SolidWorks
and Solid Edge have been rolled out in 1996, Microsoft was then in the midst of
taking over the world of computing with Windows 95 operating system. For the
pioneers CAD systems it was an opportunity to run, for the first time a modern
looking, robust and easy to use 3D CAD system on a cheap home PC. Twenty years
later, and Windows is no longer the dominant operating system it was , Android, iOS, Linux, etc. are everywhere
and the keyword in recent years is cloud computing. Most of us are already using cloud computing
every day. Google services, Facebook, LinkedIn and most email services are
cloud.
3D
CAD cloud computing is not a new thing, Autodesk offers many services in the
cloud for several years. AutoCAD 2D cloud platform (AutoCAD 360) and Fusion 360
offers impressive capabilities. SolidWorks has at least two active Cloud
Computing projects and SOLIDWORKS Mechanical Conceptual is at the market for over a year now.
Six
months ago, I have been asked by Onshape to try the early version and give
feedback on the performance in Israel, a relatively remote location for the
servers. I will try here to answer some intriguing questions about the program.
Since this is still in beta and because the company ensures they will add new
capabilities very soon, I cannot still find it appropriate to compare it to
other programs in terms of capabilities.
Why
Onshape so interesting?
Two
main reasons:
A. Onshape
is the first new history base CAD system since Autodesk Inventor from 2000!
B.
The team behind Onshape is the same team that built the most successful solid
modeler ever - SolidWorks.
What
is Onshape?
In
short - a combination of Google Docs and SolidWorks in the cloud.
And
in a few sentences:
A 3D
CAD design cloud software for parts and assemblies, a history base solid modeler
with direct editing capabilities. The software runs on cloud servers without
any local installation on the user's machine so it works from the web browser
without using files.
Onshape
came with PDM capabilities (product management). The system can open, edit and
save-to the most common CAD files including native files (without history)
Onshape
allows several users access the same project simultaneously Online! And simultaneous
changes are updated on all computers!
Who
it is suitable?
Anyone
who needs a 3D design engineering CAD for sharing and examination of
.
Anyone
familiar with SolidWorks software, Inventor, Solid Edge, Creo etc., can
use Onshape immediately and without difficulty. The interface is clear and
simple and method of work is reminiscent of a mix between Inventor to
SolidWorks. For example, to extrude sketch you can choose between add or remove
material at the same command window (Inventor style). As in SolidWorks, the
software is based on Parasolid kernel and D-cubed constrain manager, both from
Siemens.
Users
who are not experienced with Solid software will find that Onshape is a great way to
start learning. The software does not require powerful and expensive computer,
nor installation, and the UI is simple and clear. There are guides and detailed
training videos and an active forums with employees happy to help and discuss on
any topic.
Onshape
would like to integrate near existing CAD systems at organization that already
use 3D CAD and not necessarily replace them. For example, Onshape user can open
Catia files, make changes and save to SolidWorks for detailing, documentation
and so. Onshape can replace eDrawing and do a much better job in sharing projects with a client who has a different CAD system.
What
is the price?
The
business model is simple. The basic is free with 5GB limited storage and 5 active
projects.
$
100 Monthly payment will remove the limitations.
Can
Onshape repeat the SolidWorks success?
Yes,
because...
·
There is a need for a cloud
CAD software. Autodesk Fusion 360 does not do it right, and no one else offer a
professional solution today
·
It works. SolidWroks been trying for seven years to come
out with a cloud solution but just could not get acceptable performance.
Onshape product works well from the start.
·
There is great demand to software among CAD users who do not want or cannot spend thousands of dollars to
own a software.
·
There is a need for real time sharing CAD information
·
The team behind the highly
skilled and talented software already did it at least once.
No,
because...
·
$
100 a month for a software without drawing, simulation, Render,
sheet metal and so? INVENTOR and two SOLIDs
cost the same (yearly subs) with a lot more proven capabilities developed over
more than 15 years.
·
Not everyone can or are
willing to entrust their precious CAD files on the cloud server of a foreign
company.
·
When SolidWorks entered the
market, the founders were in their early thirties, young, full of motivation
and with a desire to kick the industry in the butt. They develop the software
for the young engineers who could not afford to own the expensive Pro/e. Now, 20 years later, the SolidWorks founder
team is the veteran CAD industry. When SolidWorks came out
with SW 95, it was a breath of fresh air. Jon
Hirschtick and his team broke the barrier on how a professional CAD
software should look and feel. Instead of black, SolidWorks background was white,
like MS Word, the mouse indicator was a cross, It was an interactive indicator
like any decent office software. The price was lower than a 2D AutoCAD, in a
single package without additional charge for modules, the API was free and new
version release cycle was 6 month. Onshape missed some of the free spirit SW had.
·
They do not have Mr. Vic Leventhal inboard! Vic, with tons of
charm, arrived to SolidWorks from the largest Autodesk distributor and built
the best distribution network in the industry! SolidWorks owes its success to
the VAR channel around the world. Onshape was born to a different reality. It is
almost impossible to build a new channel today and therefore, they waive mediation
and sell directly over the Internet. But, with a price tag over $
1,000 a year for an yet to be prove solution, the customers may hesitate before
purchasing. Competitor's skilled sales representative can take opportunity to
make a sale over a passive Web site.
Never the less,
the future belongs to CAD in the cloud. Onshape is not the first but, the
first to get it right. The question is whether they can take the market or, maybe the future is up to a bunch of talented young entrepreneurs that are working right now on an innovative
and advanced software. Or, maybe the CAD veterans, Dassault, PTC Autodesk can
re-invented themselves?
In
the meantime, if you've read this far you owe it to yourself to go and try the software. It's free, it's
fun and it's the future.
Gal
Raz
