RE: solidworks
Hi
KeyCreator is the new name for CadKey. It was bought out by a company called Kubotek, who changed the name and is (hopefully) pouring money into software and product developement.
I also use Solid Edge here, which I beleive is similar to Solid Works. I do 98% of my geometry developement on the KeyCreator and export into SolidEdge to take advantage of some of the detailing utilities (flange creation, draft angles, etc) that is cumbersome in KeyCreator.
I did design a trainer airplane in solids with the idea to cut the ribs and bulkheads on the laser at work. It took me so long that I got my wings and moved on to more advance planes before I even finished off the drawing. Sadly, a hard disk malfunction ended that excercise.