Reuben Stafford

reuben_stafford

I'm new to Onshape and just wondering is it as good as Solidworks and is the program used by machines in the manufacturing process?

mahir

OS is definitely lacking some features that more mature CAD programs have, but it has solid core features, quick development/enhancement timeline, and most importantly is completely in the cloud. The pros are significant enough for me to use it when a project allows. As for machines using OS, check out the appstore. There are a handful of CAM programs that work with OS.

coleman

@reuben_stafford

In comparing SW and OS it is important to keep things in proper context: SW is decades old & onshape is an infant.  

Even in its infancy, in some ways onshape is superior to sw:

• data management
• multi part design 
• workflow 
• over all user experience 

The advantages onshape has are at the foundation.
Eventually onshape will catch up in terms of features and functionality.    
Today however, sw has many many many more features than os....its not even close. 

Onshape is the future in my opinion.  
I thought it best to get on board now and learn the application while it is still young and a work in process as opposed to jumping in a few years from now and starting from scratch. 

michael3424

What do you mean by "is the program used by machines in the manufacturing process"?

I use STEP files exported by Onshape as inputs to my CAM software to create programs for CNC machining.  Is that similar to what you want to do?