BOSTON, MA, July 15, 2026 – PTC has launched Onshape Labs, an early-access program that gives customers a first look at new features like emerging AI tools, inside its Onshape cloud-native CAD/PDM platform. The features are built into the product development workflow, rather than added as separate tools. Broader access opens later this summer, when users can opt in through the Onshape “Preferences” settings under “Onshape Labs.”
Onshape’s cloud-native architecture captures every design decision in real time, creating structured data that AI systems can reference to understand design intent and past work. Onshape Labs is how PTC plans to deliver these capabilities inside the CAD workflow as they become available.
Current capabilities in Onshape Labs (early access):
- AI Quick Render: Generates high-quality renderings from text prompts in seconds
- Onshape to Isaac Sim workflows: Bring CAD assets into NVIDIA Isaac Sim, an open robotics simulation framework, using Omniverse Libraries to support simulation-ready visualization for robotics teams.
Capabilities expected soon in Onshape Labs:
- AI Agents and Automation: Will perform tasks and enforce standards alongside engineers, with what PTC describes as full visibility and control
- Drawing Checker: Will use AI to validate whether drawings conform to standards
- FeatureScript MCP Server: will offer a text-to-code-to-CAD framework, letting users generate CAD geometry and customize CAD tools through prompts.
“Engineering teams don’t need more disconnected AI tools; they need AI that understands their products, their data, and how they actually work,” said David Katzman, EVP and general manager of Onshape and Arena at PTC. “With Onshape Labs, we’re putting these capabilities directly in customers’ hands early, learning from how they use them, and turning that feedback into meaningful product value. Our goal is to move from AI assisting engineers to AI actively participating in the engineering process.”
“AI is central to product development, helping engineers move faster from design to production,” said Madison Huang, director of product marketing at NVIDIA. “By integrating NVIDIA Omniverse libraries and skills, PTC Onshape Labs puts AI-powered agents inside the engineering workflow so teams can visualize, simulate and improve products as they build.”
Customers who opt into Onshape Labs can give feedback on these features while they remain in early access. PTC may refine, modify, discontinue, or release any Onshape Labs capability at its discretion.
Source: PTC
About PTC
PTC was founded in 1985 and headquartered in Boston, MA, develops software for engineering and product development teams worldwide. Its portfolio includes CAD, PLM, IIoT, application lifecycle management, and augmented reality tools. The software supports product design, manufacturing, data management, and service operations. PTC serves manufacturers in aerospace, automotive, electronics, industrial equipment and energy sectors. The company reports more than 30,000 customers globally, including 95% of Fortune 500 manufacturers. PTC employs about 7,500 people worldwide. It operates primarily on a subscription-based business model focused on digital product development and connected operations.
