Mechanical

Kerf vs PTC Creo

Creo invented the parametric feature tree — Kerf brings that same discipline to teams who can't afford the subscription.

58/58in Kerf today

19/58in PTC Creo (included)

16behind a paid tier

2026-05-24last reviewed

Grouped by discipline (D1–D14), same as Kerf's own capability list. Click a section to expand it.

D1 Geometry & core CAD 15 of 15 matched

Capability	Kerf	PTC Creo
Constraint sketcher (geo + dim)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/sketch.py`	yes source ↗
Pad / pocket / revolve	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/routes.py`	yes source ↗
Fillet / chamfer (constant)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/routes.py`	yes source ↗
Variable-radius fillet	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/routes.py`	yes source ↗
Shell / hollow	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/routes.py`	yes source ↗
Sweep (1 & 2 rail)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/routes.py`	yes source ↗
Loft	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/feature_loft.py`	yes source ↗
Patterns (linear/polar) + mirror	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/routes.py`	yes source ↗
Sheet metal	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/construction_verbs_tools.py`	yes source ↗
NURBS surfacing (blend/network/patch)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/geom/class_a_surfacing.py`	yes source ↗
Assemblies — mates	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/assembly/mates.py`	yes source ↗
Large assembly / simplified representations	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/assembly/mates.py`	yes source ↗
2D drawings (views/dims/sections)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/geom/make2d.py`	yes source ↗
Configurations / family variants	yes `src/components/ConfigurationsPanel.jsx`	yes source ↗
B-rep booleans (general NURBS)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/occ_helpers.py`	yes source ↗

D2 Structural / FEA 0 of 6 matched

Capability	Kerf	PTC Creo
FE — solid (tet/hex)	yes `packages/kerf-fem/src/kerf_fem/calculix_bridge.py`	paid tier source ↗
Modal / buckling / nonlinear	yes `packages/kerf-fem/src/kerf_fem/modal.py`	paid tier source ↗
FE — plate / shell (native)	yes `packages/kerf-fem/src/kerf_fem/linear_static.py`	paid tier source ↗
Fatigue (S-N, ε-N, rainflow)	yes `packages/kerf-fem/src/kerf_fem/fatigue_fem.py`	paid tier source ↗
AISC 360-22 steel (members)	yes `packages/kerf-structural/src/kerf_structural/aisc_member.py`	no source ↗
ASCE 7-22 seismic	yes `packages/kerf-structural/src/kerf_structural/load_combinations.py`	no source ↗

D3 Machine elements 0 of 6 matched

Capability	Kerf	PTC Creo
Spur/helical gear rating (AGMA 2001-D04)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/gears.py`	partial source ↗
Gear rating (ISO 6336)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/gears.py`	partial source ↗
Bearings — ISO 281 L10	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/bearings/select.py`	partial source ↗
Fasteners — VDI 2230	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core`	no source ↗
Springs (compr/ext/torsion/Belleville)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core`	no source ↗
Shaft (stress + critical speed)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core`	no source ↗

D6 Electronics / EDA / silicon 0 of 5 matched

Capability	Kerf	PTC Creo
Schematic capture (KiCad round-trip, ERC)	yes `packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/schematic/capture.py`	no source ↗
PCB layout (tscircuit, KiCad round-trip)	yes `packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/fab`	no source ↗
SPICE simulation	yes `packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/routes_spice.py`	no source ↗
Signal integrity (Z0/crosstalk/eye/IBIS)	yes `packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/si`	no source ↗
Wiring/harness (WireViz + 3D router)	yes `packages/kerf-wiring/src/kerf_wiring`	paid tier source ↗

D7 Manufacturing / CAM 0 of 9 matched

Capability	Kerf	PTC Creo
3-axis CAM (profile/contour/pocket/face)	yes `packages/kerf-cam/src/kerf_cam/routes.py`	paid tier source ↗
5-axis (kinematics + posts)	yes `packages/kerf-cam/src/kerf_cam/worker.py`	paid tier source ↗
Turning cycles (G71/G70/threading)	yes `packages/kerf-cam/src/kerf_cam/routes.py`	paid tier source ↗
Feeds & speeds + tool-life	yes `packages/kerf-cam/src/kerf_cam/tool_db.py`	paid tier source ↗
Adaptive / trochoidal clearing	yes `packages/kerf-cam/src/kerf_cam/adaptive.py`	paid tier source ↗
G-code post (Fanuc/GRBL/LinuxCNC/Mach3)	yes `packages/kerf-cam/src/kerf_cam/posts/fanuc_3x.py`	paid tier source ↗
Moldflow / fill sim	yes `packages/kerf-manufacturing/src/kerf_manufacturing/moldflow/flow_front.py`	paid tier source ↗
Nesting (skyline + true-shape NFP)	yes `packages/kerf-manufacturing/src/kerf_manufacturing/moldflow/flow_front.py`	no source ↗
FDM slicing (Cura)	yes `src/components/PrintSliceView.jsx`	no source ↗

D9 Dynamics / motion / controls 3 of 5 matched

Capability	Kerf	PTC Creo
Kinematics (four-bar/slider-crank/cam)	yes `packages/kerf-motion/src/kerf_motion/joints.py`	yes source ↗
Planar MBD (Lagrange/DAE, Baumgarte)	yes `packages/kerf-motion/src/kerf_motion/integrator.py`	yes source ↗
3D MBD with constraint enforcement	yes `packages/kerf-motion/src/kerf_motion/joints.py`	yes source ↗
Controls — classical (Routh/Bode/RL/PID tune)	yes `packages/kerf-motion/src/kerf_motion/tools.py`	no source ↗
Controls — state-space / LQR / Kalman	yes `packages/kerf-motion/src/kerf_motion/tools.py`	no source ↗

D11 Tolerancing / metrology / QA 1 of 6 matched

Capability	Kerf	PTC Creo
GD&T data model (ASME Y14.5)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core`	yes source ↗
GD&T on drawings / MBD / PMI	yes `src/components/DrawingView.jsx`	paid tier source ↗
Tolerance stackup — 1D (WC/RSS/MC)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core`	paid tier source ↗
Tolerance stackup — 3D vector loop	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core`	paid tier source ↗
Limits & fits (ISO 286)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core`	partial source ↗
Process capability (Cpk/Ppk)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core`	no source ↗

D13 Verticals 0 of 3 matched

Capability	Kerf	PTC Creo
Generative design / topology optimisation	yes `packages/kerf-fem/src/kerf_fem`	paid tier source ↗
Jewelry (41 modules)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/jewelry/`	no source ↗
BIM (walls/slabs/framing/stairs/IFC4)	yes `packages/kerf-bim/src/kerf_bim`	no source ↗

D14 Cost / materials / LCA 0 of 3 matched

Capability	Kerf	PTC Creo
Should-cost (6 processes, Boothroyd-Dewhurst)	yes `packages/kerf-manufacturing/src/kerf_manufacturing`	no source ↗
Material selection (Ashby)	yes `packages/kerf-lca/src/kerf_lca`	partial source ↗
LCA (full ISO 14040/44 4 phases)	yes `packages/kerf-lca/src/kerf_lca`	no source ↗

yes shipped
partial works with limits
paid tier present, but behind an add-on or meter
no not available

Corrections welcome. These rows are read off published documentation on the date shown and go stale as products ship. If a row is wrong, open an issue — the source file is public/compare/creo.md and every claim in it carries a link.