Part Design

Onshape delivers collaborative parametric modeling methods for solid, surface, frame, and sheet metal part designs.

What is a parametric design?

Parametric design is a process that enables the expression of parameters and rule-defining relationships among design elements. It's widely used in engineering and design, allowing for the rapid generation and modification of complex geometries and structures. This design method hinges on the principle that changing a parameter updates the design automatically, thereby enhancing efficiency and versatility in the design process. This is taken a step further with the Onshape “Part Studio” approach, where part relationships can be made in a cohesive and flexible manner.

Key Features

Part Studio Benefits

Onshape's Part Studios environment enhances parametric design, enabling the creation and editing of parts, surfaces, and sketches. It simplifies early design stages by using a single parametric history for reliable part relationships, facilitating top-down design. Parts from Part Studios integrate seamlessly into assemblies, BOMs, Release Management, and more.

Custom Features

Speed up your design process with Custom Features in Onshape. Automate complex or repetitive tasks using features written in FeatureScript. Create your own or integrate others into your toolbar for team-wide use.

Robust Features

Onshape's robust parametric design features streamline your workflow by performing multiple operations in one, cutting down on feature count. Choose features for solid, surface, frame, sheet metal design, and more as your product comes to fruition. Then easily preview a change's impact on the model before committing.

Risk-Free Design

Onshape's built-in PDM enables collaborative Part Studio design in real-time,  while branch and merge and the “infinite undo” abilities support risk-free experimentation. Only Onshape provides a genuine cloud-native experience for product development to ensure design optimization.

Mixed Modeling

Discover the versatility of Onshape's Mixed Modeling, a powerful tool blending parametric and direct modeling. Effortlessly switch between methods to suit your design needs, enhancing flexibility and efficiency. Ideal for both precise, rule-based work, and quick intuitive modifications, Onshape's Mixed Modeling unifies your design process in a single environment. Perfect for engineers and designers seeking agile, adaptable modeling solutions.

Let’s Get Technical: Transitioning to Onshape from SOLIDWORKS

Answers to the 10 most common questions asked when transitioning to Onshape from SOLIDWORKS

ebook mockup cover

Learn how easy Parts Design in Onshape can be

The Learning Center is the destination for anyone seeking comprehensive, interactive training, offering a blend of self-paced learning, instructor-led courses, and hands-on exercises to enhance your design skills.

Got Questions?

For more answers or to ask a question yourself head over to the Onshape Forum.

Parts may be exported to standard formats like Parasolid, ACIS, STEP, STEP AP242, IGES, SOLIDWORKS, Collada, Rhino, JT, PVZ, and GLTF. In addition, OBJ and STL formats are available, but not recommended if further design work is required.

Yes, you can import non-CAD files like PDFs and images. Onshape handles them the same way as it does with imported CAD files. When you import from the Documents page, the imported file is placed in a new Document. When you import from within a Document, the imported file is placed in a tab within the Document.

Data from most systems import via a universal format like ACIS, JT, STEP, IGES, Parasolid, OBJ, or STL. For AutoCAD solids, the best import format is ACIS, and all 2D data is imported to DWG or DXF. If importing a single design from SOLDIWORKS, it is recommended to save the part as a Parasolid (.x_t). If you're importing a SOLIDWORKS assembly, use the Pack & Go tool.

Yes! Often times, users may need to use mathematical operations to generate curves. Onshape can generate equation-driven curves using a publicly available custom feature.

Yes, you can! Most any CAD system can export sketches to DWG or DXF files. These can then be imported into Onshape to reuse legacy sketch data.

Yes. The mouse settings for Rotate, Constrained Rotate, Pan, and Zoom can be set to mimic those found in SOLIDWORKS, NX 10, Creo, and AutoCAD. Learn more here.
Azizi Tucker Co-Founder & CTO XING Mobility

Onshape’s FeatureScript is game-changing for us. This is something I've never seen in any other CAD system. Our software engineers can create our own custom CAD features that are unique and suited just for our applications.

Get your products to market faster, safer, and more efficiently.