{"id":969,"date":"2025-10-02T09:10:33","date_gmt":"2025-10-02T16:10:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/?page_id=969"},"modified":"2025-10-16T08:20:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T15:20:09","slug":"onshape","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/onshape\/","title":{"rendered":"Onshape"},"content":{"rendered":"<div  class='flex_column av-aacjd-a190d5c710c664e5f74ac2c267d3456e av_one_full  avia-builder-el-0  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  first flex_column_div  '     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-mg9m37lr-6a1083d6e99be6146b9bb4f7017bb616 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h1>Getting Started With Onshape<\/h1>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CAD software allow you to plan your design before your build to save time and resources<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Onshape is a Cloud CAD program that runs on your browser. This makes it accessible and easy to collaborate with teammates.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Create a Student Account<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.onshape.com\/en\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Onshape<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-943\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-sign-up.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"624\" height=\"519\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-sign-up.png 624w, https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-sign-up-300x250.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Create a STUDENT Account, it&#8217;s free!<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After setting up an account, you will get a verification email so ensure to use an email you can easily access on your PC<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlike Fusion 360, Proof of Student ID is not needed<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Vex V5 Parts Library<\/h3>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A Parts Library has documents containing most of the VEX parts you will need to use in your CAD.\u00a0 Create a <\/span><\/i><b><i>Label<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to access them quickly:<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Go to your home page \u2192 <\/span><\/i><b><i>Public<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-948\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-parts-library-01.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"222\" height=\"384\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-parts-library-01.png 181w, https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-parts-library-01-173x300.png 173w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 222px) 100vw, 222px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Click \u25bc next to the search bar \u2192 <\/span><\/i><b><i>Advanced Search<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/i><i> <\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Search: <\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;7842 Library&#8221;<\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (case sensitive).<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-947\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-parts-library-02.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"381\" height=\"324\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-parts-library-02.png 381w, https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-parts-library-02-300x255.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 381px) 100vw, 381px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Click the top document \u2192 scroll down \u2192 hold <\/span><\/i><b><i>Shift<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and select all documents.<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-946\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-parts-library-03.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"624\" height=\"259\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-parts-library-03.png 624w, https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-parts-library-03-300x125.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-945\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-parts-library-04.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"624\" height=\"411\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-parts-library-04.png 624w, https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-parts-library-04-300x198.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Create a <\/span><\/i><b><i>New Label<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the left window.<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-944\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-parts-library-05.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"624\" height=\"269\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-parts-library-05.png 624w, https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-parts-library-05-300x129.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px\" \/><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You now have the VEX Parts Library saved under a Label that can be used within your own projects.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Brief Introduction to Onshape<\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Create a New Document in Onshape<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-950\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-intro-01.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"197\" height=\"327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-intro-01.png 197w, https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-intro-01-181x300.png 181w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 197px) 100vw, 197px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Onshape has a Multi-Tab Workflow<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Three primary Tab types that you will use are:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Part Studios: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Used to create Sketches and Custom Parts<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Assemblies:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Used to bring\/connect parts together<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Drawings:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Create 2D technical drawings\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Focus on <\/span><b>Assemblies<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for now.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>New Assembly:<\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Expand <\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">+<\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at bottom left of document \u2192 select Assembly.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-951\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-intro-02.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"426\" height=\"304\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-intro-02.png 426w, https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-intro-02-300x214.png 300w, https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-intro-02-260x185.png 260w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 426px) 100vw, 426px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Inserting Parts in Assemblies<\/h3>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Click the <\/span><\/i><b><i>Insert icon<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (top left).<\/span><\/i><i><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Navigate to the home page \u2192 select your <\/span><\/i><b><i>VEX Parts Library Label<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-956\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-insert-parts-01.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"624\" height=\"439\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-insert-parts-01.png 624w, https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-insert-parts-01-300x211.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Within this Label you have access to the VEX parts which are divided into different documents:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-955\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-insert-parts-02.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"337\" height=\"463\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-insert-parts-02.png 337w, https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-insert-parts-02-218x300.png 218w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 337px) 100vw, 337px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many parts have <\/span><b>configurations<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (e.g., C-channel length\/type):<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Click \u25bc to adjust configuration.<\/span><\/i><i> <\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enter values or select from dropdown.