PTC’s Onshape platform now lets engineers create custom CAD features using natural language and AI, enabling reusable design automation without programming expertise.
PTC has taken a bold step forward in AI‑driven design by unveiling the Onshape FeatureScript MCP (Model‑Centric Programming) Server, a cloud‑based service that lets engineers generate custom CAD features through natural‑language prompts.
AI‑Powered Feature Creation
The new MCP Server integrates large language models directly into Onshape’s FeatureScript environment, allowing users to describe the geometry they need in plain English. The system then translates the request into executable FeatureScript code, which can be saved, shared, and reused across projects without any traditional programming.
Because the service runs on PTC’s secure cloud infrastructure, the generated scripts are instantly available to any team member with appropriate permissions, streamlining collaboration and reducing the time spent on repetitive modeling tasks.
Benefits for Engineers
- Accelerates concept iteration by producing design features in seconds instead of hours.
- Eliminates the need for deep scripting knowledge, opening automation to a broader user base.
- Ensures consistency across designs through reusable, version‑controlled scripts.
Early adopters report that the AI‑assisted workflow not only speeds up routine modifications but also inspires creative solutions, as engineers can experiment with variations simply by tweaking the natural‑language description.
Integration with Existing Onshape Tools
The MCP Server works seamlessly with Onshape’s existing feature libraries, document management, and real‑time collaboration tools. Generated scripts appear in the FeatureScript editor, where users can further refine the code if desired, or publish it to the public FeatureScript repository for community use.
Security and compliance remain a priority; all AI processing occurs within PTC’s data centers, and generated scripts are subject to the same access controls and audit trails as any other Onshape asset.
“The ability to speak to our CAD system and have it understand and execute complex feature logic is a game‑changer for product development,” said a PTC spokesperson.
With the FeatureScript MCP Server, PTC positions Onshape as a leading platform for AI‑enhanced engineering, promising faster innovation cycles and lower barriers to automation.