Kubotek3D Debuts KeyCreator 2022

Kubotek3D makes available the 2022 release of the KeyCreator CAD software product line. The 2022 KeyCreator release provides productivity enhancements to various functions and updates to CAD translators for maintenance customers.

With the 2022 release, the KeyCreator product line has been expanded. The original KeyCreator product, launched in 2004 after Kubotek acquired CADKEY, has been renamed KeyCreator Pro while KeyCreator Prime and KeyCreator Drafting have been added to the KeyCreator product line. The added KeyCreator products feature a new Microsoft Office-like user interface intended to make it easier for new users to gain proficiency for manufacturing design and drafting applications, according to the company.

The KeyCreator Pro product retains the KeyCreator user interface with pull-down menus, customizable toolbars and keyboard shortcuts. Improvements included in the 2022 release of KeyCreator Pro were focused around working with visual face properties, selection of faces and profiles, re-use of geometry in referenced parts, and creating projected drawing views.

Performance gains were realized in reading assemblies with large numbers of part references. KeyCreator Pro 2022 continues to improve interoperability by adding a STEP AP242 export option, read of native Solid Edge drawing files, and updating 11 other translators to the latest versions.   

“Expert KeyCreator users flying through designs with the original KeyCreator user interface is a beautiful thing to watch. We believe these are the fastest precise designers in the world,” says John Wright McCullough, general manager, Marketing for Kubotek3D. 

The new KeyCreator Prime product introduced with the 2022 release provides capabilities of KeyCreator for new users through the Office-style user interface and DynaHandle object for direct manipulation of selected geometry. KeyCreator Prime also includes extensive context-specific pop-up menus that significantly reduce the overall number of commands for new users to learn and cut time spent moving the cursor to menus at the top of the application window or icon buttons on the edges.  

“The KeyCreator Prime interface was designed to dramatically reduce effort for new and part-time users while avoiding impacts to the high level of productivity that KeyCreator is known for,” continues McCullough. 

KeyCreator Drafting is a subset of capabilities designed specifically for CAD users who need productivity creating and editing mechanical drawings. The product can edit CAD drawings from popular formats including Dassault Systems CATIA and SolidWorks, Siemens Digital Industries Software NX and Solid Edge, PTC Creo, DWG/DXF, and CADKEY. The program also can read 3D data from these programs and quickly complete detail and assembly drawings.  

KeyCreator Viewer is a free program for reviewing all design data in the KeyCreator format.

All KeyCreator products remain Windows-based, locally installed and available as lease and permanent licenses with standalone and floating options. The KeyCreator Prime and KeyCreator Drafting products offer enhanced file import/export through use of the Kubotek Kosmos Framework. The same design file format is shared by all KeyCreator products allowing teams use of any of the products together on the same project.  

Trial downloads for evaluation of each KeyCreator product are available from the Kubotek3D website. An introductory offer of 25% off of KeyCreator Prime and KeyCreator Drafting is available by using the promo code “SAVEONNEWKC” in the Kubotek3D webstore. The promo code expires December 15, 2021, and is limited to customers in United States, Canada, Ireland, Norway and United Kingdom.  

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.