Using the NX Journal Editor (SNAP quick-start)

Two ways to write/run SNAP code are contrasted: the NX Journal Editor (no setup required, minimal/no IntelliSense — fine for simple programs) vs. Visual Studio (requires a small setup step, much better dev experience — covered in the guide's next chapter).

Prerequisite: .NET Framework

SNAP requires a specific .NET Framework version — check the Release Notes for your NX release to find which version, then install it from Microsoft's site. The download page offers a "Runtime" and a "Developer Pack" — you need the Developer Pack, not just the Runtime.

Example 1: Hello World walkthrough

1. Run NX, create a new part file.
2. Menu → Tools → Journal → Edit, or press Alt+F11 — opens the Journal Editor window.
3. Click the second icon in the Journal Editor toolbar to open a file; load SnapSample.vb, found at [...NX]\UGOPEN\SNAP\Templates ([...NX] is shorthand for the NX install root, typically C:\Program Files\Siemens\NX <NX Version>).
4. This template is the skeleton of a simple VB.NET SNAP program.

(Page continues with editing/running the template to print "Hello World" — not yet transcribed in full; see PDF pages 5-6 for the remaining walkthrough steps and output screenshot.)