TrustRadius Insights
Onshape has established itself as the go-to CAD tool for product design and R&D in the robotics and automation industry, offering …
Starting at $1,500 per year per user
View PricingOverview
What is Onshape?
Onshape is a cloud-native product development platform with integrated CAD, data management and analytics. Onshape aims to accelerate time to market and improve innovation by:1) Access: Unlike file-based CAD which is on-premise only, Onshape enables remote access for designers and…
Recent Reviews
Awards
Products that are considered exceptional by their customers based on a variety of criteria win TrustRadius awards. Learn more about the types of TrustRadius awards to make the best purchase decision. More about TrustRadius Awards
Reviewer Pros & Cons
Pricing
Standard
1,500
Cloud
per year per user
Professional
2,500
Cloud
per year per user
Enterprise
Contact sales team
Cloud
per year per user
Entry-level set up fee?
- No setup fee
For the latest information on pricing, visithttps://www.onshape.com/en/pricing
Offerings
- Free Trial
- Free/Freemium Version
- Premium Consulting/Integration Services
Starting price (does not include set up fee)
- $1,500 per year per user
Product Details
- About
- Competitors
- Tech Details
- Downloadables
- FAQs
What is Onshape?
Onshape is a cloud-native product development platform with integrated CAD, data management and analytics. Onshape aims to accelerate time to market and improve innovation by:
1) Access: Unlike file-based CAD which is on-premise only, Onshape enables remote access for designers and engineers from anywhere, and on any internet-connected device -including tablets and smart phones.
2) Collaboration: Onshape aims to eliminate the version control problems and blocking of file-based CAD and PDM systems by enabling real-time, simultaneous access and collaboration for designers and engineers.
The vendor boasts over 2 million users who work in Onshape to modernize and streamline their product development cycle. According to the vendor, Onshape users in 170+ countries have logged over 6 million hours modeling advanced robotics, biomedical devices, industrial machinery, agriculture equipment, and consumer products. Onshape is designed to be an anywhere, anytime CAD system. The vendor reports that 1 in 8 sessions occur on mobile devices.
Founded in 2012, the Onshape leadership team includes the original creators of SOLIDWORKS® and other leaders in cloud infrastructure, data security, and mobile. PTC purchased Onshape in 2019.
Onshape Features
- Supported: Parts (top-down or bottom-up solid and surface modeling)
- Supported: Assemblies (design in-context, built-in standard hardware and parts linked from documents, single mate)
- Supported: Drawings (fully detailed drawings of parts and assemblies, import/export DWG, DWT and DXF file formats)
- Supported: Data Management (built-in version control and release management tools)
- Supported: Collaboration (real-time simultaneous design, follow mode, comments)
- Supported: Workflow (automate workflows to manage release and revision, custom workflows)
- Supported: Bill of Materials (manage while simultaneously editing and assembly with real-time updates)
- Supported: Configurations (separate tables for each configuration option, configuration variables enable infinite product variations with unique release history)
- Supported: Analytics (monitor project status with Activity, Release, Project and User dashboards, security reviews, global permissions)
- Supported: Integrations (robust REST API, App Store with ERP, PLM, SSO, simulation, CAM)
- Supported: Support (contact support directly in the product, Learning Center with tutorials and instructor led training )
- Supported: Security (role-based access control, AES-256 encryption, optional 2FA and audit logs, SOC 2 Type 2 compliant)
Onshape Videos
Onshape Competitors
Onshape Technical Details
| Deployment Types | Software as a Service (SaaS), Cloud, or Web-Based |
|---|---|
| Operating Systems | Unspecified |
| Mobile Application | Apple iOS, Android |
| Supported Countries | Global |
| Supported Languages | English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), Spanish |
Onshape Downloadables
Frequently Asked Questions
Onshape starts at $1500.
Reviewers rate Implementation Rating highest, with a score of 9.2.
The most common users of Onshape are from Small Businesses (1-50 employees).
Comparisons
Compare with
Reviews and Ratings
(75)
Community Insights
TrustRadius Insights are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, 3rd-party data sources. Have feedback on this content? Let us know!
