# KeyCreator Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra > Is KeyCreator the right 3D CAD solution for you? Explore 114 verified user reviews from people in industries like yours to make a confident choice. Source: https://www.capterra.com/p/9512/KeyCreator/reviews --- KeyCreator 4.5 (114) [View alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/9512/KeyCreator/alternatives/) Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/our-story/) * * * Last updated March 13th, 2026 # Reviews of KeyCreator Ease of use 4.4 Customer Service 4.3 ## Pros and Cons in Reviews Sean D Owner, Solid Modeler, DesignerAutomotive, Self-employedUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “KeyCreator translation is pretty good and of course has translators for a lot file types.“ March 25, 2026 Sean D Owner, Solid Modeler, DesignerAutomotive, Self-employedUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “Replace face often fails, thickening complex sheets is almost impossible.“ March 25, 2026 Souleymane D Training assistant Mining & Metals, 5,001 - 10,000 employeesUsed the software for: 6-12 months. “The feature I liked is the direct modeling approach, which allows creators to directly modify 3D models without being limited by parametric history.“ August 26, 2023 Sean D Owner, Solid Modeler, DesignerAutomotive, Self-employedUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “Software has stability issues that I don't see in my supplemental software. “ March 25, 2026 Souleymane D Training assistant Mining & Metals, 5,001 - 10,000 employeesUsed the software for: 6-12 months. “It also offers the ability to create solid models and 2D drawings, enabling the creation of complex geometries.“ August 26, 2023 MV Michael V Engineering LeadMechanical or Industrial Engineering, 51 - 200 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “Some of the files that we open from customers that use AutoCad have issues bringing in all of their information. “ January 24, 2023 TC Todd C PresidentBusiness Supplies and Equipment, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “KeyCreator is an essential software package for our custom tool & die shop. Since most of our work is unique and doesn't often get repeated (if ever), it's critical for our CAD software to get the job done efficiently and accurately.“ January 27, 2023 Sk Scott k Engineering ManagerAutomotive, 51 - 200 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “Sometimes the self-contained help search in the software can get you out of trouble, but more often than not it is rather geeky.“ January 31, 2023 ## Showing most helpful reviews Showing 1-25 of 114 Reviews Sort by: Most Helpful Rating Company Size Reviewer's Role Length of Use Frequency of Use Tom D. Owner Defense & Space Used the software for: 2+ years ### "User for over 20 years!" November 9, 2018 5.0 Pros I have been making models and prototypes for over 35 years and have been using KeyCreator for over 20 years, starting with CadKey. I receive files from my clients who use a wide variety of CAD programs and I seldom have issues with translation. When I do, KeyCreator technical support will help me figure out the issue promptly. I have seen the program make leaps and bounds in ease of use over the years, from editing poor quality imported files to creating our own complex files. The Dynamic move and face handles are awesome and are used constantly in my work. Cons We do tons of 3D printing, which requires working with stl files. Importing and editing stl files is not a strong suit for KeyCreator, but exporting them for printing works perfectly well. Though the initial cost of KC is comparatively low, the annual maintenance is a bit frustrating, but I guess that is the cost of program up keep. Review Source QH Quentin H. mining engineer, welding engineer, retired Mining & Metals Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Key Creator is the CAD you want" January 19, 2023 5.0 I really love this program I am retired now by keep my maintenance fees up. Getting help, the few times I've needed has always been fast and easy at no cost (maintenance feed is up to date) these guys are \[SENSITIVE CONTENT\] on the spot!!! I've never had to wait for help. Pros First: I've been using Kubotek KeyCreator since it was CadKey, at least 20 years ago. I am self taught and I am pretty good. The big thing with Keycreator is it is easily self taught. it has been button driven since it was Cadkey. It is set up by Mechanical engineers (I think) NOT ARCUTECTS or civil engineers. Dimensioning parts is pretty much like a machinist would do it. There is and never was a need to type in commands. I personally believe a new to CAD person could sit down and teach themselves this program is 3-4 days (8 hours per day). A day of "teaching" where to look and getting the proper mind set would definitely help but is not necessarily needed. Cons No one has heard of it!! :) :) I usually make a solids and then burst various views after importing. This seems to save "space" and keep the file size down. it is a pain if changes must be made do the original solids since I have to change the 2D drawings of parts manually or just import can