Step-by-Step Guide- Mastering the Art of Creating Branches in Onshape for Efficient Collaboration

How to Create a Branch in Onshape

Creating a branch in Onshape is a fundamental step in managing your design files effectively. Whether you’re working on a collaborative project or need to experiment with a new design variation, branches allow you to keep your original design intact while exploring new possibilities. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of creating a branch in Onshape, ensuring that you can efficiently manage your designs and collaborate with others.

Step 1: Access the Document

The first step to creating a branch in Onshape is to access the document you want to branch. You can do this by navigating to the Documents page in your Onshape account and selecting the document from the list.

Step 2: Open the Document

Once you’ve located the document, click on it to open it. This will load the document in the Onshape editor, where you can view and modify the design.

Step 3: Create a Branch

With the document open, click on the “Branch” button located in the top-right corner of the editor. This button is represented by a downward arrow with a plus sign next to it. Clicking on this button will open a menu with various options for creating a branch.

Step 4: Choose a Branch Type

In the menu that appears, you’ll see several options for creating a branch. The most common types are:

– Copy Branch: This creates a complete copy of the document, including all files and settings.
– Feature Branch: This creates a branch that only includes the features and changes you’ve made to the document since the last commit.
– Commit Branch: This creates a branch based on the latest commit in the document’s history.

Choose the branch type that best suits your needs by clicking on the desired option.

Step 5: Name Your Branch

After selecting the branch type, you’ll be prompted to name your new branch. Choose a descriptive name that reflects the purpose of the branch, such as “Experiment” or “Feature Development.”

Step 6: Confirm and Create the Branch

Once you’ve named your branch, click the “Create” button to confirm your selection. Onshape will then create the branch and open it in a new tab in the editor.

Step 7: Start Working on Your Branch

With your branch created, you can now start working on your new design variation or experiment. Any changes you make to the branch will not affect the original document, allowing you to explore new ideas without disrupting the main design.

Conclusion

Creating a branch in Onshape is a straightforward process that can help you manage your designs more effectively. By following these simple steps, you can easily create branches for collaboration, experimentation, or any other purpose. Remember to choose the appropriate branch type and name your branch descriptively to ensure that your design workflow remains organized and efficient.