- Business Problems Solved
- Pros
- Cons
- Recommendations
Onshape has established itself as the go-to CAD tool for product design and R&D in the robotics and automation industry, offering real-time collaboration and version control. Users from various industries, such as 3D printing service companies, machine design companies, and startups, have highlighted its usefulness and efficiency in their workflows. For instance, a 3D printing service company relies on Onshape for file conversion needs, particularly when converting SolidWorks files to the .stl format. Onshape's support for parts, assemblies, drawings, simulations, and renderings has made it a preferred full CAD suite for machine design companies collaborating with vendors and customers.
The ease of use and time-saving aspects of Onshape have resonated with users across industries. An early-stage startup values Onshape for its simplicity, design traceability, and lack of technical glitches compared to other CAD programs. Similarly, in sensor and microcontroller development, Onshape aids in the rapid development of lab fixtures and enclosures by supporting import/export of part files and collaboration features. Additionally, Onshape is being used extensively in the automotive industry, serving as the primary CAD system for a company providing automation solutions. The advantages of version management, sharing designs with customers, and collaboration have been instrumental in improving their processes.
Another significant benefit of Onshape is its accessibility from any computer or mobile device due to its cloud-based infrastructure. This feature allows users to work on designs anytime, anywhere without the need for expensive hardware or IT support. It simplifies collaboration within teams as well as with outside suppliers worldwide by providing easy tracking of changes and versions. Furthermore, organizations have found that Onshape addresses file management challenges associated with traditional systems by simplifying collaboration among cross-functional design teams and maintaining document management architecture.
Onshape's versatility is evident in its application across multiple industries such as marine, opto-mechanical engineering, product development, industrial automation, and vertical farming. It has become the preferred CAD system for designing 3D printed products and prototypes, thanks to its cloud and collaboration features along with multi-CAD import capabilities. Moreover, Onshape has proven to be a cost-effective and powerful solution for small teams and individuals, offering ease of use and sufficient capabilities for various projects.
The cloud-based nature of Onshape makes it convenient for sharing information with other departments, vendors, clients, and coworkers, improving communication and collaboration. Users appreciate the ability to work in the same document simultaneously, enabling real-time collaboration, especially beneficial for remote teams. It simplifies the process of converting customer designs into manufacturable components by streamlining communication and collaboration.
Furthermore, Onshape's permission-based access ensures secure sharing of CAD data while minimizing the need for CAD administration and support. Its tutorial videos and responsive support staff make it easy for users to learn and navigate the software. Onshape's unique configuration capabilities provide efficiency and control in designing similar models with different dimensions, unlocking potential that might be limited by other CAD packages.
The cloud-based system of Onshape revolutionizes CAD by enabling easy sharing and collaboration with customers, coworkers, and suppliers, involving a broader audience in the design process. It is widely used in various industries such as selling through configurators, manufacturing, CAM software, and modeling industrial automation, highlighting its versatility and integration capabilities.
Overall, Onshape's cloud-based infrastructure, collaborative features, user-friendly interface, and versatile applications have made it a preferred choice for professionals across industries. Its ability to simplify design processes, streamline collaboration, improve communication, and enhance accessibility from any device has proven to be invaluable in achieving efficient product development and solving customer challenges.
Cloud-based infrastructure and collaboration capabilities: Many users have expressed their appreciation for Onshape's cloud-based infrastructure, which allows them to access their data from anywhere and on any device without the need for software installation or file management. This feature has been highly praised by reviewers who value the flexibility and convenience it offers.
Clear version control and change tracking: The ability to clearly see versions and change history in Onshape has received positive feedback from users. This feature enables them to track and manage their design progress effectively, ensuring that they are always working with the most up-to-date information.
In-application support and assistance: Users have praised Onshape's in-application support, mentioning that they have received rapid assistance whenever they needed help. They appreciate the ability to share their models with the support team, which greatly aids in getting the necessary help. This responsive support system has been highlighted as a valuable asset by many reviewers.
Confusing User Interface: Some users have expressed frustration with the confusing and difficult-to-navigate user interface of Onshape. They find it challenging to locate certain features or accomplish specific design tasks, often having to rely on external resources like Google and forums for assistance.
Lack of Advanced Features: Several users have mentioned that Onshape lacks certain advanced features that are available in other CAD packages. These missing features include basic simulation, rendering, and animations, which can be a drawback for users who heavily rely on them for their design work.
Steep Learning Curve: The software's lack of a traditional file-based data structure has resulted in a steep learning curve for some users. They have to adapt to the versioning, revisions, releases, and branches system, requiring extra thought and effort to align with their workflow.
