The Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics Research IGD (Darmstadt) is among the world's leading institutions for applied visual computing. Over the past years, it developed a dental CAD software enabling an optimal virtual construction of almost any type of dental prostheses.

The software Dental CAD features particularly easy usability, quick results as well as open interfaces for connecting numerous scanners and milling machines. The spin-off exocad (Darmstadt), founded March 1, 2010, has been announced as the exclusive licensee. General manager and responsible for sales and marketing is Tillmann Steinbrecher. Technical manager is Maik Gerth. In December 2009, the chief developer together with Tillmann Steinbrecher was awarded for his outstanding research achievements in the fields of dental computer-aided design by Fraunhofer IGD. Since its founding, customers of exocad include, among others, AmannGirrbach (Koblach, Austria), Hint-ELs (Griesheim), Schütz Dental (Rosbach), Zfx (Altomünster) and Zirkonzahn (Gais, Italy).

Indications that may be constructed with Dental CAD include, among others, copings, telescope crowns, fully anatomical and anatomically reduced crowns and bridges as well as inlays, onlays, and veneers.

Since April 2010, the Implant Module is available allowing the virtual modeling of, for example, abutments as well as screw-retained bridges. The prerequisite for the use of this module is a high-precision scanner. Also available since April 2010 is the add-on module Virtual Articulator, which allows for considering dynamic occlusion when designing fully anatomical chewing surfaces. The user requires a scanner capable of measuring articulated models. The optional Nesting Module serves for the order and blanks management, the placement of constructions in the virtual blank, and the visualization of milling paths directly via the design software.