Creo Parametric Command Line

Shared command-line flags for running CadActive in Creo Parametric without the GUI: login, models, output, and Windchill.

You can run CadActive from the Creo Parametric command line — useful for scheduled jobs, Windchill workers, and unattended exports. CadActive starts with Creo, signs in, runs one action, then (by default) closes Creo.

This page covers flags that apply to every CadActive command-line run. Product-specific actions live on the articles linked below.

note

A command-line run still needs a valid CadActive sign-in and a license for the product you are calling. If Creo is not already signed in to CadActive on that workstation, pass login flags.

Before you start

The CadActive plugin that matches your Creo datecode is installed. See Install the CadActive Creo plugin.
You know the path to parametric.exe and the .psf startup file for that Creo install.
The output folder already exists if you pass -OUTPUT=.

Command line by product

Each product has its own actions. Start here for shared flags, then open the product article for -CADACTIVE= and -ACTION=.

Product	What you can run
Synchronize Command Line	Download a config profile as `config.pro`.
Standardize Command Line	Create, copy, or delete layers; apply a model template; export or import designation maps.
Automate Command Line	Import DXF, export 3D, Auto Export, rename models.
Cabling Command Line	AutoRouting from logical data.
Piping Command Line	Download the Piping master catalog.
Framework Command Line	Download the Framework (AFX) catalog.
Reporting Command Line	Run a named report to CSV or Excel.

ECAD does not have command-line actions yet. Use the CadActive ribbon in Creo.

Example

Replace the install directory, then add the product action from the matching article:

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Start Creo

These are PTC startup flags. CadActive uses them to run without a window.

Flag	Required?	What it does
`parametric.exe`	Required	Starts Creo Parametric.
`parametric.psf`	Typical	Creo startup / license file for that install.
`-g:no_graphics`	For headless runs	Starts Creo without a GUI.
`-i:rpc_input`	Typical for headless	Creo takes commands from the RPC channel instead of the UI. CadActive treats this as a batch run.
`-batch_mode`	Optional	PTC batch flag. CadActive also treats this as a batch run.

CadActive application

Flag	Required?	What it does
`-CADACTIVE=<APP>`	Required	Selects the product and turns on CadActive command-line mode. Case-insensitive (for example `STANDARDIZE` or `standardize`).
`-ACTION=<ACTION>`	Required	The task to run. See the product article.
`-KEEP_ALIVE`	Optional	Leave Creo running after the action. Default is to close Creo when the action finishes.

Skip these if CadActive is already signed in on the workstation. An API key is preferred over a password when you have one.

Flag	Required?	What it does
`-USERNAME=` and `-PASSWORD=`	If not already signed in	CadActive user name and password.
`-API_KEY=`	Alternative	Token authentication. Used instead of the password when set.
`-API_URL=`	Optional	CadActive server URL, if you need to override the default.

CadActive stops the run if the organization is not valid, licenses are expired, or the user is not active and authenticated.

Models

Model-based actions need at least one of -MODEL, -MODEL_FILE, or -MODEL_DIR.

Flag	Required?	What it does
`-MODEL=name.prt` (or `.asm` / `.drw`)	One of these, for model-based actions	The model name as Creo finds it on the search path or in session — not a full Windows file path.
`-MODEL=name.asm:SIMP_REP`	Optional form	Open that simplified representation (name, then a colon, then the rep).
`-MODEL_FILE=list.txt`	Alternative	A text file with one model name per line.
`-MODEL_DIR=folder`	Alternative	Load every model in that folder.

Output

Flag	Required?	What it does
`-OUTPUT=folder`	Optional	Folder for generated files. It must already exist. Used by Reporting, Synchronize config download, Standardize designation-map export, and Piping / Framework catalog download. If omitted, each product picks a default (often the current working directory, or the catalog directory Creo is already using).

Windchill

Optional. If you register a Windchill server for the run, pass all five of the following. You can also set environment variables with the same names (WC_USER, WC_PASS, WC_SERVER_ALIAS, WC_SERVER_URL, WC_SERVER_WORKSPACE).

Flag	Required?	What it does
`-WC_USER=`	With the other four	Windchill user name.
`-WC_PASS=`	With the other four	Windchill password.
`-WC_SERVER_ALIAS=`	With the other four	Server alias to register in Creo.
`-WC_SERVER_URL=`	With the other four	Windchill server URL.
`-WC_SERVER_WORKSPACE=`	With the other four	Workspace to activate.
`-KEEP_SERVER`	Optional	Leave the Windchill server registered when the run finishes. Default is to unregister it.