Users of Onshape have provided several recommendations based on their experience with the CAD tool. Here are the three most common recommendations:
-
Try Onshape for a project and consider the cost vs. value: Many users suggest giving Onshape a try for a specific project. They highlight the importance of evaluating the software's features and learning how it works during the trial period. Additionally, users emphasize considering the cost-effectiveness of Onshape compared to other CAD tools.
-
Start slow and work on simple projects first: Users advise starting with smaller and simpler projects when using Onshape. By gradually familiarizing yourself with the software, you can better understand its capabilities and optimize your workflow.
-
Utilize Onshape support and forums for assistance: Users recommend taking advantage of Onshape's support resources, including their support team and online forums. They suggest reaching out to tech support for guidance on migrating from another software, determining the Bill of Materials (BOM) structure, and organizing parts effectively. Engaging with the user community in forums allows for discussions with other users and developers to ensure that your specific needs are met.
It is important to note that these recommendations showcase users' perspectives on how to get the most out of Onshape and maximize its benefits for their CAD needs.
Attribute Ratings
Reviews
(1-24 of 24)Companies can't remove reviews or game the system. Here's why
February 07, 2023
An intuitive and versatile, modern take on CAD
Connecting with fellow employees abroad and sharing CAD documents has been made much easier and frequent by using the shared workspaces that Onshape offers. A cloud based system enables a team orientated workflow previously unavailable to us, with edits and reviews of designs and drawings commonplace and straight forward.
Furthermore, the addition of custom features enables more intuitive development of designs that would otherwise be held back by a less mainstream CAD package.
Furthermore, the addition of custom features enables more intuitive development of designs that would otherwise be held back by a less mainstream CAD package.
- Cloud sharing and version control
- Custom features
- Helpful learning centre
- A detailed 3D wiring feature
- Part studios and assemblies offering good component organisation control
- Some features not available or lacking depth
- Part importing and document control not always intuitive
- Online only
January 31, 2023
For Web-Based Engineering, Choose Onshape
We are a web-based mechanical engineering services company, providing anything from technical drawings through complex machine design and analysis. In order to seamlessly integrate with companies' teams, having cloud-based CAD is almost a necessity. Passing local copies of files back and forth is inefficient, error-prone, and, frankly, just not fun. Onshape's cloud-based CAD system addresses all of these issues. Additionally, the transition from other nodal-based CAD was easy and we now prefer it over any other software we have used, not just for its cloud-based infrastructure.
- Cloud-based infrastructure and collaboration is a primary benefit.
- The available documentation is extremely thorough.
- The ability to integrate with other software for simulation, renderings, etc. is fantastic.
- Not having to save and being able to clearly see versions and change history is excellent.
- Some of the hole callout features in drawings are very limited.
- I have noticed some speed issues in larger assembly drawings.
- Click responsiveness of dimensions within drawings.
- Cut list flexibility is constrained to frames-only components.
January 25, 2023
Why Onshape is making Poindexter by Design, an on demand mechanical engineering service provider, successful in 2023 and beyond!
Poindexter By Desing utilizes Onshape to seamlessly collaborate design work with other company's engineers in real time.
- Second to none streamlined design collaboration. There is no down time waiting for files to be saved and shared or emailed. Whether you're working with a fellow engineer in the same office or across the globe, it is all the same with Onshape!
- There are several unique features Onshape provides that other CAD software will never be able to. The big one that comes to mind is the in-context editing. Have you ever found yourself designing and flipping back and forth from part to assembly and then back to the part to take measurements to drive part level features for fit? No more my fellow engineers! Onhsape allows you to do what is called in-context editing, it is a tool that allows you to drive part level features and dimensions directly from the assembly level! I highly recommend you learn more about this and the many other features only Onshape can provide your engineering toolbox!
- Documentation management! I cannot say enough good things about how Onshape gives you the ability to organize a design into tabs, folders, documents, and document folders. The ability to control different permissions such as editing, or view only is fantastic! Easily apply these permissions to teams or individuals to employees within your organization or more importantly, with customers who don't even have an Onshape account!
- Dimensioning a hole feature in a drawing when there are multiple holes, the hole count does not parametrically update. For example, when there are 3x of the same hole, Onshape forces you to manually type in 3x instead of parametrically populating the hole count. This gets very dangerous if say, one of the 3x holes changes but you forget to update the 3x to 2x. Other CAD software does provide this.
