How can I use vBulletin's BBCode Parser/textarea outside of Forum?

[Oreamnos]

I am interested in using BBCode on other areas of my site outside of the forums directory. I have 2 questions regarding that:

1. Is it possible to reproduce vBulletin's standard editor (ie. textarea) with the formatting features like bold, size, color, align, etc... I want to allow my members to format some other text they are submitting without using a Rich Text Area. I dont really want to use a Java Applet.

2. How can I take advantage of vB's BBCode parser when i go to echo the text? Is there away to do something like this:

PHP Code:

echo bbcode($users_description); 


I am purchasing some software and the folks whom I am getting it from said they would put it in for a charge but I would rather just take advantage of vB's because it's what i am looking for and it's so powerful.

Thanks for your help!
Eric