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Manually install the CoLab integration for PTC Creo Parametric

Step-by-step guide to manually install and configure the CoLab integration for Creo Parametric.

The CoLab integration for PTC Creo Parametric supports versions 8.0.1 and later.

When to use this procedure

Use this method when:

  • Your organization manages Creo configuration centrally (shared config.pro)

  • You deploy via IT tools or scripts

  • The standard installer cannot be used

Download the integration

The installer can be downloaded from CoLab:

  • Go to Company settings -> Integration -> Creo (CoLab administrators only)

  • Or download it directly from here

Extract the installation files

You can extract the integration files in two ways, depending on your workflow.

Option 1: Use the installer

This option extracts the files and registers the CoLab integration in the system (visible in Add or Remove Programs).

  1. Run the CoLab installer

  2. Select Extract Files Only (Advanced) as the installation type

  3. Complete the installation

Option 2: Use the command line

This option extracts the files without registering the integration in the system.

Run the following command:

msiexec /qn /a <path_to_installer> TARGETDIR=<target_folder_path>

Example:

msiexec /qn /a C:\Downloads\CoLab_Creo_Integration_V1.0.0.msi TARGETDIR=C:\Temp\CoLabCreoIntegration

Once extracted, the files are placed in a PFiles64 subfolder of TARGETDIR:

Register the integration

Configure colab-creotk.dat

  1. Navigate to the installation directory (the folder containing colab-creo.dll)

  2. Run the script ​setup-colab-plugin.bat

  3. Verify that the file contains the following entries:

    1. EXEC_FILE: the full path to colab-creo.dll

    2. TEXT_DIR: the full path to the text folder

Configure config.pro

Once colab-creotk.dat is configured, add an entry to the Creo configuration file (config.pro).

Add the following line:

creotkdat <full_path_to_colab-creo.dat>

Replace <full_path_to_colab-creo.dat> with the full path to your colab-creo.dat file.

For more information about PTC Creo Parametric configuration files, see: About Configuration Files

Additional configuration for U.S. customers

If you are a U.S.-based customer, create an additional configuration file to complete the setup.

  1. In the same directory as colab-creo.dll, create a new text file named colab.properties

  2. Open the file and add the following line:

    colab_creo_server==us_prod

  3. Save the file.

This ensures the integration connects to the correct regional server.

Start Creo and verify the installation

Launch PTC Creo Parametric.

Once Creo starts, the CoLab integration loads automatically.

To verify the installation:

  • Check that no errors related to the integration are displayed in the message log at startup.

  • Confirm that the CoLab button is available in the Tools ribbon when a model is opened.

If the integration does not load, check the following:

  • The path in config.pro is correct

  • The colab-creo.dat file is properly configured

  • The DLL path (EXEC_FILE) is valid

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