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AI-Driven Parametric Design: The Next Frontier for Onshape?

arasaras Member Posts: 16 ✭✭

Hi everyone,

I’ve been using Onshape on and off for a while now, and its parametric design capabilities—especially the seamless integration of Features, Variables, and real-time collaboration are some of its really nice features. That said, I often wonder how much better this process could become with AI assistance. For instance, when iterating on complex assemblies or debugging feature tree errors, I catch myself thinking: Could an AI co-pilot help me navigate these challenges faster?

While AI tools are making waves in rendering and simulation, their potential in parametric CAD workflows feels underexplored. Onshape’s cloud-native architecture and version-controlled design history seem like the perfect foundation for AI integration. Imagine an AI agent that could:

  • Automate tedious tasks: Clean up redundant features in a bloated Part Studio or optimize variable relationships for performance.
  • Troubleshoot errors: Diagnose failed constraints or dangling references in assemblies and suggest fixes (e.g., “Sketch2 is under-constrained—apply symmetry to these lines”).
  • Interpret intent: Convert text prompts like “Create a vent pattern that reduces weight by 20%” into parametric feature trees or configure Design Tables dynamically.

Questions for the Community:

  1. Are there existing AI tools or experiments that enhance parametric modeling in Onshape? For example, plugins that auto-generate features or optimize design tables?
  2. How could AI reshape your workflow? Would it help newcomers grasp parametric logic, or empower experts to tackle more ambitious projects?
  3. What should Onshape prioritize in AI development? A few ideas:
    • AI-assisted sketch constraint resolution.
    • Generative design tools that output editable feature trees.
    • Natural language-to-parametric-modeling (e.g., “Add fillets to all edges >5mm”).

I’d love to hear your thoughts on where AI could make the biggest impact!

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