create new 2D drawings (again bursting the part views. No biggie however. Alternatives considered [AutoCAD](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/) Reason for choosing KeyCreator AutoCad was available but it was type in commands and was obviously designed/written by someone who never made or dimensioned a mechanical part. I've tried AutoCAD at variuos times over the years and still think they do not have a real clue. They are now button driven or at least more than they were. Review Source Sean D. Owner, Solid Modeler, Designer Automotive Used the software for: 2+ years ### "I miss the days of feeling like this software was moving forward." March 25, 2026 2.0 KeyCreator just isn't moving forward with the current times. Things that take me hours in KeyCreator I can often do in minutes in my supplemental software. I stopped paying maintenance because quite frankly I was getting nothing useful for what I do to justify paying it, but the downfall there is, I now also no longer get updates for my Mold Software XMD which was constantly making improvements. I hope one day KC will play catchup and I can come back, but that isn't likely. Pros That XMD (Expert Mold Designer) runs under it, this is still the best mold design software out there by far (I know, I've been looking). KeyCreator translation is pretty good and of course has translators for a lot file types. Being able to get working on files quickly and fixing broken solids pretty quickly is a huge benefit. Cons Very old interface and lack of any parametric capabilities hinders speed of mold modelling. Software has stability issues that I don't see in my supplemental software. I have to pay for a supplemental software because quite frankly, the modelling in KeyCreator has gone completely stagnate. There's been pretty much zero improvements in blending, if a blend fails it just kicks you out of that command and you have to reselect all over again. There's also multiple blend commands and one might work and the other will. Replace face often fails, thickening complex sheets is almost impossible. You get no feed back when something doesn't work, so you have no idea why it didn't. Boolean operations often fail. I will often do my rough PL in KC, then bring that into my supplemental software to do all my blending and thickening my sheet for clearance. Even if Boolean operations fail for me, I can bring that data into my supplemental software and 99% of the time it works fine in there. Review Source RH Randy H. Owner Design Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Key Creator is rock solid" January 30, 2026 5.0 I have been raised on the software. I worked in the Aircraft industry, Automotive Industry and packaging industry. At all times Key Creator was my go to for conceptual design. Pros The translation capabilities. I have been using Cadkey/Key Creator since late 1985, basically since its inception. I have had to, in my profession deal with multiple cutomers that use AutoCad, Catia etc, and I can always pull their files in to Key Creator, make modifications and export the file back in to their software seamlessly. Cons My only real concern is the rendering capabilities. If I trully want to see my model in a realistic light, I export it to Autocad. Review Source Response from Kubotek Kosmos February 10, 2026 Thank you, Randy, for your loyalty & appreciation! == Team KeyCreator KS Keith S. Product Manager Automotive Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Easy to use for such a full featured package" July 17, 2019 4.0 Support has always been top notch with response times typically of a day or two at most and correspondence from point of contact is exceptional. The software has never failed to produce our designs no matter how complex the job. The software is a complex and complete 3D package with rendering and even animation capabilities and yet has one of the shortest learning curves to be proficient with that I've ever seen. We can train new users in just a few days and they are designing on their own in no time. Software updates have their occasional bugs and visual anomalies which I assume is from the smaller install base and therefore low number of testers available compared to some of the others. Pros Ease of use Short learning curve Large translator base built in Can easily modify features of an imported (from another software package) solid model All the features you would expect and more Cons Minor bugs typically make their way into new versions (wait until the patch to update) Alternatives considered [SolidWorks Premium](https://www.capterra.com/p/93121/SolidWorks-Premium/)[AutoCAD](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/) Reason for choosing KeyCreator At the time of purchase the software was discounted by a rate that made it ridiculous to choose anything else. Since then the package has proven itself time and again to be the best choice even disregarding the savings and features are added nearly every new release. Review Source LB Lawrence B. Owner Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Keycreator Review" January 24, 2023 3.0 Our company is a specialty electrical mfg. solving unique applications, one