Cloud CAD: Apples to Apples

Cloud is coming to CAD and design world. Slowly, but surely CAD vendors are getting more interested in how to use variety of cloud technologies to empower their CAD products. There is also certain role of competition in this “cloud CAD race”. Autodesk made a bold move introducing Fusion360 cloud. Onshape Inc, founded by original Solidworks team came in the game with “full cloud” browser based product.

So the trend is to bring “more cloud” in the CAD competition. For the last few years announcement about some elements of cloud technology support came practically from all MCAD vendors.

However, the devil is in the details. You probably had a chance to read my article last week – CAD, Cloud, Browser… Let’s sort it out. It was triggered by the news from PTC LiveWorx conference about Creo in the cloud.

Over the weekend, I decided to take a next step and make a comparison table to show what each CAD vendor does with regards to different “cloud CAD” options. Note – the information in the table is reflecting only “public” sources of information. If I cannot “google it”, I won’t publish it. So, if I miss some of technological projects, please share it with me and I will update my blog accordingly.

1. Cloud enabled desktop CAD application. CAD system is installed on your computer and connected to cloud servers to perform different type of operations – storage, simulation, data management, etc.

2. Cloud based virtual CAD desktop. CAD system is installed on a virtual machine that runs in the cloud. The access to this machine is enabled via browser. User can access this virtual desktop and perform all operations using CAD system as it would be installed on your machine but via internet browser.

3. Full cloud-based CAD in a browser. CAD system is running in a browser and using cloud back-end infrastructure to manage geometry operation, manage data and perform all needed tasks either from browser or backend servers.

Few comments about the picture:

(1) I found information about SpaceClaim Connect project. Navigate here to read more. It is not clear what functionality is supported.

(2) Autodesk Inventor can be used together with Autodesk A360. In that case, A360 will store information from Inventor and use Viewer to collaborate. I found an old link from 2014 explaining how Inventor can be used with A360 here.

(3) Autodesk announced “Project Leopard” – Fusion360 in the browser. The project is in the status of private beta right now. Some information can be obtained from Develop3D article here.

(4) Solidworks cloud development is a full swing. Read more about it in my earlier blog. According to the information from Solidworks World 2016, the plan was to launch browser based product (xCAD) in spring 2016.

(5) According to the information I captured from Develop3D article SolidEdge is available for trial on Fra.me.

What about cloud PDM? 

To manage data is an essential functionality for every cloud CAD system. You cannot “just save files on the disc” anymore. So, CAD vendors will develop better PDM support. In my view, cloud CAD technology will end a story of PDM as a separate product category to manage CAD files. Read my earlier article about it – Cloud CAD will have to solve PDM problems at first place.

What is my conclusion? MCAD vendors will be looking how to leverage cloud technology to empower existing CAD systems and to develop new ones. The three “cloud options” I outlined in the table above can show you who is developing new technologies and products and who is combining existing products with new cloud technological options. To some degree, all vendors are engaged into the development. Onshape is clearly leading in the development of browser-based full-cloud CAD. Dassault Systemes and Autodesk are trying to support all options to support a wide range of  customers. Other vendors are catching up because they don’t want to miss the opportunity and they are listening to their customers. The jury is out. It will be interesting to see next 5 years of MCAD cloud competition. Just my thoughts…

Best, Oleg