Kestrel
Please note that Kestrel is currently in beta
Kestrel is an Onshape data migration tool. Kestrel allows users to manage the desktop to cloud migration process by simplifying file import, metadata management, and preventing file duplication.
Kestrel does not directly integrate into any desktop CAD Software. It requires use of other metadata preparation tools to facilitate the migration process.
Sign up for Kestrel Here
Quick Start Guide
1. Sign Up For Kestrel
Sign up for Kestrel Here. You must sign up for Kestrel with the same email address as your Onshape account. During the sign up process you will be required to log into Onshape in order to verify your account. Data is managed at the Onshape company level. Your Onshape account must belong to a company. When you verify your account, you must log into the enterprise/company you will migrate to.
2. Download the Kestrel App
Go to the Desktop App page and download the Kestrel Desktop App.
3. Configure Kestrel
Open the settings page and configure your options and parameters.
Be sure to configure a Unqiueness value for the database to use to prevent file duplicate. Set all of your field mappings for part and assembly metadata.
It is very important that the "Identifier" mapping is correctly setup in Kestrel. This field is used to prevent duplicates and build assemblies. When files are uploaded to Onshape with Kestrel, the Identifier field is a direct map between the desktop CAD file and the resulting Onshape Import. It is generally recommended to use a Part Number as the identifier.
4. Use Kestrel to Generate the Runfile
Kestrel uses a plain text file to manage file metadata extraction and uploads. The format of this file can be found Here The first screen of Kestrel will allow you to select files and generate a Runfile.
You may also create or modify this runfile with other applications in order to work with vaults, PDMs, ERPs, and more.
This runfile tells Kestrel and any metadata extractor which files to are going to be imported into Onshape.
5. Generate Metadata
Kestrel is not able to directly open CAD files or read their metadata. The migration process requires extracting metadata through other means. Read the "Runfile and _MMD files" page for more information. A Solidworks macro example is provided on the downloads page that can aid in this process.
Run the provided macro while will generate _MMD files and update the status of items in the Runfile.
Learn about the Metadata file format
6. Migrate to Onshape
Once data has been extracted and prepared for upload, use Kestrel to migrate files to Onshape. The second tab in Kestrel is used to upload extracted metadata and files into Onshape. Kestrel reads the runfile in order to determine which files to migrate to Onshape. Files are directly imported into your Onshape, and the records of those files are added to the Kestrel database.
7. Verify results in the Kestrel Web Portal and Onshap
Check the Kestrel Files database for any uploaded files, and verify their correctness in Onshape.