Skip to main content
MK_106224128-Gravel
8-Gravel
October 6, 2026
Question

How to distribute custom Annotation Templates globally via server_prefs.xml in Creo View / Windchill?

  • October 6, 2026
  • 1 reply
  • 18 views

Hi everyone,
We are trying to configure enterprise-wide annotation templates (xml file) for Creo View managed via Windchill (Visualization Configuration Administration).
The CreoView documentation includes an article titled 'Creating Annotation Templates', which only describes the internal XML structure of the file itself, but provides no information on which parameters should be used to reference it from server_prefs.xml or how to distribute these template settings enterprise-wide to all users.

What is the correct XML syntax/preference name in server_prefs.xml to lock and specify the path for custom annotation templates?
Is it possible to bundle annotation_template.xml directly into the Windchill WVS Configuration alongside server_prefs.xml so clients download it automatically without relying on shared network drives or pre-deployed local files?

Any advice or working XML examples would be greatly appreciated!

1 reply

MK_106224128-GravelAuthor
8-Gravel
October 7, 2026

Sharing the working solution here in case anyone else encounters the same issue when trying to deploy corporate Creo View annotation templates across an enterprise environment.

Solution
Step 1: Upload annotation_template.xml to Windchill WVS Configuration
1.    Log in to Windchill as an administrator.
2.    Navigate to Utilities - Visualization Configuration Administration.
3.    Open your active WVS Configuration container (e.g., default at Site or Organization level).
4.    Upload your annotation_template.xml file directly into the configuration container alongside server_prefs.xml. (Windchill WVS will now automatically push this resource file to client workstations whenever a viewable is opened).

Step 2: Update syntax in your server_prefs.xml, reference only the filename without any directory paths:

<category name="Annotation">
    <preferenceList name="templates_files">
        <preferenceItem>
            <preference name="filename" value="annotation_template.xml" locked="true"/>
        </preferenceItem>
    </preferenceList>
</category>

Step 3: Client Verification
1.    Close all active Creo View sessions (pview.exe).
2.    Delete %APPDATA%\PTC\ProductView\user_prefs.xml on the client machine to force a clean settings update.
3.    Open any 3D model directly from Windchill.
4.    Check File > Options > Annotations: the file path will be locked to annotation_template.xml, and the custom templates will now be fully functional under the Markup tab when adding notes and leader lines!
 

Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement