Guide to Managing Multi-User CAD Projects Efficiently
Learn effective strategies for managing multi-user CAD projects, from version control to real-time collaboration and secure workflows.
Top 6 Tools for Remote Engineering Team Collaboration
Explore essential tools that enhance collaboration for remote engineering teams, tackling challenges like communication and version control.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Remote engineering teams face challenges like miscommunication, version control on complex projects, and managing large design files. But using the right collaboration tools can significantly improve productivity, reduce errors, and streamline workflows. Here’s a quick look at six tools designed to help remote engineering teams work better together:
- CAD Rooms: Focuses on check-in/check-out version control, unlimited CAD comment history, and secure cloud-based collaboration. Ideal for teams needing advanced CAD data management, real-time collaboration and manufacturing integration.
- Onshape: A cloud-native CAD platform with simultaneous editing, version control, and browser-based access to support flexible workflows for engineering and design teams.
- Autodesk Fusion 360: Combines design, engineering, and manufacturing tools in one place, with strong version control and cloud accessibility.
- 3DEXPERIENCE Cloud CAD: Enterprise-level solution integrating SOLIDWORKS with robust PLM tools and secure cloud collaboration. Best for large organizations.
- SOLIDWORKS PDM: On-premise file management system with strong version control and data security. Perfect for SOLIDWORKS-centric teams.
- CoLab: Simplifies design reviews and feedback with browser-based CAD viewing and engineering-specific annotation tools.
Quick Comparison Table
Tool | Primary Focus | Key Features | Best For |
CAD Rooms | CAD collaboration & PDM | Real-time collaboration, version control, secure cloud storage | Teams needing a flexible, inter-operable multi-CAD workflow |
Onshape | Cloud-native CAD | Simultaneous CAD editing, browser-based, version tracking | Cloud-based CAD |
Autodesk Fusion 360 | Integrated CAD/CAM/CAE | All-in-one design, simulation, and manufacturing | Cloud based CAD for Startups and SMEs |
3DEXPERIENCE Cloud CAD | Enterprise PLM integration | Secure cloud storage, PLM tools, advanced engineering features | SOLIDWORKS Users |
SOLIDWORKS PDM | File management & version control | On-premise storage, workflow automation, strong security | SOLIDWORKS users in larger businesses |
CoLab | Design review & feedback | Browser-based CAD viewing, annotation tools, PLM integrations | Enterprises focused on design reviews |
These tools cater to different needs, from real-time CAD collaboration to enterprise-level PLM integration. Choose the one that aligns with your workflow and project requirements to boost your team’s efficiency.
1. CAD Rooms
CAD Rooms is a cloud-based platform designed to streamline remote collaboration on design projects. By combining AI, cloud computing, and real-time collaboration tools, it transforms how design teams work together. Adopting a powerful but easy to use solution that can bring as much as 3x faster prototyping, 2x shorter go-to-market timelines, and over 30% cost savings by addressing inefficiencies in traditional workflows. These features make it a game-changer for remote engineering teams, tackling challenges like maintaining consistency and managing projects effectively. Here’s a closer look at what makes CAD Rooms stand out.
Real-time Collaboration Capabilities
With CAD Rooms, designers, engineers, and business stakeholders can collaborate in real time, no matter where they’re located. This functionality not only improves communication but also reduces errors, ensuring everyone stays on the same page. The platform supports multi-user CAD (MUCAD), enabling multiple team members to work on projects simultaneously. Features like real-time team comment, version history, and automatic cloud backups ensure smooth teamwork and prevent data loss.
Version Control and Time Travel Features
Keeping track of design changes has never been easier. CAD Rooms provides comprehensive revision tracking with its Contribution History and Time Travel feature, which allows users to instantly access previous design versions. The Desktop App includes local file syncing, with File check in/check out, CAD-diffing and permission controls to manage changes over time. Together with annotations and a detailed change history, CAD Rooms makes it easy to review and manage the evolution of a design from design to manufacturing.
"Stay in your design flow, and let CAD Rooms take care of versioning and ensuring everyone's looking at the latest."
This focus on automation allows engineers to dedicate their time to design work while maintaining clear records and alignment across the team.
Cloud-based Accessibility and Security
CAD Rooms operates as a secure, cloud-based Product Data Management (PDM) solution, prioritizing the protection of intellectual property while simplifying collaboration. The platform offers user-level permissions and granular access controls, ensuring sensitive files are safeguarded with end-to-end encryption during both storage and transmission.
Built on Amazon Web Services (AWS), CAD Rooms benefits from AWS’s Cloud Native Security and global data centers, which provide robust physical and digital protection. The platform complies with strict industry standards, with regular updates to meet evolving data protection requirements. Manufacturing workflows are also covered, with secure file uploads accessible only to the user and the manufacturing team. All data transmissions use TLS encryption, and the infrastructure is designed for fault tolerance, featuring clustered databases and scalable application tiers supported by load-balancing technology.
Engineering-specific Functionalities
CAD Rooms brings engineering-focused tools to the table, including CAD diffing, 3D annotations, precision measurements, and file check-in / check out to prevent simultaneous changes. These features ensure that stakeholders can review designs without needing additional CAD software.
For manufacturing, the platform integrates with a global supplier network, offering features like Request for Quotation (RFQ) functionality, production tracking, and on-platform payments to simplify the transition from design to production. This end-to-end approach helps teams move seamlessly from concept to manufacturing.
2. Onshape
Onshape is a cloud-based CAD platform designed specifically for CAD development among remote teams. Unlike traditional CAD systems, which often treat Cloud as an afterthought, Onshape integrates online features right into its core. Users report saving up to 80% of their time on repetitive tasks, making it a game-changer for distributed teams working across different time zones. Below, we’ll explore how Onshape’s main features enhance remote engineering workflows.
Real-time Collaboration Capabilities
Onshape allows multiple team members to work on the same CAD document simultaneously, with active collaborators visible in real time. Its Follow Mode lets users observe teammates’ actions live. Built-in mark-ups, comments, and task assignments simplify feedback, while document owners can set permissions from view-only to full editing rights for secure collaboration.
Version Control and Change Tracking Features
Every design change is automatically tracked, creating a detailed project timeline. Branching and merging enable teams to explore alternative designs without disrupting the main model, and the compare tool highlights differences side by side. Workspace Protection prevents accidental edits, ensuring only approved changes are merged. The Versions panel updates in real time, keeping teams informed on progress.
Cloud-based Accessibility and Security
Being cloud-native, Onshape offers access from any device with strong security features like role-based access control (RBAC), audit logs, and two-factor authentication. Onshape Teams streamlines collaboration by organising users into roles or groups for efficient project coordination.
Engineering-specific Functionalities
Onshape’s git-style branch and merge system simplifies design iterations and eliminates PDM headaches. It maintains a detailed audit trail of every change, showing who made it, when, and why. Combined with its visual timeline tools, these features support efficient, accountable remote engineering workflows.
3. Autodesk Fusion 360
Autodesk Fusion 360 brings together design, engineering, and manufacturing into one cloud-based platform. With over 4.6 million professionals using it worldwide, Fusion 360 simplifies remote teamwork by integrating essential tools into a single environment, tackling challenges like data centralization and version control while reducing reliance on multiple software solutions.
Real-time Collaboration Capabilities
Fusion 360’s cloud-native design centralises all project data – schematics, 2D drawings, and 3D models – for online collaboration. Team members can work simultaneously on the same file, track progress, and add comments in real time.
Version Control and Change Tracking Features
Every project change is automatically saved as a new version, tagged with details of the modification and author, making it easy to backtrack. The Fusion 360 Manage Extension automates component numbering and simplifies revision approvals, enhancing team efficiency.
Cloud-based Accessibility and Security
With its cloud-based infrastructure, Fusion 360 provides secure, uninterrupted access from any internet-connected device, whether running Windows or macOS. Permissions and file versions are carefully managed, ensuring that sensitive project data remains secure. For those moments when internet access is spotty, Fusion 360 includes an offline mode that syncs changes automatically once the connection is restored.
Engineering-specific Functionalities
Fusion 360 includes tools for sculpting, mechanical design, motion studies, and interface analysis, all within a single file, reducing errors and eliminating software switching.
