KeyCreator Features – KeyCreator Standard

True 3D Construction
Models can begin or incorporate any and all styles of geometry and construction techniques from 3D primitives, surfaces, point data, and lightweight wireframes and polygon meshes, to the typical 2D sketch and sweep method. At all times 3D positions and shapes from any existing geometry can be reused.

Parameter-based Geometry Editing
Several powerful editing functions provide an enormous command over basic mechanical parts. The Direct Dimension Editing function lets users quickly and intuitively measure distances and move a flexibly defined set of parts and features temporarily attached to the dimension. Basic features like fillets/rounds, chamfers, sheet metal bends, and standard holes can be edited with simple selection and adjustment of their parameters.

Hybrid Editing
The full power of the KeyCreator modeling approach lies in the total control of shape provided by the freedom to pull apart and reconstruct solids using surface and wireframe techniques or pull features off a solid as tool bodies. Selection includes Kubotek’s advanced Face Logic technology to instantly recognize potential features for hybrid editing.

Adaptable Assemblies
In support of creative problem solving KeyCreator provides a simple, unstructured mode of building model/construction geometry and planning arrangement/fit in the conceptual stage. During this phase of design there is no need for concern about the number of separate parts the final design will include or to which part each piece of geometry belongs. As a design progresses and structure emerges, parts can be flexibly organized into separate containers for memory advantages.

Detail Drafting
KeyCreator provides all the tools and options needed to fluently create all types of drawings, views, symbols, and details and completely control scaling, formatting, and associative linking.

Assessment
KeyCreator delivers the full benefits of precise 3D modeling with the most complete set of visualization, rendering, measurement, and verification utilities available anywhere.

• Quicker generation and editing of design concepts.
• Most flexible and complete tools for model editing.
• Efficiently interrogate imported parts and derive manufacturing/tooling models.
• Rapidly de-feature models to prep for downstream applications such as NC, FEA, packaging or documentation.

• Single file type for parts, drawings, and assemblies keeps management simple.
• Single mode for solids, surfaces, wireframe, and sketches maximizes data re-use.
• 3D workflow can optionally mimic traditional 2D workflow using layers and colors.
• Supports unplanned edits across hundreds of parts in a single step.

• Allows complete control of geometric shape creation and editing without the complications of constraints, history and feature dependencies.
• Real Geometry Editing achieves simple modification of solids through feature and face editing/removal and Boolean operations.
• Advanced transformation functions and breakdown of solids to surface and wireframe entities allow for total control of geometry.
• Unique time-saving capabilities to convert properly defined surface and wireframe models into solids and extract surface and wireframe entities from solids.
• Models and drawings received from other sources can be edited as if they were created natively in KeyCreator.

KeyCreator seamlessly integrates 2D Drafting, 3D wireframe, surfacing, solids and NC into on easy to learn environment. The latest shape design tools, combined with innovations in Feature Discovery and the ability to “cut and paste” features (called Prune and Graft), help companies streamline the product design process. Using the geometry-based tools in KeyCreator, designers can quickly and easily create and modify complex models in one hybrid environment. KeyCreator allows the designer to concentrate on the design rather than the software.

• Shape creation tools (curves, surfaces, solids) allow designers to quickly create complex shapes from concept to manufacturing.
• Visualization tools such as zebra lines, environment maps, textures, transparency and anti-aliasing support give the designer the ability to realistically visualize and interact with complex shapes.
• Shape deform tools allow dynamic modification of any curve, surface or solid. Using either shape control points or user definable constraint points, designers can intuitively make quick changes to complex shapes.
• Reshape tool facilitates the global modification of 3D shapes. Using a before-and-target set of curves or edges, designers can quickly make various versions of one model, or modify existing models per specific design specifications, at any point in the product design process.

KeyCreator provides an open and intuitive solution for designers and engineers who must rapidly explore, iterate, and solve manufacturability challenges – even when working with history-based models.

• Unique capacity to support 2D and 3D, solids and surface modeling with drafting and NC options.
• Quickly analyze models for certain geometry conditions, draft angles, undercuts and other problem areas.
• Unique Prune and Graft functionality for extracting cavities, cores, and sliders straight from imported geometry.
• Recognize features for editing, model simplification, feature reuse and more.
• Provides fast, cost-effective data exchange between companies and design teams.

KeyCreator presents all the tools needed to deliver professional drawings, operations sheets, and NC code efficiently and accurately.

Comprehensive Dimensioning

• Linear, angular, circular/radial, ordinate, running, baseline, and feature hole dimension types.
• Notes, labels, and balloons.
• Welding, surface finish, and GD&T symbols.
• Associative views and dimensions.
• Full user control of dimension appearance.
• Saved dimension styles.

Automated Drawing View Creation

• Automated multi-view drawings and title blocks.
• Automated dimensioning and BOM tables.
• Hidden line blanked/dashed views.
• Auxiliary views.
• Full, half, offset and revolved section views.
• Circular enlarged-detail views.
• Import drawings from AutoCAD and CADKEY.
• Tracing over image files (JPG, TIF, GIF, BMP).
• Embed Microsoft Office objects (OLE).

Drawing Output

• Comprehensive saved print setups.
• Output as PDF, DWG, CGM, image.
• Output of “instant” web pages containing 3D mol content.

Automated Programming of Manufacturing Equipment

• Output of profiles in DXF, CDL, and HPGL formats.
• Conversion of TrueType fonts into profiles.
• Flat pattern development from 3D models.
• Output of filtered and sorted circle and point locations as ASCII text or XML.
• Output of 3D Stereo-lithography files (STL).
• Output of 3D models in common formats (SAT, X_T, IGES, STEP, etc.).
• 2-3 axis toolpath generation, available in optional NC package.
• Output of Post-processed NC code, available in optional NC package.