<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-954\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-insert-parts-03.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"320\" height=\"591\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-insert-parts-03.png 320w, https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-insert-parts-03-162x300.png 162w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Click <\/span><\/i><b><i>Generate<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2192 place the part \u2192 green checkmark to save.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To change a part\u2019s configuration later: <\/span><b><i>Right-click part \u2192 Change Configuration<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-953\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-insert-parts-04.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"356\" height=\"58\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-insert-parts-04.png 356w, https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-insert-parts-04-300x49.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 356px) 100vw, 356px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some library items are <\/span><b>pre-assembled<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (e.g., pneumatic cylinders, bearings).<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Select the assemblies window:<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-952\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-insert-parts-05.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"303\" height=\"575\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-insert-parts-05.png 303w, https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-insert-parts-05-158x300.png 158w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 303px) 100vw, 303px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Rotating parts in assemblies<\/h3>\n<p><b>Select:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Left-click a part.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Manipulate:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Triad appears \u2192 drag circular handles to rotate.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Exact rotation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Type a number (e.g., <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">90<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Attach:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Drag triad center to mate connectors or geometry for precise placement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Free rotation is useful before fully mating parts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-959\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-rotating-parts.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"494\" height=\"196\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-rotating-parts.png 494w, https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-rotating-parts-300x119.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 494px) 100vw, 494px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Fixing Parts<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fix one part to remove all degrees of freedom: <\/span><b>Right-click \u2192 Fix<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-961\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-fixing-parts-01.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"275\" height=\"225\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fixed parts show a <\/span><b>fix icon<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the feature list. <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-963 size-full\" style=\"margin-bottom: -2px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-fix-icon-e1759421588568.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"28\" height=\"30\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-962\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-fixing-parts-02.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"509\" height=\"208\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-fixing-parts-02.png 509w, https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-fixing-parts-02-300x123.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 509px) 100vw, 509px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Mates<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Onshape, the connections between parts are called <\/span><b>mates<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Located top-left or press <\/span><\/i><b><i>M<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-975\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-mates-01.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"667\" height=\"156\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-mates-01.png 667w, https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-mates-01-300x70.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hover over a face \u2192 dots appear for <\/span><\/i><b><i>Mate Connectors<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When rolling over one of these dots, a small triad appears.<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pay attention to the orientation of the triad.<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-976\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-mates-02.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"473\" height=\"331\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-mates-02.png 473w, https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-mates-02-300x210.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 473px) 100vw, 473px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each connector has <\/span><\/i><b><i>X, Y, Z axes<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/i><i><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each mate uses <\/span><\/i><b><i>2 connectors<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (one per part).<\/span><\/i><i><\/i><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Flip\/rotate axes<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> if needed.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-980\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-flip-axis-icon.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"15\" height=\"15\" \/>\u00a0 Flip the primary axis, Z orientation, of the instances.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-981\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-reorient-axis-icon.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" \/>\u00a0Reorient the secondary axis; rotate the quadrant orientation (in the XY plane) of the instances by 90 degrees at a click.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Click the checkmark to commit mate and continue.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-977\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-mates-03.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"477\" height=\"81\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-mates-03.png 477w, https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-mates-03-300x51.png 300w, https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-mates-03-474x81.png 474w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 477px) 100vw, 477px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Selecting the center<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For most parts, connections will be made on center points such as the center of a c channel hole or the center of a hole on a bearing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For <\/span><b>square geometry (like a C-channel hole):<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can&#8217;t just click and get the center because it&#8217;s not round<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Here\u2019s how to connect parts together by select the center point of a flat face<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b><i>Hover your mouse over the flat face<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> where you want to find the center. You will see all possible mate points to snap to.<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b><i>Hold the Shift key<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on your keyboard to lock those points and click on the desired point (in the center) this is your first mate connector.<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let go of shift now<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mouse over part 2, and then hold shift again once the face points appear. Now select point 2.<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Offsets<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many mates allow <\/span><b>offsets<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Negative Z moves parts apart (common).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Positive Z moves parts into each other (rare).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-978\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-mates-04.