"Fusion lets us share models, create assemblies, see dependencies, do motion studies, and analyse interfaces all in one place." – Steve Milanoski, Head of Advanced Manufacturing, Romar Engineering
4. 3DEXPERIENCE Cloud CAD
3DEXPERIENCE by Dassault Systèmes integrates SOLIDWORKS design tools with PLM capabilities on a cloud platform. Companies like Whitepoint Optics reduced design cycles by three to six months using its cloud-enabled collaboration features.
Real-time Collaboration Capabilities
The platform acts as a shared virtual workspace for their Solidworks files, allowing teams to securely store files, manage projects, and provide direct feedback with built-in commenting and annotations.
"Collaboration is the most important aspect of our development process…and the 3DEXPERIENCE Works portfolio makes collaboration very easy." – Timo Alatalkkari, CTO, Whitepoint Optics
Version Control and Change Tracking Features
3DEXPERIENCE automatically tracks all design changes, ensuring data consistency across projects. Its integration with project management and issue tracking tools streamlines workflows and records every update for easy cross-department collaboration.
Cloud-based Accessibility and Security
The 3DEXPERIENCE platform applies multiple layers of protection at every level. With a “Security In Depth” approach, it offers Two-factor authentication for private tenant security with 99.5% uptime, daily backups, and HTTPS/TLS encryption for data protection.
Engineering-specific Functionalities
3DEXPERIENCE includes tools for structural analysis, CFD, and injection molding simulations, leveraging Abaqus solver technology for advanced analysis. Its 3D content comparison and CAD plugins ensure seamless syncing and efficient design reviews.
XSun used it to detect landing gear design errors early by adjusting propeller size and position simultaneously during simulation.
5. SOLIDWORKS PDM
SOLIDWORKS Product Data Management (PDM) is an on-premise product data management system acting as a central hub for securely storing, accessing, and managing engineering files. Companies like ABCO Automation reduced design cycles by 35% after adopting PDM for their workflows.
Version Control and Change Tracking Features
With SOLIDWORKS PDM, every file change is automatically tracked, creating numbered versions for easy retrieval. File locking prevents conflicts, while live notifications keep teams updated on edits. Administrators can control user access to version history, ensuring data security and compliance.
Cloud-based Accessibility and Security
Though primarily a client/server system, SOLIDWORKS PDM offers remote access via Web2 and VPN, allowing engineers to update files securely from anywhere. It features end-to-end encryption, multi-factor authentication, and compliance support for industries like aerospace and automotive.
"SOLIDWORKS PDM improves workflows, transforms data storage, and protects intellectual property." – Hawk Ridge Systems
Engineering-specific Functionalities
SOLIDWORKS PDM understands CAD file relationships, automatically updating assemblies and BOMs as designs change. Its automated workflows streamline design approvals, while email notifications keep stakeholders informed. For distributed teams, PDM Professional supports simultaneous design work on assemblies, syncing changes quickly to maintain integrity and boost productivity.
6. CoLab
CoLab is a web-based collaboration platform simplifying design reviews and feedback for remote engineering teams in enterprises. It makes CAD file sharing and mechanical-context feedback accessible even to non-CAD experts.
Real-time Collaboration Capabilities
CoLab empowers teams to collaborate in real time, keeping feedback organized and tied directly to relevant designs throughout the process. Its features include a follow mode, which makes live design reviews more interactive and productive. Team members can annotate designs and flag issues instantly, ensuring feedback is both timely and actionable. The platform supports both live (synchronous) and offline (asynchronous) collaboration, allowing users to review designs, access engineering data, and provide input through tasks, comments, or markups - whenever it suits their schedule.
Version Control and Change Tracking Features
Its version control system tracks changes and enables side-by-side comparisons across drawings and models. CoLab integrates with PLM systems like Windchill, Teamcenter, and 3DEXPERIENCE, maintaining synchronised design data and audit trails. Schneider Electric used CoLab to reduce Non-Quality Costs by 15% in a year through better peer reviews.
Cloud-based Accessibility and Security
As a cloud platform, CoLab provides secure browser-based access without requiring additional software installations. Security features include AES-256 encryption, SAML SSO, TLS/SSL protection, and compliance with ISO 27002 and SOC 2 standards, achieving 99.5% uptime.
