Mastercam developer CNC Software Inc., Tolland, Conn., late last month announced a partnership with the Onshape App Store that offers an open marketplace for a wide selection of CAD applications and seeks to modernize the way CAD users find and buy engineering apps. In the past, the comapny noted, desktop CAD users had to search multiple application vendor websites to find compatible products to purchase, register, license and install.

Being released in private beta for selected users, the Onshape App Store reportedly will be opened to the public early this year, according to CNC Software's news release.

Among the apps available through Onshape will be CNC Software's free Mastercam Onshape Connect, which the software developer said will serve as a bridge between the world's most widely used NC programming software and an exciting new modeling tool. Mastercam users will be able to open Onshape models in Mastercam directly from their Onshape accounts.

"As an industry leader, we are excited to be participating with innovative new engineering tools that will help our users be more effective and more productive in their shops," said Meghan West, CNC Software president.