SolidWorks® vs. Onshape® – Software Comparison
SolidWorks® and Onshape® are both computer-aided design (CAD) software that allows engineers and manufacturers to draw 2D and 3D models and simulate their designs as drawings, parts, or assemblies. SolidWorks is the more established software with a larger market share that uses device-based software with more functionality and processing power than Onshape. Onshape is a newer CAD software that is generally regarded as cheaper and more user-friendly. Onshape uses a cloud-based platform, which enables better collaboration and allows models to be accessed from multiple devices.
What Is SolidWorks?
SolidWorks is CAD software that can be used to create 2D drawings, 3D parts, and assemblies. SolidWorks is also known as computer-aided engineering software as it can also perform functions such as finite element analysis (FEA) by which a computer can simulate how a design will respond to loading.
What Is Onshape?
Onshape is a CAD software system that is predominantly cloud-based. Onshape can be used to create 2D drawings, as well as 3D parts, and 3D assemblies. The unique feature of Onshape is that it is cloud-based which means all of the processing is done by cloud computing. Being cloud-based also means that Onshape documents are live and can be modified by more than one person at once.
SolidWorks vs. Onshape – Use Cases and Applications
Both SolidWorks and Onshape are used by engineers, designers, and manufacturers to create 2D drawings and 3D models. SolidWorks has specific functionality that is better suited for aerospace, construction, marine and offshore, transportation, and industrial equipment. In comparison, the functionality of Onshape is better suited to the automotive, electronics, machinery, medical, and energy industries. The main selling point for Onshape, however, is its cloud-based collaboration, which enables multiple users to access and modify models from different devices simultaneously.
SolidWorks vs. Onshape – System Requirements
SolidWorks is a file-based system that is installed on the computer you use to access SolidWorks. This means you will need a powerful computer that can handle the processing requirements of the application. Comparatively, Onshape is a cloud-based application, which means it can be accessed with any device with an internet connection, including a desktop, laptop, or phone. However, this means an internet connection is always required for access.
What Is the Operating System of SolidWorks and Onshape?
SolidWorks is much more limited in its choice of operating systems, as it can only be used on Windows, whereas Onshape is compatible with iOS, Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows. The advantage of being cloud-based is that Onshape can be accessed from different devices with different operating systems.
What Is the Minimum Memory of SolidWorks and Onshape?
The amount of memory required for SolidWorks will vary depending on the SolidWorks system being used. There are three tiers of SolidWorks systems: for a basic system, 8 GB of memory is required; for an intermediate system, 16 GB; and for an advanced system, 32 GB is needed. This is different from Onshape, which is run online. Onshape can be run on any device with any storage capacity, as long as it has an internet connection.
What Are the Supported File Formats for SolidWorks and Onshape?
SolidWorks saves files natively as one of the following: SLDPRT, SLDASM, SLDDRW, or SLDDRT. However, SolidWorks can also import and export files in over 30 different file types with the use of Spatial’s 3D InterOp tool. The most common neutral file formats used to import or export are IGES, STEP, or STL. Onshape files are stored on a cloud service, so the file format is not important. Onshape can also import files from universal formats such as ACIS, JT, STEP, IGES, Parasolid, OBJ, and STL.
SolidWorks vs. Onshape – User Experience
The user experience of Onshape is generally rated to be better because it is easier to use day to day. This is because Onshape files are stored in the cloud meaning users do not have to have very expensive hardware to operate it and can access their files from any device. On the other hand, SolidWorks is a better experience for professional CAD users who model complex shapes.
Learning Curve of SolidWorks and Onshape
While both SolidWorks and Onshape perform similar tasks, Onshape is generally considered easier to learn due to its intuitive, cloud-based interface. However, this simplicity comes at the cost of reduced functionality compared to SolidWorks, which is better suited for complex modeling. There is a trade-off, however, as Onshape is more limited in what it can do due to this limited functionality and built-in assumptions.
Is SolidWorks Easier Than Onshape?
No, SolidWorks is not generally considered easier than Onshape. This is because Onshape has slightly more limited features, which means there are some built-in assumptions on which the system operates. This makes it easier for a novice to pick up and use. In certain situations in which the user is trying to model a more complex part, SolidWorks could be easier as it has more features. These enable the user to achieve better what they want to model.
SolidWorks vs. Onshape – Application Stability
The lag and crashes experienced by SolidWorks and Onshape will vary as they work in different ways. SolidWorks uses device-based software, which takes a lot of processing to run, especially for more demanding tasks. The amount of lag and crashes will vary depending on the device used. That being said, if the device has sufficient power, lag and crashes in SolidWorks can be minimal. The problem with SolidWorks is that if it crashes, work can be lost. With Onshape, the processing power is not a concern as the processing is done in the cloud. This means crashes are less likely to happen, and if the device crashes, the data remains securely saved on the cloud server. Onshape can, however, experience lag with a poor internet connection.
SolidWorks vs. Onshape – Customer Support
SolidWorks is a large, established software, so its customer support is primarily provided by resellers, leading to variability in support quality. Therefore, the support will vary depending on the reseller. Currently, Onshape is a newer software with fewer users, which means that requests made by end users to Onshape seem to be taken on board and result in changes to the software. SolidWorks, however, is too large now to be agile enough to respond to its community quickly. This means currently that Onshape will generally have better customer support.
SolidWorks vs. Onshape – Community
When it comes to community support, there is information out there on both. However, due to SolidWorks’s age and its higher market share, there is more information on how to use it. Both have their forums run by their company, as well as Reddit pages and YouTube channels for support. However, there is more help with SolidWorks.
SolidWorks vs. Onshape – Price
The price of Onshape is much lower than SolidWorks. Even though SolidWorks offers more functions than Onshape, the better value for money is generally Onshape. However, if your application requires more functionality then there are just some things that Onshape can’t do. It is also important to note that Onshape incurs fewer additional costs during its subscription because work is automatically saved in the cloud even if a computer crashes or files are unsaved.
Other Alternatives to SolidWorks and Onshape
There are many alternatives to SolidWorks and Onshape, many of which will be very similar at a basic level and will vary more as the functions become more complex. Alternatives include AutoCAD®, CATIA®, Autodesk Inventor®, and Altium®. AutoCAD® is best for creating 2D drawings but is more limited than other software for 3D drawings. CATIA® is best known for its ability to handle complex designs and its advanced capabilities. However, it is less user-friendly. Autodesk Inventor® is best known for its 2D and 3D design for mechanical engineering applications. Altium® is CAD software specifically for printed circuit board design.
Summary
This article presented SolidWorks and Onshape, explained each of them, and discussed how each software works. To learn more about 3D printing software, contact a Xometry representative.
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