off parts. Pros I am very familiar with the software, using it since CadKey ver 3.0. Flexible for designing Cons Sheetmetal, it will form something and will not unfold the part it just formed. No option to change metal thickness unless you unfold the part. BOM is hard to use. Training documentation is not very easy use. Alternatives considered [AutoCAD](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/) Reason for choosing KeyCreator Easier to learn at the time, (Version 3.0 Cadkey) and it was capable to do 3D Review Source TS Tim S. engineering Design Mechanical or Industrial Engineering Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Ones view of Key Creator" January 24, 2023 5.0 We make parts both little, 0.125", and large, 15", it depends on the size of the printer. We have do some outdoor fountains and large power distribution systems. Pros 3D cad drawing, exporting to 3D printing Software, Customers that ask for other formats, web sites that have 34D Cad drawing on site. Cons being able to remote work without signing off on main computer Alternatives considered [SolidWorks Premium](https://www.capterra.com/p/93121/SolidWorks-Premium/)[AutoCAD](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/)[IronCAD](https://www.capterra.com/p/158181/IronCAD-Design-Collaboration-Suite/) Reason for choosing KeyCreator Cost and ease of use, was first mid-priced real 3D cad program and we stayed with it. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Tooling and Facilities Engineer Plastics Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "KeyCreator Review" July 3, 2019 5.0 It is a easy software to use, with numerous functions. It could use a user interface overhaul, but other than that it works well. Pros KeyCreator excels at modifying surfaces, 2D editing, and the use of layers to control the model. It also is a great conversion software from other native CAD file types. Cons Native conversion software for proprietary file types such as Solidworks, NX, Catia, Autodesk, etc. Alternatives considered [SolidWorks Premium](https://www.capterra.com/p/93121/SolidWorks-Premium/) Reason for choosing KeyCreator Legacy software that was designed using CadKey. Review Source Cliff H. Owner Machinery Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Keycreator great package, reasonable price" November 9, 2018 4.0 My overall experience has been pretty good. But to be honest, the problem has to be major before I will contact them. I usually figure out a work around and keep working. Pros It can handle any drawing/ modelling task that I have had do. The feature editing capabilities and the dimension driven editing. It is also easy to customize and generate macros or programs to help me be productive. Cons I don't have any major dislikes that come to mind. It does have a bug or two but any package as complex as this is not going to be perfect. The main issue would be long delays in layout processing for the first time in large assemblies and it really gives you no idea where it is 5% or 95% or is it hung. Review Source Dawn B. Engineering Support Manager/Technical Documentation Machinery Used the software for: 2+ years ### "CadKey to KeyCreator " January 29, 2019 5.0 I use Keycreator from the simplest part drawing, to the complete machine drawing, to the exploded view that I export into our parts manuals. Keycreator's value allows a small company draw big. Pros I have been using Keycreator for 20+ years. Staring with just 2D and growing with the software to 3D modeling. There are many functions that make my work easier, starting with the fastener and structural shape library to the export of .pdf and images. Bending sheet metal and shelling solids are two functions that I use daily, along with .dxf to laser cutters. Cons Imports from .iges and .step files can be challenging at times, depending on how they were saved. Review Source SE Steven E. owner Furniture Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Does it all in one package" June 26, 2019 5.0 With the huge library of translators I'm able to open almost any format from auto industry parts manufactures and create vacuum hold down fixtures to fit their products. I ship the finished fixture with the tool paths for their machinery. Geometry based editing allows me to create files that are difficult to impossible to render with history based Cad. Pros The integrated G-code generator saves tons of time posting to my 3 axis mill Cons Migrating to the newest version is always an afternoon lost importing settings and tweeking all the menus as I wish them to appear. Although it was easier with the latest release. Alternatives considered [SolidWorks Premium](https://www.capterra.com/p/93121/SolidWorks-Premium/)[Rhino 7](https://www.capterra.com/p/58468/Jewelry-Modeling/)[AutoCAD](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/) Reason for choosing KeyCreator My legacy work was in Cadkey and I still use some of those files dating back to Cadkey 19. Review Source BB Bill B. Designer Automotive Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Easy to learn design software that work well for mold design with XMD (Expert Mold Designer)" January 19, 2023 4.0 It works well for mold design with XMD (Expert Mold Designer) Pros Easy to learn / use design tools.The solid tools work well if your solid is clean, not so well when starting with bad solids.The software is constantly being updated and issues get resolved. Cons Not the best software for surface generation. Review Source cR chris R. ENGINEERING DIRECTOR Military Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Review" January 31, 2023 4.0 Awesome software-- we have seen this software develop since early 1990's- keep up the good work! Pros \-Ease of changing (Box Move)-Quick-Does not have to use parametric features (not history driven) Cons \-Please add a reference dimension quick button/check box so we do not have to add ( ) manually.