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Best Of
Introducing - The Onshape Desktop Client
You asked, and we answered!
Now available from SmartBench Software - the industry leaders in Onshape automation, integrations, and FeatureScript - the world's first Onshape Desktop Client.
The Onshape Desktop Client [ a SmartBench experience ] has been a passion project for us, combining our expertise in the Onshape API and interest in porting new software to outdated technology.
This new, yet somewhat derivative, tool features:
Unexpected Crashes
When was the last time Onshape crashed on you? Maybe never! As a result, your CAD can no longer be an excuse for missing deadlines. The Onshape Desktop client introduces random crashes that absolutely ensure data loss. As part of this desktop specific error logging, we encourage users to ship their laptop to our headquarters in order to replicate the issues. In the event of extreme cases - we will ship users a developer’s computer because “it works on my machine”.
We also included a convenient “Uninstall” button so that users can more easily ditch their Desktop CAD and move to the cloud. We’re hoping this button becomes a trend in the industry.
A Vintage User Interface
Bringing you the best of Windows XP styling, the Onshape Desktop Client is made exclusively with Microsoft Winforms. That's right, the Onshape Desktop Client is built on a technology older than your newest hires. That nostalgic look will trigger all those memories of looking at loading bars, while you look at loading bars. And for those junior designers, this client will provide a bit of a history lesson in how things use to be "in the good ol days".
Slower Load Times
Did you know Onshape doesn’t even have a loading time estimate? Unbelievable. With the Onshape Desktop Client, we had to create a proprietary file format to replace all that cloud-interconnected-fileless-data just to work with the version history graph. As a result, our slower load times ensure that you will get plenty of coffee breaks during the day. To aid in opening very large and difficult assemblies, we've also introduced 13 different assembly view modes so you can mix and match performance and usability. Introducing the lightweight assembly mode, flyweight assembly mode, super lightweight assembly mode, featherweight assembly mode, and more. We recommend spending a few days testing each one to figure out how you can even get your assembly to open.
More Menus - More Value
In order to keep the interface clear from clutter, we’ve leveraged the Winforms menu technology to give an incredible 7 layers of menus. While they can be a bit finicky, we can assure you that the feature you are looking for is there somewhere.
The Onshape Desktop Installer
Picture this - it's your first day at a new job. It’ll be easy; you’re going to spend all day getting your new laptop setup. Except, the company uses Onshape! There's no installation, your account is set up in under 5 minutes. It's 9:10am and you’re now expected to do actual work.
The Onshape Desktop Client is here to help! Downloading and installing the desktop client takes so long, you’ll likely be promoted before it even finishes. With an average install time of 92 hours, starting on a Friday means you won’t even have to show up on Monday. And the best part? With Onshape updates rolling out every 3 weeks, the Onshape desktop client needs to be reinstalled 16 times per year! I hope you budgeted for extra hard drive space, as these downloads are beefy. While this is an offline ready client - it will still require a mostly constant internet access for license checks and downloading of files.
System Requirements
While Onshape is supported by Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome, and probably smart fridges, we weren't able to get the same compatibility with the Onshape Desktop Client.
- Only available for Windows Vista - 32 bit
- 64gb of RAM
- 12 Qubits of quantum computing power
- 3kw power supply
- 10gb of something
- A Graphics card from our pre-approved list
- Requires Microsoft Excel 2007 to be installed
- A specifically 1080p monitor connected at all times
Competitive Pricing
You can now buy the Onshape Desktop Client exclusively through mail order with expedited shipping (3-4 weeks, 5-7 overseas). Pricing available after purchase.
Keep an eye out for the Onshape Desktop Client service pack 2, expected to arrive sometime in August, but until then keep submitting those "business critical" bug reports, someone might actually read them!
We want to hear from you! What features are you excited to see in the Onshape Desktop Client?
BOM CSV "Export Rules"
We have decent control of export rules for actual document tabs but not for BOMs. Currently the export names the file the same as the tab itself. If we have configurations that have configured property names, the BOM should be able to export with THOSE names instead of the same name over and over, causing the computer OS to concatenate (1), (2), (3), etc onto the end.
Re: Mating vs instances
I can think of a few reasons why that might be done.
