PTC Creo Toolkit: CAD automation for PTC Creo

Why CAD automation with Creo Toolkit is indispensable

27 years’ experience – your Creo Toolkit experts

Software Factory has been a PTC Software Partner for over 27 years and develops bespoke Creo Toolkit applications that automate repetitive and complex CAD processes, ensure compliance with design standards and create interfaces with third-party systems. Whether it’s a small functional enhancement or a large-scale industry-specific project, SF supports the entire development, maintenance and further development of your Creo Toolkit applications.

Industry 4.0, smart engineering and fully digital product definition (MBD, MBE, PMI) are placing increasing demands on manufacturing companies: design processes must become faster, more accurate and more automated than is possible with standard CAD functionality alone. Repetitive tasks, complex sets of rules and in-house design expertise can only be truly scaled through bespoke software extensions.

This is exactly where the Creo Toolkit API comes in: it enables the direct extension and automation of PTC Creo Parametric – from simple UI customisations right through to complete CAD automation solutions using Knowledge-Based Engineering (KBE). Software Factory brings 27 years’ experience as a PTC partner to help your business realise this potential.

Time savings

Repetitive and complex design tasks are automated – allowing your engineering team to focus on value-adding activities.

Scaling knowledge

Company-specific design knowledge is stored in Creo using Knowledge-Based Engineering (KBE) and is consistently available to every user.

Seamless integration

Interfaces to ERP, PLM and third-party systems are integrated directly into Creo – no manual data transfer, no data discontinuities.

Industry expertise

SF has been developing Creo Toolkit applications for the automotive, medical technology, energy technology, transport and other sectors for 27 years.

SF PTC Creo Toolkit – Services from Software Factory

What we develop with Creo Toolkit

Software Factory develops and maintains custom Creo applications based on the Creo Toolkit API and other interfaces such as Object Toolkit (OTK), Web Link and J-Link. From the automation of individual design steps to complete CAD automation solutions for entire product families – SF supports projects of all sizes.

Existing toolkit applications, including those from third-party providers, are adopted, maintained and further developed. The service portfolio also includes the porting of legacy applications from Pro/DEVELOP and the integration of AR/VR using Vuforia Studio into the development process.

Typical applications of CAD automation

The Creo Toolkit API covers a wide range of automation and extension scenarios. Typical use cases in SF projects:

Automation and optimisation of product development with KBE
Functional enhancements and automated repair for ModelCHECK
Interfaces to and from ERP, PLM and third-party systems
Customisation of the Creo user interface and user experience (UX)
Customer- and industry-specific product configuration and drawing production

Numerous customers from the automotive, medical technology, energy technology, transport and electronics sectors already rely on SF as their Creo Toolkit development partner – and benefit from sustainably optimised CAD processes.

Real-world case studies

SF has developed Creo Toolkit applications for an automotive OEM (Creo extensions for OEMs and suppliers, material database integration, drilling tables), for a medical technology manufacturer (geometry export for computer-aided surgery, digital requirements management) and for a transformer manufacturer (product configuration, automated drawing generation, busbar design). Motion simulation with envelope geometry calculation and optical system interfaces (Zemax to Creo) were also implemented.

Training courses and workshops for Creo Toolkit developers

As well as development, Software Factory offers one-week training courses and workshops on several dates throughout the year for developers who wish to build or further develop their own Creo Toolkit applications. This enables you to safeguard your engineering team’s in-house expertise in the long term.

PTC Creo Toolkit: Busbar Application

Analysis

We will carry out a detailed assessment of your automation requirements, processes and existing Creo environment.

Concept

You will receive a detailed development plan for your bespoke Creo Toolkit application.

Development

SF develops, tests and delivers your Creo application – and supports its maintenance and further development.

Enquiry & advice

Our Creo Toolkit experts will discuss your automation requirements with you and demonstrate how bespoke applications can make your PTC Creo environment more efficient and productive.

General enquiries about the SF PTC Creo Toolkit

What is PTC Creo Toolkit?

PTC Creo Toolkit is a C-based API that enables users to extend PTC Creo Parametric with custom functions and automate CAD processes. Using Creo Toolkit, users can develop their own applications that are directly integrated into Creo and have access to all model and system functions.

Which CAD processes can be automated using Creo Toolkit?

With Creo Toolkit, virtually all recurring or complex design tasks can be automated: from automated model creation and drawing generation, through the integration of material databases and ERP interfaces, to complete knowledge-based engineering solutions and customised user interfaces.

What is the difference between Creo Toolkit, OTK, J-Link and Web Link?

The Creo Toolkit (C-API) offers the deepest level of system access and is suitable for performance-critical applications. The Object Toolkit (OTK) is a C++ abstraction layer built on top of it. J-Link enables Java-based development, whilst Web Link provides access via web technologies. Software Factory is proficient in all four interfaces and selects the optimal technology depending on the requirements.

Can SF also take over existing Creo Toolkit applications?

Yes, Software Factory takes over, maintains and continues to develop existing Creo Toolkit applications – even if they were originally created by other developers. This also applies to legacy applications based on the older Pro/DEVELOP API that need to be ported.

What is Knowledge-Based Engineering (KBE) in the context of Creo Toolkit?

Knowledge-Based Engineering (KBE) refers to the systematic capture and automation of company-specific design knowledge within software rule sets. In the context of Creo, this means that design expertise is encoded in toolkit applications, enabling even less experienced users to design consistently in accordance with company standards.

For which sectors does SF Creo Toolkit develop applications?

Software Factory has delivered Creo Toolkit projects for the automotive sector (OEMs and suppliers), medical technology (computer-aided surgery, requirements management), energy technology (transformer manufacturers, busbar design), transport (brake manufacturers) and electronics (optical interfaces). The experience gained in these sectors is directly incorporated into new projects.

Does Software Factory also offer training courses for Creo Toolkit?

Yes, Software Factory offers one-week training courses and workshops on several dates throughout the year for developers who wish to develop or further develop their own Creo Toolkit applications. The training courses are aimed at software developers with an interest in CAD automation in PTC Creo.

How does a Creo Toolkit project at SF differ from a standard software project?

A Creo Toolkit project requires in-depth expertise in two areas simultaneously: CAD design processes and software development. Software Factory has been combining both for 27 years as a PTC partner – and understands both the engineering requirements of the target audience and the technical capabilities and limitations of the Creo API.