Onshape User Groups - I'm Here to Help

richard_doyle

Hi Everyone,

I’d like to introduce myself – I am Richard Doyle, and I’ve been in the mechanical engineering field for what feels like all my life.  I’m a veteran of several CAD systems, and I’ve worked on rapid prototyping equipment, truck mounted cranes, tablet computers, and small consumer products.  I love the design and documentation process - I crank out engineering drawings with glee, modeling makes me giddy, and I know that 5/16” should be entered as .3125, not .313.

But my real passion is the CAD Community.  I’ve got a little bit of experience supporting local user group chapters, and I will be working with the Onshape team to form the basis of a new user group network for you.

User groups are a valuable resource, and are formed to help you learn new techniques, share ideas, and most of all, to help you build your network.  I’ve seen firsthand what belonging to a local user group can do for your career.

I’d like to hear from you.  What would you like to see in the Onshape User Group Network?  What are the main reasons you would attend a user group meeting?  Evenings or afternoons?

I could throw out a more questions, but I’d rather just hear from you.

What would make for a great Onshape User Group?

Richard

adrian_vlzkz

I think since Onshape is all about being on the Cloud and accessibility and Onshape User Group should ALWAYS be available to participate Online. A live-stream setup or something. I understand the value and benefit of meeting peers in person, but Onshape is about the future.

A library of Live presentations at different presentations should also be available from User Groups around the world, in multiple languages

sebastian_glanzner

Let's meet in Magic Leap once it is released 

richard_doyle

adrian_vlzkz said:

I think since Onshape is all about being on the Cloud and accessibility and Onshape User Group should ALWAYS be available to participate Online. A live-stream setup or something. I understand the value and benefit of meeting peers in person, but Onshape is about the future.

A library of Live presentations at different presentations should also be available from User Groups around the world, in multiple languages

Thanks Adrian.  I'm not sure I agree that user group meetings should always allow participation online, but I can envision having presentations from the meetings available afterward.  We'll also look at live broadcasting segments of some meetings, and we may try out an online meeting or two.

But if "the future" means that we never even get the chance to meet some of our fellow designers and engineers in person, well, that's not the kind of future I look forward to.  I've made many professional connections that helped elevate my career, and a lot of those people have also become close friends.  That would not have been likely if I had simply met them online.

You can't break bread or shake hands with an avatar.

Richard

john_mcclary

I don't know, some of my closest friends I've met online and are in different states. Going on 8 years still talk every day.

Although I'm a millennial PC MMORPG gamer introvert.. so it's like.. da way..

If there are folks around Grand Rapids, MI I'd like to have a few drinks and chat CAD. But so far I only know of one other Onshaper near here

richard_doyle

I know, it's tough to get you young'ens out in public 

If the chance to see fellow Onshape user presentations (tips and tricks are popular at UG meetings), meet members of the Onshape team, or learn about Partner products isn't enough to draw you out, how about.....free pizza and Red Bull?

Richard

john_mcclary

like I said I want to participate, but I'm not sure I'd be able to meet due to location 

homebrewdesign

I'd be for something in the evenings. Seems like a good way to network and possibly learn some new skills that I'm lacking. I've been hunting for a new job and I would really like to not give up using Onshape, but I only know of one other company in my immediate area that is currently using or involved with it. There were around 10 people that showed up for the Onshape event here a couple months back. I think I was the only actual user though, everyone else was just learning about it. Also free pizza sounds good, you can keep the Red Bull though.

michael_bromley

I would definitely be interested in a meet up in some capacity.  As others have mentioned, evenings or weekends work best for me.  The potential for networking is always a bonus.