Computer-aided design (CAD) models are the building blocks for numerous design projects. However, once you create a CAD design, you might want to make something new that contains elements of the initial model. That’s an option called branching — so named because you use the first CAD model as a starting point and branch off it to make other things. 

Successful design often relies on getting information from something that already exists. After all, people rarely design the best version of a product or building first. They make multiple efforts, using their collective knowledge or clients’ feedback to improve each one. That’s why branching is a useful skill to have and teach other professionals you work with or know. 

The branching process varies slightly depending on the program you use. However, we’ll go through the steps of doing it in Onshape here. It’s a browser-based tool with a free tier, so branching is easy to try, even if you’re not a regular product user. 

Steps to Create a CAD Model Branch in Onshape

Here are some things to know before getting started. An Onshape branch is not an independent file or a copy. Your first version of a CAD design is called Start, and the workspace associated with it is called Main. A branch is an independent workspace within an Onshape document. 

You can also have several workspaces per document, allowing designers to treat each as an isolated area to experiment with new designs without disrupting their colleagues. Here’s how to create a CAD design with branching in Onshape.

Make Your Version

Every branch must come from a version. Start by clicking the Create Version button on the Document panel, which is on the left and near the top of the main interface. Name your version and enter an optional description. Select Save Version, then click the Create button. 

Create the Branch

Go to the Versions and History Graph, then right-click on the version. Choose Branch to Create Workspace from the available options. You’ll then need to name the workspace and add a description. Next, you’ll see the branch in the Versions and History Graph, represented as a yellow entry in the list and a yellow line in the associated diagram. 

Understand How to Move Between Workspaces and Versions 

Once you create the new workspace and branch, you’ll automatically go into that workspace. An easy way to track which one you’re in is to look at the top of the screen and see what name is in the Document bar. 

Otherwise, click the Versions and History icon in the Document panel. From there, you’ll see the active workspace highlighted in the graph, and you can click a different one to switch to it. 

Since branches are independent workspaces within documents, you can also create a version in a branch. Do it the same way you would if in a workspace. 

Why Might You Need to Create a CAD Design With Branching?

The reuse and remodeling of existing structures is an emerging trend in architecture. It makes sense to reuse CAD models, too. That can save time and give designers more opportunities to experiment with new ideas. 

You may also need to create a CAD design for rapid prototyping. People can get custom prototypes in days or even less. Branching is a practical way to shorten the time frame without sacrificing quality.

People may also use branching to create a CAD design if they like many aspects of an existing model but have some creative and advantageous ways to tweak it. Some CAD drawing libraries have hundreds of thousands of models to download. Those could give you an excellent starting point while simultaneously making you realize there’s room for improvement. 

Moreover, if you create a CAD model while working with a 3D printer, you may discover ways to improve future iterations. One of the most convenient benefits of using a 3D printer versus other manufacturing methods is that it’s generally much more efficient. You’ll often find it’s less expensive too, but that varies depending on the item made. 

CAD branching is also a viable option when a client is generally happy with the existing model but wants to make a few changes. Similarly, it’s advantageous if someone is unsure about committing to some recommended alterations but is curious about seeing how they might improve the original design. 

Also, since branching in Onshape allows people to work on several branches simultaneously, you could use the feature as a workflow-tracking method. A design team could present each branched version to a client for feedback. 

Branching Is an Effective Way to Create a CAD Design

As you can see from the steps mentioned here, branching is a quick and easy way to create a CAD design from an existing model. Many other CAD programs have similar features, so even if you use something besides Onshape, branching should be a skill you can learn in a few minutes.

Author: Emily Newton

Cover image by Lance Anderson on Unsplash