Kubotek KeyCreator Version 11.5 "What's new?"

Benefits
KeyCreator 2012 V11.5 is a minor release providing interoperability updates, a half-dozen new functions, a
dozen enhancements, and correction of over 90 issues since the 11.3.1 service pack.
KeyCreator V11.5 features:
- Fresh install with default settings
- Installs to new folder, does not interfere with V11.0 and V11.3 installs
- CKD files are NOT backwards compatible from 11.5 to 11.0/11.3
Interoperability
The leading direct modeling capabilities of KeyCreator support dramatic time savings when working with
models created by others. To facilitate the re-use of models created in other CAD software; Kubotek
is constantly updating the extensive import capabilities of KeyCreator. The 2012 release V11.5 of
KeyCreator features several significant interoperability improvements.
• AutoCAD DWG/DXF Import and Export enhanced to support 2013 version files
• DS SolidWorks Import enhanced to support version 2013 files
• Autodesk Inventor Import enhanced to support 2013 version files
• Autodesk Inventor Import enhanced to support color attributes on solids
• Added STEP Import support for multiple files linked as an assembly tree
• Added STEP support for PMI data (3D dimensions)
Control
Greater control supports time savings by allowing users to accomplish their desired results with fewer
steps. KeyCreator V11.5 includes several new functions and also minor improvements to existing functions
to increase user control.
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Dynamic
• New function for dynamic creation of primitive solids
DynaHandles provide flexible re-location and adjustment during primitive creation while dialog, tooltip, and pop-up
menu options allow precise numerical input and feedback
• Deform Curve and Deform Faces functions have separated use of control points and
curve points into two modes for improved visualization of the points and simplification of
function flow
• Deform Curve and Deform Faces have been enhanced by simplifying the dialog to a
single page which can be shortened to hide options settings
The significantly simpler Deform Curves dialog
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• Deform Curve and Deform Faces have been enhanced by expanding the options available
in the DynaHandle pop-up context menus
Deform context menus now include DynaHandle options typical of other functions
• Smooth Faces function dialog has been simplified and added an option to turn off the
display of the original face
The updated Smooth Faces dialog
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Bill of Materials and Part Properties
• New function BOM Measurement supports associative stock size listing in the Bill of
Materials by linking of overall dimensions, with optional offset values, into the User Part
Properties system
Stock size can be linked to dimensions or a bounding box solid
• New function Assemblies> Edit> Set Part Properties saves user time by allowing
assignment of specific part properties to multiple parts at once based on graphical
selection of part references
Set Part Properties allows assignment of common property data to assemblies
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• Properties Options lists provides storage and quick retrieval of commonly used property
text for each separate property for time savings and consistently accurate use
Options Lists are accessed from the button next to each property field
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Miscellaneous
• New function for inserting multiple new levels between existing levels and automatically
renumbering as needed
Insert Levels save time when managing level numbering
• Sheetmetal Flange can determine the appropriate flange width and notches directly from
a selected edge without user input of width
Creation of the above flange does not require the user to determine the flange width
• New functions for attaching Hyperlinks to any entity and for activating a Hyperlink can
open a web page, part, layout, or Picture Manager set of levels and zoom window
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Visualization
Being able to immediately and clearly see details in graphical design information from various views and
configurations is one of the major overall benefits of CAD and 3D modeling. For V11.5 KeyCreator has
expanded optional use of details which remain flat to the camera for readability during 3D rotation of the
model.
• Detail Setting options expanded to allow the text of note and label entities to be unlocked
from their detail creation plane
The KeyCreator Detail Settings Options dialog highlighting the new option
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• Verify Draft Angle provides new option to not add color gradients to the model for cases
in which it is distracting or the original face color is important information
• Verify Draft Angle has an added dynamic tooltip to display the draft angle of the face
fragment under the cursor to aid in examination of moldability
• Verify Draft Angle can create labels showing draft at specific locations on the model
Verify Draft Angles dialog with new Disable gradient option and ToolTip
• Verify Thickness can optionally orient thickness measurement to the construction plane
• Verify Thickness can create notes showing thickness in different areas of the model
• Verify Thickness provides a new option to shade faces with color gradients to show
thickness variation across a part
Verify Thickness provides a dynamic ToolTip in model units and a linear dimension using detail settings
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Setup
Added settings options allow users to configure function output to match their styles and preferences.
• KeyCreator now supports OpenGL 2, the latest OpenGL graphics standard for improved
performance with graphics hardware and drivers which take advantage of this updated graphics
language
• The Create Sheetmetal Flange function has an added check to specify user preference for
measuring flange length from the end of the bend or start of the bend
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Bonus Tools
KeyCreator includes numerous extra utility CDEs and KXL programs improve productivity for special cases
or provide alternatives to existing functions. For the V11.5 release several new KXL programs, with full
source code, have been provided. Each of these programs can be loaded from the KXL\Utility folder.
Trim Sheet Spilt
• The TrimSheetSplit.kxl utility program is designed to trim or break a solid to a sheet body
and transfer face colors from the sheet body to new faces on the solid. The face colors
may represent machining operations and transferring them to the solid is important for
communication with manufacturing.
Initial block (shown in 50% transparency) and trim sheet with colored faces.
The resulting modified solid (shown in 0% transparency).
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Inspection Dimensions
• This set of three KXL utility programs supports marking selected dimensions with an
inspection number, writing a report file of inspection dimensions and tolerances, and
removing inspection status from selected dimensions.
Tagging
The TagForInspection.kxl program places numbered oblong balloon notes next
to sequentially selected linear, circular, or angular dimensions and adds selected
dimensions to the INSPTDIM group.
A simplified drawing with each dimension marked for inspection
Exporting
Exporting an inspection dimension report with the ExportDimensionReport.kxl
utility writes a comma-delimited ACSII text file containing the inspection balloon
number, dimension value, unit, upper tolerance, and lower tolerance for each
inspection dimension in the display.
Viewing the report with Notepad
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Sorting and extensive formatting of the report can be done using a program
like Microsoft Excel which reads the dimension report file through its Text
Import Wizard.
The same data imported in to Excel and sorted
Remove Inspection Tags
The RemoveInspectionTag.kxl utility removes dimensions from the INSPTDIM
group and deletes associated balloons. The utility processes all displayed
dimensions in the INSPTDIM group with an inspection number equal or higher
than the input number.
The INSPTDIM group can also be managed using standard KeyCreator group
functions.
Rename Level with Reference CKD Name
• The RenameLevelAsRefCKD.kxl utility program automates the process of matching level
names to part names. It will automatically change the name of all levels containing a
part reference to match the name of the CKD file which contains the referenced part. If
multiple part references are found on a level the program creates a sublevel for each and
names the sublevel accordingly.
10 part references in the Sprinkler Assembly sample are automatically moved to new sublevels
Kubotek USA, Inc.
2 Mount Royal Ave. Suite 500, Marlborough, MA 01752
Phone: 800-372-3872 www.kubotekusa.com sales@kubotekusa.com
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