- I know Onshape provides guidance on performance considerations and how to structure a project through their literature, however, a dedicated video from Onshape that directly addresses the guidelines on how to minimize file load and reload times would be beneficial to all future and current Onshape users. I think they should incorporate this directly in their training. Poindexter by Design went through the growing pains of this issue but through the Onshape literature and our own experiences we've developed guidelines on how to keep our Onshape performance maximized!
January 04, 2023
Great full-featured CAD system in the cloud
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
We use Onshape for our machine design and full CAD suite. It is used to collaborate with vendors and customers. We use the parts, assemblies, drawings, simulations, renderings, etc. For us, it is our full CAD design system.
- Collaboration
- speed
- Ease of use
- Assemblies
December 14, 2022
Best 3D CAD package compared to Solidworks and Inventor
One of the biggest issues I had with other CAD programs was a lack of easy implementation PDM and access to the software while away. Generally, most CAD PDM's have to be stored on the company network and they can't be implemented without significant cost. Onshape has this built in and makes revision control and releasing documents simple with no hassle.
With other CAD programs you have to have a network license or VPN to use it on another machine or at home. With onshape I can use it at work on my desktop and on my home desktop whenever I need it. If I am really in a pinch, then I can use the android app as well.
With other CAD programs you have to have a network license or VPN to use it on another machine or at home. With onshape I can use it at work on my desktop and on my home desktop whenever I need it. If I am really in a pinch, then I can use the android app as well.
- Great 3D design package
- NEVER CRASHES
- Updates are constant and they listen to users
- Accessible from anywhere at anytime
- The PDM implementation is a life saver
- 2D Drawings - This has gotten a lot better but they need to add more features to drawings
- Renders - This is a recent addition but still has a long way to go
- No feature identify tool for imports
September 12, 2022
Onshape has put Solidworks on notice.
We use Onshape for all of our mechanical product designs. Onshape allows us to rapidly develop models and drawings to solve our customer's challenges.
- Parametric modeling.
- File management.
- Program stability.
- Performance optimization.
- Mechanical assemblies.
- Drawings
- Model based definition.
- Drawing release management.
August 06, 2022
Onshape for Industrial Design
We have been using Onshape for 3 years now, and we witnessed the continuous improvement of its features. Overall, it has a user-friendly environment and is similar to other CAD software. It is not ideal though for creating detailed wire harness models.
- "Where used" feature is a great add-on.
- Simplified constraints.
- Data Management helped us checked and approved the files easily.
- Wire harness or cabling features.
- Auto-display of Checker/Approver's name on the drawing file.
- Adding thread lines on threaded parts (2D).
August 06, 2022
Onshape: The Game-changer
It facilitates our design work. Because it is web-based, we can work from anywhere and deliver effectively. We can easily check for interferences, improve designs, and even construct wiring routes.
- Interference Check
- Wiring/ Cable
- 3D Design
- Drawing
- Incomplete lines generated in drawing.
- Difficulty in selection of drawing elements, views, pick point of dimensions.
- Bug in creating multiple broken views inside a single view.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
We use Onshape to design special remotely operated tools for our customers in the oil & gas industry, as well as our own in-house equipment for the mineral processing industry. The unique configuration capabilities of Onshape make it very well suited for our in-house flotation machines which are very similar, except for capacity, hence they are all designed from one model where dimensions are controlled by configurations.
- Parts can be modeled together inheriting geometry from each other
- Mating using mate connectors is much easier and faster than other cad systems
- Cloud storage eliminates file backup procedures, all data are managed by Onshape
- Onshape stores everything in a database, never looses track of a file or a folder.
- In drawings (2d) we miss the possibility to specify line type (hidden/dashed) for specific parts/subassemblies
- In drawings we would like to draw lines based on coordinates or snap to grid
- We miss one command to switch all views in a drawing to reference a specific version or to the main workspace.
April 21, 2022
Great Program. Major improvement over SW
System design and integration. Machine design. Share files with prospective and existing customers. Illustrating some proposals.
- Maintaining designs, and updates
- Ease of going back if changes are discarded.
- Mating of the components
- Measurement tool
- Automatic mate connector pick up
- Mate positive negative direction selection
- Ability to save whole project with mates and parts locally.
April 02, 2022
Onshape review. Great capability vs cost.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Onshape is a capable, professional, CAD software solution that operates in the cloud. I can access and work on files from any computer. It is efficient and easy to use.
- Standard sketch driven CAD models
- Assemblies for fit and movement verification
- File and project management
- Drawing and drafting module is advancing but behind
- A native CAM solution would be welcome
- A native photo rendering solution would be nice
February 21, 2022
A love letter to Onshape from an admirer.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Onshape is primarily used in our new product development group though not exclusively. We are primarily a SolidWorks shop, but I have been pushing the use of Onshape as an alternative platform since I started here at Nu-Way. When we do use it, it is for the complete development of an end product for a customer and all modeling and drawing generation is performed using it.
- Always on and available in any level of machine. No need for a workstation.
- Lack of files and need to manage same.
- Like the document approach where everything related to the project can be in a single logical container.
- Like the overall speed and lack of crashes or need to update.
- Like that it will import nearly anything. We often use it as a file translator for the SW folks.
- Like the constant development and frequent feature improvements.
- Really like the support. Nearly every time we need assistance with something and submit a ticket, there is a rep responding within literally, minutes. Best support in the business.
- Like the team too. Always easy to get in touch with and responsive to issues and or questions.
- Feature scripts. We don't yet program our own, but we do use those created by others. Having that ability really opens up what the tool can be if you can program it. I'm learning Python right now because I want to be able to dig into that side of the tool and see what I can do.
- Sheet metal tools. That is the number one issue holding back the wider deployment in our environment. As a sheet metal fabricator, that is the realm we work in 95% of the time, if not more.
- Maybe some additional mates like a center mate that would infer a center point between two other features.
- Faster performance. It has gotten noticeably faster over the last couple of years, but nobody ever complained about faster response times, so more is more.
February 21, 2022
Onshape for product development
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
We use Onshape for product development. Onshape has help us with agility of the product development since the beginning. It save us time and cost to fully develop our functional prototype, and now we are working towards production. We have developed full size functional prototype for a type of unmanned underwater vehicle with Onshape. We carried through conceptual design, finalized design and fabrication drawings, and BOM.
- Conveniently launched from web browser from anywhere in the world
- Cost is very low compared to other CAD software
- No crashes for large assemblies
- Revision feature is great for keep track of everything
- Rendering (new feature)
- small features in drawings that comply with drawing standards
- Built in BOM feature
February 17, 2022
The future of CAD
Onshape is our single source of truth for the specification of our standard products, custom products, and our projects. Onshape's cloud capabilities allow us to creatively develop our product without the struggles that come with traditional file management systems.
- Cloud Storage
- Collaboration
- Mechanical Design
- 2D Drawings
- CAM
December 23, 2021
Onshape from a sheet metal manufacturing point of view
We use Onshape to take customer designs and convert and break them down into manufacturable components. Most are sheet metal components that are placed into sheet metal templates [that] contain the bend calculations specific to our press brakes that generate the correct flat pattern to meet the formed dimensions specified by the customer.
- Multibody single part environment
- Don’t need to worry about hitting the save button, because there is none. All design elements are automatically stored and can be recovered at any time.
- Design on any device , even my phone.
- One mate relationships in assembly.
- Convert designs into sheet metal
- Cloud computing
- Some sheet metal functionality such as lofts
- Sketch in the drawing environment
- Formed sheet metal features such as louvers
December 23, 2021
Onshape ~ CAD for the companies of the future
Our design team of 12 professional CAD users needs to communicate design throughout our company and beyond to suppliers and customers. Onshape is ideal to easily and widely share CAD, yet retain secure permission-based access to data. For a company our size, the CAD administration team would usually be one or two full-time employees. With SaaS CAD, there is minimal administration and Onshape handles support questions. Onshape support is outstanding; they exceed my expectations every time!
- Collaboration
- Security
- User interface
- Improve granular data sharing
- Adding features for weldments, renders and simulations
- Expanding data management to include ECRs, ECOs
November 25, 2021
A CAD Tool Built for Modern Times
Onshape is my go-to CAD package for all of my projects. I use it at home on my Windows Desktop machine and bring a Chromebook with me to site visits and can access and edit my latest CAD without issues. Onshape has a basic PDM feature built into the standard tier, which allows for basic version control. I am using the Professional plan, which is a little more expensive but provides access to full release management. This is incredibly helpful for tracking production drawing and part releases, and tracking when parts were sent for prototyping. Since Onshape works in the Cloud, I can send view-only links to clients and give them access to the latest CAD files without having to export and share files via email or Google Drive. Multiple users can be actively working in the same Onshape document simultaneously, which is a revolution compared to older check-in check-out solutions, like Arena or Solidworks Vault. This allows for real-time collaboration, which is especially helpful when working remotely with a team.
- Parametric modeling
- Platform agnostic
- 3-Week update cycle
- File management
- Drawing tools are lacking some features.
- Occasional slowdowns resolve themselves after waiting a few minutes.
We use Onshape as our primary CAD system. All modeling and drawings are done in Onshape. Its cloud connectivity allows all laptops to process CAD instead of just workstations. The collaboration features allow easy sharing of models inside the group. We do not use the sharing outside the company often as it hasn't been fully accepted by industry partners, who prefer to send models back and forth. We use the drawings and release management to control manufacturing prints and revisions. It's basically completely replaced SOLIDWORKS for us.
- Excellent sharing capabilities
- Great live view during collaboration sessions
- Easiest multiple part modeling from a single sketch
- Onshape's drawings need additional features such as Chamfer dimensions.
- Onshape needs a native explosion view.
- Onshape's cloud connection and document loading could be faster.
March 02, 2019
On budget On time and On shape
At Kuhns Mfg we are moving from SOLIDWORKS to Onshape as our CAD platform. We are using it for any new projects that we take on. Because of the cloud based nature of the software it is very easy to share information with other departments and we plan to be using it to share information with vendors. One of the main reasons we switched was because of the incredibly collaborative nature of the software. It is seamless for other users to jump in to the same model at the same time. This is a huge difference from the previous problems we had with conflicting files with SOLIDWORKS.
- Collaboration. Multiple users can simultaneously view and edit the same model at the same time. This feature is even powerful enough that one user can "follow" another user as he manipulates and edits the model. The user that is following sees everything the other user does. This is useful when showing features or developing new ones. Onshape is commonly compared to Google Docs in it collaborative prowess.
- Information Management. Onshape does not use a traditional file structure for the information it handles. It is instead based on database infrastructure so it can easily handle concurrent users. There is also no need to save what you are working on because when you work, you are committing to a database. Literally everything you do is saved as you do it. Onshape can also handle traditional files so it is possible to store pictures and other documents along with the model and accompanying drawings.
- Ease of Access. Because Onshape is truly cloud based, it is possible to use any platform, including Apple and Android based mobile devices. Modern browsers can pretty easily handle the software on pretty much any fairly recent computer. Your internet connection doesn't even need to be that great for it to work well.
- Features. Onshape does not yet have feature parity with leading CAD software packages. That being said, they are on an aggressive development schedule and the team is quite capable of producing them. It is only a matter of time until this is no longer an issue.
January 08, 2018
Future of CAD
OnShape is being used by four members of our international engineering team for 3D CAD design, drawing creation and to share information with suppliers. It allows us to work between Europe and the US without having to worry about file management or expensive PDM software. We can also share designs with our service team members and suppliers, wherever they are in the world without hassle.
The subscription pricing plan is also very favorable for us. We can add additional team members without purchasing a $6k+ license, as with traditional CAD (SolidWorks). The annual cost is about the same as a subscription fee from a traditional VAR.
The subscription pricing plan is also very favorable for us. We can add additional team members without purchasing a $6k+ license, as with traditional CAD (SolidWorks). The annual cost is about the same as a subscription fee from a traditional VAR.
- Cloud based CAD - Since OnShape is cloud based there is no software to install, no files to manage, no saving and no old-version compatibility issues. These things take a great amount of time with traditional CAD systems. In my last year of using OnShape it may have only crashed 2-3 times, which I could quickly recover by hitting refresh. I have never lost any data working with OnShape.
- Frequent updates - OnShape releases updates every 3-4 weeks that add new features and functionality. It is becoming a very capable platform, with many fresh and innovative features that are already done much better than programs like SolidWorks.
- Standard components - A recently added feature for fasteners allows them to be added much faster than in any other CAD platform I have used!
- Customization of background colors, currently the only option is a white background, which is not always the best to look at for extended periods.
- Assembly configurations. At the time of writing OnShape has not added assembly configurations yet - which are very useful when designing industrial equipment for different markets.
- Performance and features on 2D drawings. While this is improved with almost every update, unlike the 3D CAD part of OnShape 2D drawings are not as responsive or as feature filled.
January 05, 2018
OnShape is the ideal solution for quickly prototyping by making revisions super simple
I use OnShape a lot personally as a quick way to iterate through designs for functional 3D printing and laser cutting. [For] Advanced students I show OnShape as the next step up from TinkerCAD because it allows much more accurate design and ease of making revisions.
- Allow for easy and fast design of functional parts that need to meet specific requirements
- Allows for easy iteration of designs with the timeline and ability to use variables
- Allows for easy use of multiple measurement systems - You can define a circle in mm and its distance in inches. And OnShape saves the formula and not just the value. So you can go back and change 1/2in to 1/4 in and not have to edit 0.5 to 0.25 (as a basic example)
- You can mix measurement systems and define a shape with something like 2 inches + 5mm
- Easy access to featurescripts that are useful should be more called out and described
- Quick export of designs for laser cutting without having to generate a drawing
- Formatted export of designs for laser cutting by designating various lines as certain colors and giving everything a stroke width of .001
January 02, 2018
Onshape - Excellent Cloud CAD Software
We use Onshape for all of our mechanical engineering purposes. It has great version history management and is easy to use across different platforms (iOS, Mac, pc, etc), and it's all cloud-based, so all of our info is synced across everyone's computers seamlessly and there isn't a check in/check out the procedure for accessing the workspace. Permissions are easily controlled so we can share parts with other people without fear of them changing anything by accident, or we can restrict their export privileges for confidentiality.
- It's always under development. I came from Solidworks and have used NX in the past, and while it might not be as powerful as NX, it feels right on par with Solidworks and goes far beyond in some cases. The development team welcomes feedback and directly incorporates it into the software when they're ready, so you don't have to wait for next year's version to come out before you see improvements.
- The cloud-based platform is excellent for collaboration. It takes time to figure out to set it up properly (personal preference, not Onshape setup), but we have a number of engineers working on a lot of isolated pieces that have to come together to form our product, but because everything is in the cloud, we can all look at each other's drawings and parts and incorporate them into our own workspaces so that we're sure we're using the right dimensions/features/etc.
- It has a lot of features. I was hesitant at first, but it's got a ton of features. I haven't found anything I wanted to do, but couldn't do because it was lacking the feature. They just added sheet metal support a few months ago, and they're adding more every day.
- This isn't an Onshape fault, but is inherent to anything cloud-based; if your internet goes down, Onshape goes down. We occasionally have internet problems and our whole mechanical team has to stop development when this happens. Not Onshape's fault, but it's something to be aware of.
- It's hard to complain about any features or lack thereof, because they're always updating them. I don't have anything bad to say!
December 19, 2017
Onshape vs Solidworks
Onshape is used for R&D on new products.
- Low price
- Easy to use
- Does not need a very powerful computer
- Drawing is difficult to use
- Configuration builder
- Center of gravity on assembly
December 19, 2017
Onshape is the leader in innovative professional CAD
We use Onshape in the engineering organization. The great thing about Onshape is that we can share our CAD information with anyone and receive feedback and they don't need to have an Onshape account. The biggest solution Onshape offers is professional grade, engineering CAD. It is used to create designs for tooling fixtures, production line layouts, and representative models of equipment on the manufacturing floor. It is a useful tool for communicating visual information to upper management when working on projects.
- One strength of Onshape is that it is truly portable. Onshape runs in a web browser, so it isn't tied to a specific computer and doesn't require specialized hardware. Also, Onshape has full CAD functionality in a mobile app as well, so I can take my designs on the production floor and edit them on my smartphone.
- Onshape also allows complete collaboration. Multiple designers/engineers/CAD users can be designing in the same workspace at the same time. Everything is updated in real time, so I always know what is happening and what changes are being made.
- Onshape can accept many different file types and can export the most common file types. There isn't any issue with file incompatibility, ever.
- Onshape is fairly new, so it is still adding features. There is a new, relevant update about every 3 weeks.
- Since Onshape is run in the cloud, if you lose internet connection, as my company does fairly frequently, you are stuck until connection is restored.
- There are some very useful features that other CAD systems have that Onshape hasn't yet implemented. The drawings in Onshape are the weakest point so far. There are many features that I would like to see implemented in drawings, but things are still in development.
- Because of how Onshape is written and run, it does not run in microsoft browsers.