-We also use SW for the analysis package- at one time you were developing this capability? Reason for choosing KeyCreator \-Started with it in 1991; still using it with 8 engineers. Review Source Response from Kubotek Kosmos February 1, 2023 Chris, thanks for your support. The option you are looking for related to reference dimensions was added in our 2023 release. Check the Tolerance mode setting on the Primary units page (pg 1) of the dimension format dialog. HP Heiner P. President and Chief Engineer Mechanical or Industrial Engineering Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Great stable and versatile platform." June 27, 2019 5.0 Have been using it uninterrupted for 30 years. We design millions of dollars of new products annually with this software. Pros It works with any and all CAD files. We work with many companies and they all use different systems. It has crashed 10-15 times since 1989 when I began with Cadkey V1.62. (And I knew what I did to cause it each time...) They have also not moved a single button on me since 1989 as well. The classic "skin" that I use is still working, despite two newer interfaces being developed in the passing years. There is NO HISTORY, which means it truly is DIRECT MODELLING. I can produce work about 5-10 times quicker than the other leading platforms. I would retire and open a coffee shop if KeyCreator was no longer available. Cons FEA analysis is no longer integrated in the package. Reason for choosing KeyCreator The Direct Modelling, and interoperability with foreign files. No other package can do what KeyCreator can. Review Source TR Trevor R. Designer Automotive Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Too many workarounds" November 20, 2020 1.0 Terrible experience for 20 years and am begging bosses to get something that works like Solidworks. We dropped the update contract because we got nothing for it. Support is terrible updates never fix any of the core issues. Pros I hate this software and am forced to use by the company I work for. Not efficient at all, too many workarounds to make things work. Simple to use, simple to learn but no power - not smart Cons No power what so ever. I have used this for 20 years back when it was Cadkey. Surfacing has always been terrible. Won't generate constant fillets. Always have to create nurbspline for trimming surfaces if there are multiple edges. Crashes when it doesn't like something you are attempting to do like shell a solid. Never improving the software just adding junk nobody needs and doesn't work properly anyways. This is a good software for drawing lines and arcs or very simple solids or surfaces. Review Source RM Rick M. Project Engineer Machinery Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Nice program but room for improvements in the help tool" July 3, 2019 4.0 I use it to create various parts, molds, 3D printed parts, fixtures, etc. Pros I found it relatively easy to use this program after using another software for over 30 years. It's reasonably powerful in the tools it offers, and very forgiving and I like that you can back-track and try something else if it doesn't give you the results you were looking for. Cons The help function is lacking, they should show examples of the tool you are asking for help with and walk thru each option explaining how, and when, to use them. This is one of my biggest complaints with the software. I also would like to see it retain the values from the last time you used a tool, some of them do, but many do not. When copying items it would be great if it would evenly space the copies between two selected points, that would save a lot of time. Review Source GR George R. Plant Manager Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "thankful that the program had the same options as the version I used back in the 90's " February 1, 2023 4.0 this works very well with the part of the company that I manage Pros the software is easy to use for me because its similar to the software I was using so thankfully I didn't have to learn a brand new and different software Cons some features I haven't looked at closely are bothersome but I know there are settings that can be changed to make those functions operate differently Review Source RL Ronald L. Development Engineer Oil & Energy Used the software for: 2+ years ### "KeyCreator Review" January 24, 2023 5.0 In tooling development it is very helpful to see tool before fabrication so you know if it