Kerf vs SOLIDWORKS

30 years of Parasolid-kernel polish — compared honestly against MIT open-core.

59/59in Kerf today

21/59in SOLIDWORKS (included)

10behind a paid tier

2026-05-19last 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	SOLIDWORKS
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/analysis.py`	yes source ↗
Fillet / chamfer (constant)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/analysis.py`	yes source ↗
Variable-radius fillet	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/analysis.py`	yes source ↗
Sweep (1 & 2 rail)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/analysis.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/network_srf.py`	yes source ↗
Assemblies — mates	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/assembly/mates.py`	yes source ↗
Assembly interference (clash)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/clash/detect.py`	yes source ↗
Assembly motion study	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/assembly/model.py`	yes source ↗
2D drawings (views/dims/sections)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/drawings/auto_dimension.py`	yes source ↗
GD&T on drawings / MBD / PMI	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/gdt/tools.py`	yes source ↗
Configurations / family variants	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/family/model.py`	yes source ↗
Large assembly performance mode	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/assembly/perf.py`	yes source ↗
Standard parts library (ISO/DIN fasteners, bearings, profiles)	yes `packages/kerf-parts/src/kerf_parts/tools.py`	yes source ↗

D2 Structural / FEA 1 of 4 matched

Capability	Kerf	SOLIDWORKS
FE — linear static (native)	yes `packages/kerf-fem/src/kerf_fem/linear_static.py`	yes source ↗
FE — fatigue (S-N)	yes `packages/kerf-fem/src/kerf_fem/fatigue_fem.py`	paid tier source ↗
Modal / buckling / nonlinear FEA	yes `packages/kerf-fem/src/kerf_fem/buckling.py`	paid tier source ↗
AISC 360 / ACI 318 member design	yes `packages/kerf-structural/src/kerf_structural/aisc_member.py`	no source ↗

D3 Machine elements 1 of 4 matched

Capability	Kerf	SOLIDWORKS
Spur/helical gear rating (AGMA/ISO 6336)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/gearstrength/iso6336.py`	no source ↗
Bearings — ISO 281 L10 / ISO/TS 16281	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/bearings/select.py`	no source ↗
Shaft stress + critical speed	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/shaft`	no source ↗
Weldments structural framework	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/weldment_profiles.py`	yes source ↗

D4 Thermal / fluid / HVAC 0 of 3 matched

Capability	Kerf	SOLIDWORKS
CFD (internal/external flow)	yes `packages/kerf-fem/src/kerf_fem/cfd_navier_stokes.py`	paid tier source ↗
HVAC duct sizing (SMACNA)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/hvac/ducts.py`	no source ↗
Heat exchanger (LMTD/ε-NTU)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/heatxfer/shell_tube_bell.py`	no source ↗

D5 Aero / marine / space 0 of 2 matched

Capability	Kerf	SOLIDWORKS
Airfoil / wing aerodynamics (VLM)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/aero/flow.py`	no source ↗
Orbital mechanics (Kepler/Hohmann/Lambert)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/aero/flow.py`	no source ↗

D6 Electronics / EDA / silicon 0 of 4 matched

Capability	Kerf	SOLIDWORKS
Schematic capture + PCB layout	yes `packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/drc.py`	paid tier source ↗
Signal integrity (Z0/crosstalk/eye/IBIS)	yes `packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/eye`	no source ↗
EMC (radiated/shielding/limits)	yes `packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/emc`	no source ↗
Wiring / harness routing	yes `packages/kerf-wiring`	paid tier source ↗

D7 Manufacturing / CAM 1 of 6 matched

Capability	Kerf	SOLIDWORKS
3-axis CAM (profile/contour/pocket/face)	yes `packages/kerf-cam/src/kerf_cam/worker.py`	yes source ↗
Multi-axis CAM (5-axis)	yes `packages/kerf-cam/src/kerf_cam/five_axis/constant_tilt.py`	paid tier source ↗
Feeds & speeds + tool-life (Taylor/Gilbert)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/cuttingtool`	partial source ↗
Nesting (2D part layout)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/nesting/nfp.py`	no source ↗
Moldflow / injection fill simulation	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/forming`	no source ↗
FDM slicing	yes `packages/kerf-slicing`	no source ↗

D8 Civil / infrastructure / geo 0 of 2 matched

Capability	Kerf	SOLIDWORKS
Road alignment (horizontal/vertical/clothoid)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/civil/alignment.py`	no source ↗
Geotech (bearing/settlement/slope/liquefaction)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/geotech/liquefaction.py`	no source ↗

D9 Dynamics / motion / controls 0 of 3 matched

Capability	Kerf	SOLIDWORKS
Planar MBD (Lagrange/DAE)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/dynamics/rigidbody.py`	paid tier source ↗
Controls — classical (Routh/Bode/PID)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/controls/statespace.py`	no source ↗
Vibration (SDOF/n-DOF modal/FRF)	yes `packages/kerf-fem/src/kerf_fem/harmonic.py`	paid tier source ↗

D10 Electrical / energy / PLC 0 of 3 matched

Capability	Kerf	SOLIDWORKS
PLC IEC 61131-3 (ST/Ladder/FB)	yes `packages/kerf-plc/src/kerf_plc`	no source ↗
Solar PV (system + partial shading)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/solarpv/shading.py`	no source ↗
AC load-flow (Newton-Raphson)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/elecpower/loadflow.py`	no source ↗

D11 Tolerancing / metrology / QA 2 of 5 matched

Capability	Kerf	SOLIDWORKS
GD&T data model (ASME Y14.5)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/gdt/datums.py`	yes source ↗
Tolerance stackup — 1D (WC/RSS)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/tolstack/stack.py`	paid tier source ↗
Tolerance stackup — 3D vector loop	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/tolstack/tol3d.py`	paid tier source ↗
Limits & fits (ISO 286)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/tolfits/fits.py`	yes source ↗
SPC control charts (Shewhart/CUSUM/EWMA)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/spc/charts.py`	no source ↗

D12 Optics / acoustics 0 of 2 matched

Capability	Kerf	SOLIDWORKS
Paraxial ray tracing / Gaussian beam	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/optics/lens.py`	no source ↗
Acoustics (ISO 9613 / RT60 / mass-law TL)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/acoustics/sound.py`	no source ↗

D13 Verticals 0 of 2 matched

Capability	Kerf	SOLIDWORKS
Jewelry design tooling	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/jewelry`	no source ↗
BIM / IFC authoring	yes `packages/kerf-bim/src/kerf_bim`	no source ↗

D14 Cost / materials / LCA 1 of 4 matched

Capability	Kerf	SOLIDWORKS
Material selection (Ashby / multi-objective)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/matsel/db.py`	no source ↗
Should-cost / DFM estimation	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/costing/estimate.py`	no source ↗
LCA (ISO 14040/44 full 4 phases)	yes `packages/kerf-lca/src/kerf_lca`	no source ↗
Scripting / automation API	yes `packages/kerf-sdk`	yes 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/solidworks.md and every claim in it carries a link.