A　simple　method　to　prepare　near　net-shape　carbon　foams　was　developed.　Results　show　that　the　carbon　foams　can　be　prepared　by　direct　pyrolysis　of　casting　parts　from　allyl　condensed　polynuclear　aromatic　(COPNA)-modified　bismaleimide　(BMI)　resin.　The　resin　possesses　self-foaming　characteristics　and　can　easily　keep　its　complex　shape　upon　pyrolysis.　The　resulting　carbon　foams　have　well-developed　pore　structures　and　relatively　high　mechanical　strength　as　well　as　low　thermal　conductivity.　©　2014　Elsevier　B.V.　All　rights　reserved.