If I am not wrong,   Creo Design Essentials 12 is the licensing packing name,  where it is equals to Creo Parametric 12.

Meaning, it can use Collaborative Designer for Creo Parametric (UDO)  powerBy function to save CAD data into 3DEXPERIENCE Platform.

Is it save to assume that UDO can work with Creo Design Essentials 12??

But we don't support Creo Element / Direct with UDO powerBy