Creating NX Open application (External)

Submitted by bardeskar.wilson on Wed, 06/11/2014 - 23:30
Forums: 
Journaling / NXOpen API

Hi all,

I am into application development using C++. I am new to NXOpen. For my next assignment I am looking to creating an application in C++ using NXOpen libraries. The application is supposed to be external to NX environment (as an independent setup and program launcher). Where should I start? I have been reading through the documentation but have never actually worked on NX before. (I have Visual Studio 2010 and NX 8.5 installation)
The application that I am creating will read a set of points from a file and pass to NX or NX session and create a surface in NX. I intend to perform a few more operations on the surface, outside of NX, like creating a mesh.
I am having trouble in setting up the project. What selection do I need to make to have this application as external? The application need not open the NX viewer. What should the entry point of this application be?

Thanks for help in advance.

Regards
Wilson

NXJournaling - Thu, 06/12/2014 - 05:42

Check the NX help "programmer's guide" for information on how to set up the NX wizards to work with VS. The NX help is a separate install from NX itself and the help section is an optional component that is not installed by default; but the install is well worth it.

The wizard will present a number of options, one of which is creating an external (.exe) application. Occasionally the help file will refer to such an application as a "batch" application. Essentially you will be creating a console application with references to the NXOpen .dll files.

You might need an NX Author license to compile and use such an application (I'm not completely sure on this point). If so, it is an additional cost license from Siemens; check with your CAD administrator, you may already have such a license for use.