PTC has announced new model-based definition (MBD) capabilities within Onshape, claiming it as the first MBD offering within a cloud-native CAD and PDM solution.
The new MBD abilities will allow teams to create a complete digital definition of a product by embedding all common product manufacturing information (PMI) directly into the 3D CAD model, including dimensions, tolerances, annotations, surface finishes, material specifications, and more.
Cloud-native MBD in Onshape is currently in an early visibility program with select customers and is expected to be generally available later this year.
“Even with the widespread adoption of 3D CAD, most manufacturing teams still rely on 2D drawings to communicate critical dimensions, tolerances, and annotations. This disconnect often leads to miscommunication and delays,” said Onshape and Arena GM David Katzman.
“Our new MBD capabilities remove the need to interpret 2D drawings by embedding PMI directly into the 3D model. This will enable teams to work faster, with greater clarity and fewer errors, while allowing a full digital end-to-end process. And because Onshape is cloud-native, this information is instantly accessible to everyone who needs it, from any device and any location. It’s a major step forward in making MBD practical and scalable for real-world use.”
Onshape’s standards-compliant annotation tools help clearly communicate design intent without needing to rely solely on 2D drawings, and can be shared using URLs that open direct in the browser, preserving model display settings, section views, and MBD annotations. Onshape acts as both the viewer and the production tool, removing the need to export or access an add-on.
The MBD metadata is intelligently linked to the CAD model’s feature tree, whether added through sketch dimensions, hole tolerances, or tagged datums, and supports future export to STEP AP242 and handoff to tools used for inspection and compliance, such as PC-DMIS or AS9102 documentation, helping bridge the gap between design, quality, and manufacturing teams.