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"634\" height=\"222\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-mates-04.png 634w, https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-mates-04-300x105.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 634px) 100vw, 634px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Editing a Mate<\/h3>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Double-click mate in feature list \u2192 change type or offsets.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th><b>Tip<\/b><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hovering over a face and holding shift can also be useful for trying to get the right orientation of a mate connector that is on the edge of multiple faces.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3>Types of Mates<\/h3>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Mate<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Motion Allowed<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fastened <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-982\" style=\"margin: 0 0 -3px 3px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-fastened-icon.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"16\" height=\"21\" \/><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">None (fixed), can set X\/Y\/Z offsets or rotation<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Revolute <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-983\" style=\"margin: 0 0 -3px 3px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-revolute-icon.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"22\" height=\"20\" \/><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rotation along Z axis only<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Slider <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-984\" style=\"margin: 0 0 -3px 3px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-slider-icon.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"21\" height=\"19\" \/><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Linear movement along Z axis only<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cylindrical <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-985\" style=\"margin: 0 0 -3px 3px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-cylindrical-icon.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"23\" height=\"22\" \/><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rotation + linear along Z axis<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The other types of mates are rarely used. You will mainly only use fasten and revolute mates, though slider mates will often be of use for mechanisms with linear movement and cylindrical for arm linkages.<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th><b>Note<\/b><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first mate connector may move if part isn\u2019t fixed, ensure correct order.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3>Sub Assemblies<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using sub assemblies can avoid unnecessary repetition and improve organization<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Concept<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead of copy and pasting a group of parts to be used in different parts of an assembly\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid repetition: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Create a subassembly (a separate assembly tab) \u2192 insert into main assembly.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Changes in subassembly update all instances.<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"width: 1500px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-969-1\" width=\"1500\" height=\"711\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/webm\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/Sub-Assembly-Example-Video.webm?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/Sub-Assembly-Example-Video.webm\">https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/Sub-Assembly-Example-Video.webm<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<h3>Assembly Linear Pattern<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another tool to avoid unnecessary repetition is the assembly linear pattern tool. Useful when repetitions of part(s) occur in a pattern (ex: Wheels and\/or gears on a drivebase).<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Click <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-990\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-cube-icon.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"15\" height=\"15\" \/><\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, located in the top toolbar in an assembly<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-987\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-assembly-linear-pattern.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"503\" height=\"123\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-assembly-linear-pattern.png 479w, https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-assembly-linear-pattern-300x73.png 300w, https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-assembly-linear-pattern-474x117.png 474w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 503px) 100vw, 503px\" \/> <\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the focus in the Instances field, Select <\/span><\/i><b><i>instances<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to pattern.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-988\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-instances-to-pattern.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"516\" height=\"425\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-instances-to-pattern.png 516w, https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-instances-to-pattern-300x247.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 516px) 100vw, 516px\" \/><\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Set focus in the Direction field, and then set the direction of the linear pattern: Click to select an edge or face of the entity along which to set the pattern.<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enter <\/span><\/i><b><i>distance<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &amp; <\/span><\/i><b><i>instance count<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the Instance count field, set the number of instances for your pattern. The minimum number of instances you can use is 1.<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Toggle the opposite direction if needed. <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-980\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/onshape-flip-axis-icon.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"15\" height=\"15\" \/><\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Select <\/span><\/i><b><i>Equal spacing<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for uniform placement.<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">See video below:<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 1080px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-969-2\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/Assembly-Linear-Pattern.mp4?_=2\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/Assembly-Linear-Pattern.mp4\">https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/Assembly-Linear-Pattern.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<h3>Organization\/Management<\/h3>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Comments<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">See this Onshape resource: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.onshape.com\/en\/resource-center\/tech-tips\/tech-tip-comments\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.onshape.com\/en\/resource-center\/tech-tips\/tech-tip-comments<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Version Control<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">See this Onshape resource: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cad.onshape.com\/help\/Content\/versionmanager.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/cad.onshape.com\/help\/Content\/versionmanager.htm<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #2358ad; color: white; padding: 7px 15px; border-radius: 4px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: right;\">The content for this page was provided by <strong style=\"color: white;\">Zane Radawiec.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-969","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-04-15 21:23:02","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"post_tag","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/969","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=969"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/969\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1020,"href":"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/969\/revisions\/1020"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=969"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/robotics71\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=969"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}