Autodesk Project Bernini Review: AI Topology Generation
Developer: Autodesk
Version: Research (2025)
Price: Unknown
Platform: Windows, macOS
Rating: 4.4 / 5
Autodesk Project Bernini Review 2025: AI Topology Generation
Website: https://www.research.autodesk.com/projects/project-bernini/
Project Bernini is Autodesk’s new, cutting-edge experimental app, which leverages generative AI to completely change how designers and artists create 3D geometry. Aimed at professionals within the Autodesk ecosystem, Bernini turns simple text prompts or reference images into workable, optimized 3D meshes.
Though still in a research phase, Bernini shows significant promise for fields like product design, architectural modeling, and character creation. Rather than simply generating 3D shapes, Bernini appears to be pushing toward functionality-first generation, with intelligent mesh flow and potentially game-ready topology baked into the core.
Core Technology
Project Bernini utilizes advanced generative AI to convert abstract prompts into detailed 3D meshes. The Bernini platform isn’t just creating rough concept models. It aims to deliver functionally usable geometry, meaning topology is clean, predictable, and primed for animation or simulation.
Autodesk has hinted at future capabilities involving automated retopology, which would make the system even more powerful for professionals who often spend hours cleaning up generated assets. Bernini's AI is trained to prioritize geometry that aligns with production-ready standards, meaning fewer headaches for artists during the optimization and rigging stages.
Bernini represents a hybrid between AI concept sculpting and procedural mesh refinement, blending generative ideation with Autodesk’s long-standing focus on precision and interoperability. If retopology features mature as promised, Bernini could eliminate one of the most time-consuming steps in digital asset creation.
Workflow Integration
While Project Bernini is still in its early stages, it offers tight integration with Autodesk’s flagship tools such as Maya and 3ds Max. Though specific export formats haven’t been officially documented, it’s safe to assume standard file types like FBX and OBJ are supported, given Autodesk’s legacy in 3D production pipelines. Any geometry created with Bernini will be able to quickly be ported into existing workflows for further sculpting, rigging, or animation.
For professionals already embedded in Autodesk’s environment, Bernini could eventually become a natural companion tool for early-stage ideation and shape generation. It’s not yet fully integrated or production-ready, but its browser-accessible UI and cloud-backed processing point toward a frictionless user experience once officially launched.
- Exports in FBX, OBJ
- Compatible with Maya, 3ds Max
- Autodesk ecosystem focus
- Early-stage tool
Quality Assessment
Project Bernini performs impressively when generating simple objects or broad design concepts, especially when the input prompts are clear and well-scoped. For designers needing to quickly prototype furniture, props, or basic characters, Bernini delivers surprisingly usable geometry right out of the gate. When it comes to more complex or intricate topology, however, especially models that require anatomical accuracy or intricate edge loops, Bernini's output quality can vary depending on how specific or abstract the input prompt is.
Bernini users report accuracy ranges of 80–90% for simpler shapes and 70–85% when expecting topology that holds up to scrutiny in animation or high-resolution rendering. As an experimental tool, it's not perfect, but it's also not meant to replace full modeling suites just yet.
- 80-90% accuracy for simple shapes
- 70-85% for detailed topology
- Best with clear inputs
Pricing Structure
Since Project Bernini is still in the experimental or pre-release phase, there’s no official pricing structure yet. However, based on Autodesk’s historical pricing strategy, it’s likely that Bernini will eventually become part of the broader Autodesk subscription suite—possibly bundled with Maya, 3ds Max, or Fusion 360 as an AI-powered feature layer.
- Pricing: Unknown (research phase)
- Likely tied to Autodesk subscriptions
Final Verdict
Autodesk Project Bernini is shaping up to be a game-changing addition to the 3D modeling space, particularly for designers and engineers who want to blend artistic creativity with geometric precision. Its AI-generated models aim to be production-grade assets with intelligent topology and practical use cases.
Looking at the direction Autodesk is taking Bernini in, the app likely has a future where ideation, modeling, and optimization can all happen in a single pass. Professionals already working within the Autodesk environment will likely find Bernini to be a natural complement to their existing workflows. That said, the tool is not yet ready to replace manual modeling for detailed, mission-critical assets, and its full capabilities, including promised auto-retopology, still haven't been release.
For now, Bernini is a fascinating glimpse into the future of AI-assisted modeling: fast, functional, and increasingly intelligent. Keep an eye on Bernini as it may soon become a cornerstone of Autodesk’s next-generation design tools.
Pros
- Functional mesh output
- Autodesk integration
- High potential
- Research-driven
Cons
- Experimental stage
- Pricing unclear
- Limited current features