ONSHAPE
Onshape is a cloud-based design tool that offers a unique approach to computer-aided design. It allows engineers, designers, and creators like yourselves to work collaboratively on projects from any device with an internet connection. With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive feature set, Onshape provides a parametric modeling platform for designing, modifying, and sharing 3D models. Whether you're a beginner or have previous CAD experience, Onshape offers a seamless and accessible environment to bring your creative ideas to life. So, let's delve into the world of Onshape together and discover the tools and capabilities it offers for designing with precision and efficiency.
Onshape Set Up & Basics
Document Set Up
Clicking on the three horizontal bars in the top left of your document in Onshape will open up a menu where you can set some important paramotors for your drawing like units and properties. Be sure you have these things set to your specfications before actually starting to design anything. This will ensure that everything comes out the way you want them to.
Adding More Tabs
Towards the bottom of the left side of the page there is a plus sign. When you click there are quite a few more options to start new tabs in your drawing. This is where you start a new part studio, drawing sheets, and where you import outside documentation.
Orientation Through The View Cube (UCS)
If you understand how the standard views of an orthographic projection are developed you are well on your way to understanding the views presented through the view cube, also known as UCS which stands for user coordinate system. When working in 2D projections you develop views that would be as if you are staring directly at a face of your model. The standard views of front, right side, and top, are views you can click on the view cube and your model space will orbit so that you are looking down at that view. You can also click on the corners of the cube so that you are looking at your model in an isometric view.
These views also act as planes that become the surface that you can draw on. They all intersect at the origin point which can also be thought of as the start of the X, Y, Z axis's. One of these planes are where you will begin the first sketch of your drawing.
Hot Keys & Shortcuts
As with all good CAD software Onshape has shortcuts for the most common commands that can all be found under the question mark found in the top right. Also, by hitting the S key at any time some of your most used features will pop up next to your mouse cursor.