Engineering-specific Functionalities
CoLab offers orbiting, panning, sectioning, exploding models, dimensioning tools, and a Model Browser for detailed part inspections. Companies like Hyundai Mobis and Schaeffler leverage CoLab to conduct thorough global design reviews, improving quality and reducing delays.
Feature Comparison Table
Here's a breakdown of six collaboration tools, showcasing their main features, strengths, and limitations:
Tool | Primary Focus | Key Strengths | Notable Limitations | Best For |
CAD Rooms | CAD collaboration & PDM | Browser-based Viewer, Real-time collaboration, Version control, file syncing, CAD diffing, file check in/check out, conflict resolution, 3D annotations, precision measurements, manufacturing integration | Limited storage on lower tiers | Teams needing advanced a flexible, multi-CAD workflow tool to manage product data and development |
Onshape | Cloud-native CAD | Browser-based access, automatic version control, no software installation required | Requires internet connection, subscription-based pricing | Teams seeking cloud-based CAD design and collaboration |
Autodesk Fusion 360 | Integrated CAD/CAM/CAE | Combines design, simulation, and manufacturing, cloud storage, collaboration tools, extensive feature set | Steep learning curve, can be resource-intensive | Autodesk users seeking cloud-based CAD and collaboration |
3DEXPERIENCE Cloud CAD | Enterprise PLM integration | Seamless integration with PLM systems, strong data management, enterprise-grade security | Complex setup, higher cost, may be excessive for smaller teams | SOLIDWORKS users needing efficient data management |
SOLIDWORKS PDM | File management & version control | Strong version control, workflow management, integration with the SOLIDWORKS ecosystem | Limited to SOLIDWORKS files, requires server setup | SOLIDWORKS in large enterprises |
CoLab | Design review & feedback | Browser-based CAD viewing, supports over 30 file formats, engineering-specific annotation tools, PLM integrations | Primarily focused on review rather than creation | Engineering teams in Enterprise focused on design review and feedback processes |
These tools cater to different collaboration needs, with some excelling in specialized areas. For instance, CAD Rooms excels in real-time CAD collaboration with built-in manufacturing integration, enabling seamless transitions from design to production within a single workspace. CoLab simplifies design reviews, making them more accessible for non-CAD users. Onshape offers simultaneous editing through its cloud-native platform, a game-changer for teams working remotely.
Pricing structures vary significantly. Subscription models dominate tools like CoLab and Onshape, while CAD Rooms offers custom pricing based on team size and requirements. Tools like SOLIDWORKS PDM require server infrastructure, reflecting their focus on larger, SOLIDWORKS-centric teams. File format support also differs, with CoLab accommodating over 30 formats, while SOLIDWORKS PDM remains limited to its native files. CAD Rooms supports over 30+ formats as well as markdown, images, video, and pdf.
Integration capabilities are another key factor. CoLab connects with PLM systems to streamline design management, CAD Rooms focuses on manufacturing integration to bridge design and production, and 3DEXPERIENCE offers integrations to a broader PLM offering. Choosing the right tool depends on your team's specific workflow and project requirements.
Conclusion
Remote engineering collaboration tools have reshaped team dynamics, with 61% of workers reporting higher productivity when equipped with effective solutions. The tools discussed here address critical workflow needs, from real-time CAD collaboration to design reviews and PLM integration.
Poor collaboration remains a major barrier, with 86% of workers citing it as a key workplace problem. Tools that integrate seamlessly with existing systems and offer browser-based access, version control, and multi-format support can significantly reduce inefficiencies. In fact, 69% of workers lose up to 32 days annually navigating disjointed apps – streamlined platforms help reclaim this lost time.
Looking ahead, 85% of companies will adopt cloud-first strategies by 2025, driving better collaboration, automatic backups, and scalable storage. Effective adoption involves setting clear communication norms, appointing tool champions, and gathering regular feedback.
Ultimately, teams using visual progress tools are 60% more likely to meet deadlines, and organisations prioritising transparency see up to a 30% boost in team cohesion. Choosing the right collaboration tools and integrating them into your workflows is key to thriving in this era of remote engineering innovation.
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