About This Guide
This section contains information about the contents of this user’s guide and the conventions used.
Purpose
This manual describes how to use the VB API, a Visual Basic toolkit for Creo Parametric. The VB API makes possible the development of Visual Basic programs that access the internal components of a Creo Parametric session, to customize Creo Parametric models.
Note
The VB API is supported only with Creo Parametric. It is not supported with the other Creo applications.
Audience
This manual is intended for experienced Creo Parametric users who are familiar with Visual Basic or another object-oriented language.
Prerequisites
This manual assumes you have the following knowledge:
•  Creo Parametric
•  Visual Basic for Applications (Office macros)
•  Visual Basic .NET 2010 or above
•  Other languages with the built-in capability to use COM servers:
○  JavaScript
○  VB.Script
○  C++
○  C#
Documentation
The documentation for Visual Basics APIs includes the following:
•  VB API User’s Guide
•  An online browser that describes the syntax of the Visual Basic functions and provides a link to the online version of this manual. The online version of the documentation is updated more frequently than the printed version. If there are any discrepancies, the online version is the correct one.
Conventions
The following table lists conventions and terms used throughout this book.
Convention
Description
UPPERCASE
Creo Parametric-type menu name (for example, PART).
Boldface
Windows-type menu name or menu or dialog box option (for example, View), or utility. Boldface font is also used for keywords, VB methods, names of dialog box buttons, and Creo Parametric commands.
Monospace (Courier)
Code samples appear in courier font like this. VB aspects (methods, classes, data types, object names, and so on) also appear in Courier font.
Emphasis
Important information appears in italics like this. Italic font is also used for file names and uniform resource locators (URLs).
Choose
Highlight a menu option by placing the arrow cursor on the option and pressing the left mouse button.
Select
A synonym for “choose” as above, Select also describes the actions of selecting elements on a model and checking boxes.
Element
An element describes redefinable characteristics of a feature in a model.
Mode
An environment in Creo Parametric in which you can perform a group of closely related functions (Drawing, for example).
Model
An assembly, part, drawing, format, notebook, case study, sketch, and so on.
Option
An item in a menu or an entry in a configuration file or a setup file.
Solid
A part or an assembly.
<creo_loadpoint>
The location where the Creo applications are installed, for example, C:\Program Files\PTC\Creo 1.0.
<creo_vbapi_loadpoint>
The location where the VB API application is installed, that is, <creo_loadpoint>\<version>\Common Files\vbapi.
Note
•  Important information that should not be overlooked appears in notes like this.
•  All references to mouse clicks assume use of a right-handed mouse.
Software Product Concerns and Documentation Comments
For resources and services to help you with PTC software products, see the PTC Customer Service Guide. It includes instructions for using the World Wide Web or fax transmissions for customer support.
In regard to documentation, PTC welcomes your suggestions and comments. You can send feedback in the following ways:
•  Send comments electronically to MCAD-documentation@ptc.com.
•  Fill out and mail the PTC Documentation Survey in the customer service guide.