MCP CAD Studio vs Onshape
A side-by-side look at the MCP CAD Studio and Onshape MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose MCP CAD Studio for architecture & design work as a local process; choose Onshape for architecture & design as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose MCP CAD Studio when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Architecture & Design domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You want tools like
studio_ui, list_models, load_model.
Choose Onshape when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Architecture & Design domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You want tools like
shaded_view, get_thumbnail, ONSHAPE_MCP_MAX_RESPONSE_BYTES.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Architecture & Design | Architecture & Design |
| Quality signal | 60/100 · Good | 55/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | Not declared | Not declared |
| Pricing | Not declared | Not declared |
| Required env vars | None listed | None listed |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 3 | 1 |
| Directory activity | 1 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 13 | 4 |
| Full listing | View MCP CAD Studio | View Onshape |
Tools & capabilities
MCP CAD Studio tools 13
studio_uiOpen the interactive CAD Studio. Use this when the user asks to view or work with a model visually.list_modelsList the CAD models currently saved in this studio.load_modelLoad a saved CAD model, including the modelId, current revision, complete editable parametric definition, and render mesh. Call this before update_model or delete_model.create_modelCreate a separate new CAD model from a declarative parametric shape tree. Do not use this to modify an existing model; load it and call update_model instead. Supports primitives, extrusions, transforms, mesh input, and boolean operations.generate_modelGenerate a built-in parametric template: bracket, pipe, gear, enclosure, or bolt. To revise a previously generated model, pass its modelId and expectedRevision to regenerate it in place. Omit modelId only when the user wants a separate new model.update_modelModify an existing saved model in place while preserving its modelId. Use patches for small edits (example: replace /shape/size/0), or shape to replace the complete definition. Load the model first and pass its expectedRevision. Never call create_model merely to revise an existing model.validate_shapePreflight a complete parametric shape without saving it. Reports static polygon/mesh topology errors and warnings, then asks the CAD kernel to verify the solid. Use this before create_model or update_model for complex shapes.transform_modelApply an incremental translation, Euler rotation in degrees, or scale to a CAD model.boolean_modelsCreate a new model by union, difference, or intersection of two or more saved models.duplicate_modelCreate an editable copy of a saved CAD model.delete_modelPermanently delete one saved CAD model. Call list_models or load_model first to identify the exact modelId, and pass expectedRevision when available to avoid deleting a newer edit.import_modelImport an STL or OBJ model from text or base64 data and save it in the studio.- +1 more on the listing page
Onshape tools 4
shaded_viewget_thumbnailONSHAPE_MCP_MAX_RESPONSE_BYTESonshape_request
Ready-to-paste client configs
Paste either block (or both) into your client config, e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json. We only show a config when the install command is confirmed.
MCP CAD Studio
{
"mcpServers": {
"mcp-cad-studio": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"mcp-cad-studio"
]
}
}
}
Onshape
{
"mcpServers": {
"onshape": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@gpambrozio/onshape-mcp"
]
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
MCP CAD Studio is categorized under Architecture & Design and uses a local stdio subprocess. Onshape belongs to Architecture & Design and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick MCP CAD Studio for architecture & design work and Onshape for architecture & design.
Copy the mcpServers block from the config section on this page into your client's config (for example claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json), then fully restart the client.
MCP CAD Studio has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Onshape has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. If a server needs environment variables such as API keys, define them under the env key in your client's MCP config.
Yes. MCP clients support multiple servers: add mcp-cad-studio and onshape as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, MCP CAD Studio has a quality signal of 60/100 (Good) with 1 views, 0 installs and 3 GitHub stars. Onshape has 55/100 (Good) with 0 views, 0 installs and 1 GitHub stars.