You can exchange part and assembly level annotations as graphical representations. The default graphical representation consists of polylines while the semantic representation consists of structured validation data. Geometric and dimensional tolerances are imported and exported as stroked or exploded polylines.

The graphical representations of annotations that include Product Manufacturing Information (PMI) are exchanged in accordance with the AP214IS, AP203E1, and AP242 STEP application protocols that support the import and export of annotations. STEP AP214IS, AP203E1, and AP242 protocols support the exchange of annotations such as 3D notes, dimensions, surface finish notes and symbols, general and weld symbols, geometric and dimensional tolerances (GD&T), set datum tags, and datum targets.

The data that you use to organize the graphical representations of annotations, such as saved views, annotation planes for positioning PMI data, and the capability to link annotations with the associated geometry, are preserved. Annotation names, colors, and the geometric references are also imported and exported. If the annotations are placed on layers in the STEP files before the import, they are placed on the corresponding layers in Creo after import. After import, Creo assigns annotation names to annotation elements. When you import annotations that are not annotation features, such as driving dimensions and feature notes, you can create an annotation feature with the same name as the original feature.

The part and assembly-level combined states are assigned annotations of various types with one or more attachments. When you export the combined states of the part and assembly models, they are mapped as saved views in the various STEP application protocols. The saved views of a model enable the display of the model and its annotations, especially the PMI contained in the annotations. Saved views contain a model coordinate system that denotes the direction of the view relative to the model. They also contain a set of annotations including PMI, geometry, and one or more annotation planes. The model orientation or the direction of view that is relative to the model is defined as the camera model in STEP. You can import the saved views from the STEP formats as combined states.