Item: Onshape
Rating: 9
Author: Brian Falther

Overall Satisfaction with Onshape

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We're using Onshape to design critical components of our system, conduct high-level FEA analysis (using a plugin), and to run simulations for component/assembly integrations from multiple different suppliers. We also use the software to generate .stl files for 3D printing functional components for our robotics and automation systems.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Fantastic that it's browser-based
Love the iPhone app (can actually model and the interface is super intuitive)
Works great with multiple users in the same model
Revision control is easy and straightforward

Cons

Lag in the browser can cause models to take longer than desired to load

Return on Investment

It's allowed for rapid iterative design, no matter where our engineers are located (because of the browser-based access)
Cost per year per user is competitive to alternative options

Alternatives Considered

SOLIDWORKS and PTC Creo

We chose Onshape for a couple of reasons - the first is pricing. We were looking for a light-weight program that packs a heavyweight punch. The ability to access from any computer (Mac or PC) from anywhere is ultimately what sealed the deal for us. For our needs, there wasn't anything that Onshape couldn't accomplish.

Likelihood to Recommend

Onshape is well suited for 3D design from the ground up. One scenario we've run into is when we import step files - the software doesn't easily allow for changes to be made to those models. If it is possible - it's not intuitive. Usually will have to take measurement within the program to re-draw from the ground up.

Comments

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Onshape: With you wherever you go.