is going to work or not. Pros Easy to use and design creatively because you don't have to make sure everything is connected. Cons I wish that FEA was better. I have colleagues who say the FEA is not quite as good as ANSYS. Review Source TR Tim R. Mold Designer Plastics Used the software for: 2+ years ### "KeyCreator Review" February 7, 2023 5.0 I've used KeyCreator since it was Cadkey. I've never had a 3D modelling challenge that I couldn't resolve using the KeyCreator product. Pros Ease of use for 3D modelling, solid 3D translators Cons I'd like to see more standard color options Review Source CP CRAIG P. ENGINEER Defense & Space Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Not the most well known software but very productive." July 8, 2019 4.0 I use this software everyday for flat development and to translate customers cad files into something that can be shared with non cad users. I find the 3d pdf to be very useful to help people to see the "big picture" on complex assemblies. Pros It's just easy and fast. I am faster, self taught in a few months, in KeyCreator than I was in my old software with years of training. Cons There is a lack of organization to the the online lessons. It feels like everything was dumped into a bucket and you have to dig for something relevant to what you need. I also don't see anything new from the last 8 years or so. Review Source MB Manoj B. Dimensional Engineer Automotive Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Kubotek Review based on the past 3 revisions" November 12, 2018 4.0 We use cad for differentiating engineering changes between old and new CAD models, KeyCreator does the perfect job on that part. Can see very minute differences too. Most of the time we use Keycreator for creating gd&t and roadmaps for the assembly and stampings which does the job pretty well. If you ask me to suggest, I prefer some default gd&t/drawing pages and title blocks for the organization. Also, it would be awesome if you include a tool for tolerance stackups. Pros User friendly - anyone can learn easily. Simple layout/ atmosphere. Best for designing solids like the die and tools. Cons Some of the Cads received from customer doesn't load that easily - takes lot of time compared to other softwares. I see transition errors with some of the assembly cad files. Doesn't interpret magenta/mating surfaces on some cad files. Review Source JM JOHN M. Owner/CEO Mechanical or Industrial Engineering Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Keycreator applied in real life" July 3, 2019 5.0 I have had Cadkey, which was the origination of what we have now in keycreator since 1986. So I have seen this grow from a 3d wireframe cad system to what it is today. Pros That you are not tied to a certain way (by the product or code writers) to use the product. Keycreator allows multiple way to design and utilize building the model that is under construction. Cons There are some features that we would personally like to have changed, and the support team allows us to submit our requests for their review and possible changes. Review Source JB Josh B. Tool Designer Mechanical or Industrial Engineering Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Good CAD for designing" January 27, 2023 5.0 Pros The software makes it relatively easy to modify solids as you are designing. Cons It's hard to think of anything I like the least, because overall I think the pros outweigh any cons. Review Source JO Jesus O. General Director Packaging and Containers Used the software for: 2+ years ### "The CAD System I love since more than 30 years ago." January 30, 2019 5.0 I have been using this software since I was 20 years old. It was called Cadkey. Now I'm 54. I mainly design all the plastic products that we manufacture in this software. As I mentioned, what I liked the most of it is its intuitiveness, I mean is very logic. Other CAD software doesn't have such intuitiveness, so it is very difficult to find the function you are looking for. Even though the rest of my designers use other CADs (because they are used to them), I have no problem to import their drawings, neither to export mine to them with the format they requiere. Pros The easy of use and how intuitive it is. Cons When handling too many entities, it is sometimes slow. In the past there use to be tutorials for each function, directly recorded in the software folder. Review Source MV Mark V. Owner Mechanical or Industrial Engineering Used the software for: 2+ years ### "KeyCreator - Great for Contractors (and everyone else)" November 13, 2018 5.0 It has been the central plank of my contracting business for well over twenty years. Pros 3D modelling (and 2D drawing and detailing) in a very natural, unconstrained, intuitive manner that is not only easy to use, but very quick in execution in most circumstances. Cons Bugs (but they all have those) and those few things in which I think I have a better idea than the programmers (you might call them idiosyncrasies). Review Source Similar Products Featured ## Send me user reviews about this product ### Fill out the form and we'll send a list of the top-rated software based on real user reviews directly to your inbox.