Onshape Quick Start Guide

Onshape Quick Start Guide

New User

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Getting Started

Onshape has a great tutorials section to get familiar with the platform. This guide breaks down which tutorials to complete based on your experience level and role in the MDT (Module Development Team).

The complete list can be found here.

• Role-Specific Recommendations
• Experience Levels
• Team Collaboration Tips
• Need Additional Help?

Role-Specific Recommendations

Non-ME Members

For those who just need to check measurements, wire routing paths, etc:

Essential Training:

1. Navigating Onshape - Learn the basics
2. Navigating a Document - Access team models

Key Skills to Practice:

• Using the measure tool to determine distances and clearances
• Working with section views to see internal routing paths
• Using the assembly explode feature to understand component relationships
• Accessing Part Studio information without accidentally modifying designs

Mechanical Designers

For members actively designing rover components:

Complete Learning Path:

• Follow the full Onshape Fundamentals pathway in order
• Pay extra attention to Multi-Part Part Studios and Linked Documents

Experience Levels

Complete Beginner (No CAD experience)

If you've never used CAD software before:

1. Must Complete:

   • Navigating Onshape - Learn the interface basics
   • Navigating a Document - Essential for working with team files
   • Introduction to Sketching - Foundation skill

2. Recommended Next:

   • Onshape Hands-On Test Drive - Guided practical experience
   • Introduction to Part Studios - Learn basic modeling

Intermediate (Some CAD experience)

If you've used other CAD programs but are new to Onshape:

1. Start Here:

   • 10 Essential Onshape Tips - Quick orientation
   • Navigating a Document - Learn Onshape-specific workflows

2. Key Skills:

   • Multi-Part Part Studios - Different from traditional CAD
   • Onshape Assemblies - Learn Onshape's mating system
   • Collaboration in Onshape - Essential for team projects

Advanced (Mechanical Design Lead)

For team members responsible for managing major assemblies:

1. Must Complete:
   • Document Management - Keep complex projects organized
   • Branching and Merging - Critical for parallel design work
   • Document History and Versions - Version control
   • Maximizing Document Performance - Rover models get complex

Team Collaboration Tips

1. Accessing the URC CAD:

   • URC team leads will send you document access links
   • Use "View-only" access for reference (EEs, integration team)
   • Only edit in your assigned subsystem areas

2. Getting Measurements:

   • Use the measure tool (M key) to check dimensions
   • Create section views to see inside assemblies
   • Add comments with questions by right-clicking and selecting "Add Comment"

3. Best Practices:

   • Always work in the correct workspace branch
   • Add clear comments when making significant changes
   • Use the version history to track changes

Need Additional Help?

• Ask your MDT lead
• Post questions in the the Discord
• Reference the full Onshape Learning Center