- The assembly looks exactly like the parts studio so all is inserted a the same time but provides a BOM. Better to use insert part studio as rigid. and fix one of the parts so that nothing moves.
- Once any moving parts are added then mates must be used to keep the rest in place and animate functions. Looks odd if the gear box rotates around a gear.
- Assembly is done quickly for display/sample and mates can be done later.
- There are some that don't understand what mates are so they are not using them. If one of or all of parts are left loose they can be moved by accident and can be a bit confusing to put back in place. Best option is the learning center and some study time. You can get away with this for simple arrangements but once the assembly size grows or multiple instances of the same part are needed in one assembly it will become a huge problem. Moving parts in an assembly are impossible without mate. If fix is not applied to one of the parts the whole assembly can be displaced.
Re: Bug? How to drive sub assembly configuration variables (string)?
Same exact real world use case here but for colorway management. We have catalog components that clients are allowed to specify custom paint colors for and creating a new explicit table entry and SKU in a configuration window for every possible pantone paint color is not realistic nor what I would consider to be correct document control. We have a part studio level configuration variable driving a hex color code script which partially covers this use case but it does not propagate up the assembly levels. Numeric parameters pass correctly but this is a case where I need the text expression to be able to drive hex values from 0-F
Global assembly level control over text embossing is another valuable use case for us as well.
Re: Creating A folder within a document from the API
As far as I know there is no way to make folders inside of documents with the API.
I don't think theres even an API to get the folders or their contents inside documents.
Closest work around I could think of would be to have a template document in your Onshape with the structure you want, and then duplicate that document. But theres no really great way of launching that api call. The document list/info panel contexts require selecting another document - which is both weird and annoying if have an empty folder. Maybe that is less annoying than manually making that document structure.
This is common enough that I'd really like to see Onshape have a "Create > Document from template" option.
Re: pins feature script - could someone check it?
You'll need to increment i, probably at around line 109 or so? Just insert i+=1;
But you'll also need remove the "MaxNumberOfPicks" : 1 in line 33 to make it work for multiple vertex selections
Video tutorial: Working with 3D scans
Hey everyone, I've been spending time working with meshes and have a few videos lined up on the topic. The first one is ready today! It walks through my process for scanning an object, then modeling on top of that scan to create a 3D printed part that fits it perfectly. The future videos will cover some new custom features I've been developing for mesh work.
https://youtu.be/rscjUkmr-8g
EvanReese
Re: Bug? How to drive sub assembly configuration variables (string)?
Thank you @MichaelPascoe and @Derek_Van_Allen_BD — this is helpful.
Re: New Login Screen, Citrus Circuits, FIRST Robotics
Hi there, Citrus Circuits Head Coach Mike Corsetto here!
I want to thank @IgnacioMartos and @DrewB_PTC for helping make this login screen possible. Our students were thrilled to have this opportunity to showcase their hard work to the entire Onshape community.
For some background, Citrus Circuits is a team of over 100 high school students and nearly 20 coaches from Davis, California. Our design subteam consists of nearly twenty 9-12 grade students who divide up the robot by subsystem and collaborate to design, prototype and build each part of the robot. The feature image shared above was generate by our senior Design Lead, Emma, and every subsystem shown was designed in Onshape by this amazing group of high school students.
The 2025 season has been incredible so far, Citrus Circuits has won all three of our regional events we've attended this season, including our event this past weekend where we set the World High Score. You can watch our robot compete on the red alliance in this match, look for the "1678" on the bumpers: https://youtu.be/fHMbXjOybrM?si=NTMFoqlNx5wYpvjc
This is our 7th season using Onshape, and what we've accomplished would not be possible without this amazing software. We look forward to continuing to train more students in cutting edge CAD through Onshape.
-Mike
Re: I have imac and can not figure out how to pan and move my view point
No need to thumbs down me for information that you failed to provide, which is that your using a Magic Mouse…
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With that information in mind, here's some important steps I recommend for CAD use:
- Open your browser.
- Navigate to here, and click the purchase button.
- When it arrives, go to the nearest waste bin.
- Carefully toss the magic mouse into the waste bin.
- Enjoy the industry standard CAD mouse rated highly by most Onshape users. Best CAD Mouse Forum Post
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