodi [n]` | One tab per project |
| Evaluation cache | **File → Cache** saves results with the project | - |

Nodes that need the desktop app are marked **Desktop** in the [Nodes](https://docs.nodi3d.com/nodi-editor/nodes.md) reference. If you open a project that uses them in the web editor, those nodes report `This feature requires the desktop version`.

## Working with files

* **Open**, **Save** and **Save As...** use native file dialogs. `.nodi` files are associated with the app, so double-clicking one opens it. Legacy `.json` projects open the same way.
* **File → Open Recent** lists recently opened files.
* **File → Cache** toggles whether the evaluation cache is embedded when you save. Turn it on for projects with long solver runs or heavy meshes so they reopen with results in place. Turn it off to keep files small.

## CAD import and export

Drag a STEP or IGES file onto the canvas, or pick it in an `ImportGeometry` node. Nodi asks whether to **Import as mesh**:

![Import STEP dialog with the Import as mesh toggle and the Chord height tolerance field](https://mintcdn.com/nodi/WUVAFhB7cSdUZX4Q/images/nodi-desktop/import-step-dialog.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=WUVAFhB7cSdUZX4Q\&q=85\&s=045065ecf34d1e32957038a7ab60d7f3)

* Leave it off to import exact B-Rep geometry, which you can edit with the surface, Brep and solid modeling nodes.
* Turn it on to tessellate on import with a **Chord height tolerance**, which is faster for large assemblies you only need as a reference mesh.

![A bracket imported from STEP shown as a B-Rep solid in the viewport, with the ImportGeometry node selected](https://mintcdn.com/nodi/WUVAFhB7cSdUZX4Q/images/nodi-desktop/import-step-brep.jpg?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=WUVAFhB7cSdUZX4Q\&q=85\&s=b598f25e2a927f27d3e8a1191608232d)

A STEP part imported as an exact solid. The Inspector of the ImportGeometry node lists the output as a Solid.

`ExportBrep` writes Breps and surfaces to STEP or IGES, and `ExportSurface` offers the same formats next to the mesh formats. See [Import/Export](https://docs.nodi3d.com/nodi-editor/import-export.md) for the complete format list.

## Environment

**Environment** in the Nodi logo menu at the top left shows the GPU details of the machine. **GPU Acceleration** shows whether the solvers can use the GPU, which is supported on NVIDIA hardware with CUDA. The solver nodes expose a **gpu solver** property to opt in per node.

![Environment dialog showing GPU Acceleration ON (CUDA), the GPU, NVIDIA driver and CUDA version](https://mintcdn.com/nodi/WUVAFhB7cSdUZX4Q/images/nodi-desktop/environment.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=WUVAFhB7cSdUZX4Q\&q=85\&s=2d9d903f64c03a11877252d380f2e5ec)

## Next steps

> [card] [Simulation](https://docs.nodi3d.com/nodi-desktop/simulation.md)
>
> Run stress, thermal and flow analysis or topology optimization on the geometry in your graph.

> [card] [Coding Agents](https://docs.nodi3d.com/ai/coding-agents.md)
>
> Let Claude Code, Codex, Gemini CLI or Cursor build and edit models in the desktop app.

> [card] [Desktop examples](https://docs.nodi3d.com/nodi-editor/examples.md#desktop)
>
> Cantilever, cold plates, topology-optimized brackets, helical gear and more.

> [card] [Import/Export](https://docs.nodi3d.com/nodi-editor/import-export.md)
>
> Every supported format, including STEP and IGES.


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