As cloud-native CAD adoption continues to grow, Onshape users are increasingly looking for modern alternatives to AutoCAD for their DWG editing and drafting needs. To fill this need, more and more engineers are choosing ARES CAD software from Graebert.
But when evaluating ARES as an AutoCAD replacement, Onshape users may encounter a few common misconceptions. This article explains the differences between ARES Kudo, ARES Commander, and Onshape Drawings, and helps you determine which solution is the best fit for your workflow.
How Onshape Users Benefit from a Professional DWG CAD Solution Like ARES
Onshape includes the Onshape Drawings module, which is powered by ARES Kudo technology. This sometimes leads users to assume that ARES products are simply an extension of Onshape Drawings — but they are not. Let’s take a look at the fundamental differences.
The primary purpose of Onshape Drawings is to create and annotate 2D views that remain linked to the 3D Onshape model. When the model changes, the drawings created from it can be updated automatically. ARES products serve a different purpose: they provide full DWG editing capabilities.
When working in ARES, you can edit native DWG files with a complete set of CAD drafting tools. However, the DWG file is independent from the Onshape model. Unlike in Onshape Drawings, there is no automatic association between a DWG file in ARES and the original Onshape design.
This distinction is important, because some users expect drawings in ARES to maintain a live connection to the Onshape model. In reality, you gain the power of professional DWG editing tools, but work outside of Onshape’s associative drawing environment.
ARES Kudo: The Natural Choice for Browser-Based Users
For many Onshape users, ARES Kudo is the first ARES product they discover, because it is available directly through the Onshape App Store. ARES Kudo is a cloud-based DWG editor that runs entirely in a web browser, making it a natural fit for engineers and designers who already work primarily in Onshape. If your DWG editing needs are only moderately frequent and you prefer a fully browser-based workflow, ARES Kudo may be all you need.
Many users choose ARES Kudo because it offers:
- Professional DWG editing directly in the browser
- No software installation
- Integration with many cloud storage platforms
- Familiar workflows for users already accustomed to cloud-native applications.
For users who frequently work outside the office environment, Graebert also offers ARES Kudo Professional, which includes ARES Touch for smartphones and tablets. While ARES Kudo can be accessed from a mobile browser, it is not tailored for use on small screens. ARES Touch is custom-built for use on iOS and Android devices, and it provides several advantages:
- Native mobile application experience
- Optimized touch interface
- Online and offline access
- Better performance on tablets and smartphones.
The Full AutoCAD Alternative for Onshape Users: ARES Commander
One of the biggest misconceptions among Onshape users is that ARES Kudo is always the best replacement for AutoCAD. For many AutoCAD users, especially those working with the full version of AutoCAD, ARES Commander is actually the better choice — and it costs only a little more than ARES Kudo.
ARES Kudo offers functionality comparable to AutoCAD LT. It is intended for general DWG editing and drafting. ARES Commander, on the other hand, is a desktop application designed for professional CAD users who need:
- Advanced 2D drafting capabilities
- Better performance on large and complex drawings
- Enhanced customization options
- 3D solid modeling
- STEP import and export
- Professional CAD productivity tools.
For organizations replacing the full version of AutoCAD, ARES Commander provides a smoother transition than ARES Kudo, because its feature set is much closer to what experienced AutoCAD users expect.
In addition to a familiar interface, native DWG compatibility, and the professional tools that CAD teams require, ARES Commander offers another important benefit: It remains significantly more affordable than AutoCAD.
Importing Onshape STEP Files into ARES Commander
Another powerful advantage of ARES Commander is its support for STEP files and 3D solids. An Onshape model can be exported as a STEP file and imported into ARES Commander, where it becomes a 3D solid model.
This enables workflows such as:
- Creating section views
- Generating detailed manufacturing drawings
- Producing flattened views
- Preparing documentation based on imported geometry.
However, it’s important to understand that the model in ARES Commander is not linked to the original model in Onshape. Any changes made in Onshape would require a new export and import process.
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How to Work with DWG Files Stored in Onshape Using ARES?
Both ARES Kudo and ARES Commander can work with DWG files stored in Onshape. ARES Commander includes a Cloud Storage palette that allows users to connect directly to supported cloud platforms, browse project files, and work on local cached copies while maintaining synchronization with the cloud source. When connected to Onshape storage, users can open, edit, and save DWG files while keeping them stored within the Onshape environment.
However, there is one important requirement that organizations may overlook when planning their deployment: To access and edit DWG files stored in Onshape, the ARES user must also have an Onshape subscription.
This works perfectly when the same person uses both Onshape and ARES. For example:
- Mechanical engineers design parts in Onshape
- The same engineers create or edit DWG files in ARES.
In this scenario, integration is seamless. However, many companies have separate teams for these parts of the workflow. For example:
- Product designers working in Onshape, and
- Drafters working in AutoCAD (or ARES).
If the drafting team only needs access to DWG files and does not use Onshape for design work, purchasing an Onshape subscription for every DWG editor may not be cost-effective.
Using Shared Cloud Storage for DWG Collaboration Between ARES and Onshape
Using Shared Cloud Storage for DWG Collaboration Between ARES and Onshape
For teams that allocate design and drafting responsibilities to different users, a more practical workflow is often to use cloud storage as the collaboration hub. ARES products integrate with major cloud platforms including:
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Google Drive
- Dropbox
- Box
In this workflow:
- The CAD team creates and edits DWG files using ARES.
- Files are managed through shared cloud storage.
- Whenever a design reaches an approved milestone, an Onshape user uploads the validated DWG version into Onshape as part of the official project documentation.
This approach helps companies save money by avoiding unnecessary Onshape subscriptions, while maintaining collaboration between design and drafting teams.
Comparing ARES Kudo and ARES Commander: Which is Best for Onshape Users?
For most Onshape users evaluating an AutoCAD replacement, the decision comes down to how the alternative solutions work.
Choose ARES Kudo if:
- You prefer a browser-based workflow.
- You need DWG editing capabilities occasionally.
- Your drafting requirements are similar to AutoCAD LT.
- You want to stay entirely in the cloud.
Choose ARES Commander if:
- You are replacing the full version of AutoCAD.
- You need DWG editing capabilities frequently.
- You work with large or complex drawings.
- You need advanced CAD features.
- You require STEP import/export and 3D solid modeling.
- You want the smoothest transition from AutoCAD.
Replace AutoCAD in Your Onshape Workflow with ARES
As engineering teams move toward cloud-native design platforms like Onshape, they also need modern DWG tools that fit into these workflows.
Whether you choose ARES Kudo for browser-based drafting that replaces AutoCAD LT, or ARES Commander as a full AutoCAD replacement, rest assured that both solutions provide professional CAD capabilities and native DWG compatibility — while offering significantly more flexibility and value for modern CAD teams.
To learn more about how ARES can complement your existing workflows, watch our Deep Dive on Modern CAD in DWG & Cloud-Based Collaboration.
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