Innovation 2025 : Automation Studio 6.3 with Automation Studio Code Open Beta was released

Share Info & Ideas
, , , ,
1

Version 6.3 of Automation Studio has been released on June 30th, including the open beta for Automation Studio Code, a modern editor experience

670×418 283 KB

Key Features of Automation Studio 6.3

:check_mark: Import of hybrid libraries
:check_mark: Command line tool for import of 3rd party devices
:check_mark: Inclusion of Automation Studio Code open beta
:check_mark: ST-OOP support in AS Code

Key Features of AS Code

:check_mark: Fully compatible with Automation Studio 6 projects​
:check_mark: Modern editors for Structure Text and C/C++​

  • Syntax error highlighting​
  • Mini map for easy code navigation​
  • Multiline edit​
  • Changeable themes (dark/light/…)​
  • References and refactoring​

:check_mark: ST-OOP Support​
:check_mark: Git integration​
:check_mark: Full integration with AS Copilot (AI assistant) – Copilot Account required​
:check_mark: Extensible through a large pool of available plugins​
:check_mark: Static code analysis

License overview

  • Standard Automation Studio licenses are applicable
  • No additional license for Automation Studio Code
  • Usage of Automation Studio Copilot free until end of 2025 (rate limited)

QnA

Q: [Are there known limitations for AS Code usage?]

  • Yes, there are still topics being worked on
    • No localization support: AS Code UI is currently English-only.
    • PVI License (1TG0500.01) is recommended for a smooth debug and transfer experience.
    • Debugging may not work reliably with AR versions >= 6.3.0 and <= 6.3.3. It is recommended to use AR versions prior to or above this
      range for best compatibility.
    • Structured Text language support is incomplete: These limitations primarily affect the editor experience (e.g. code navigation, symbol
      renaming, IntelliSense) and do not impact the ability to build or deploy the project.

Q: [Are there limits in the Copilot usage]

  • Yes, separate limits apply for chat messages and code completions. You can inspect the remaining usage by opening the AS Copilot menu via the status bar at the bottom of the IDE window.

:books: Related topics/additional info

:link: Download
:link: Automation Software
:link: AS Code Documentation

13 Likes
2

Happy to hear that Automation Studio 6.3 and Automation Studio Code open beta were released. Feel free to use the links above for downloading and checking the documentation. Looking forward to your first impression.

1 Like
4

The commenting ability of Copilot is quite impressive but unfortunately it only works with ST. C programmers must stick with ChatGPT :slight_smile: And therefore, it added comments to my uncommented C code using ST syntax

6

Hi Jaroslav,

just confirming: installing AS 6.3 won’t uninstall AS 6.1, right? Unlike how AS 4 service pack updates worked?

Thx

7

Installation of AS6.3 will update your AS6.1, so you will have on instance of your AS6. BUT your project developed in AS6.1 will be open in compatibility mode 6.1. So it is up to you if you convert project to 6.3 or not.. see Automation Studio 6.3, compatibility mode and how to convert

1 Like
8

Very nice to have OOP features in PLC environment. Thank you for that.

Some questions regarding this “new world” in PLC which I can’t find in documentation:

  • where can I find anything regarding interfaces or inheritance which is mentioned by Tommi Piiparinen in this topic
    → not interested in creating objects with “new” but interested in interfaces/inheritance or overloading methods to reduce complexity (e.g. interface “IDrive” which is implemented by several drive classes)
  • is it possible to develop libraries in AS Code with OOP and use these libraries in “classic way” AS Studio (for machine projects)
  • will be (or is already?) unit-testing for ST implemented or integrated into the C/C++ unit tests
  • will C++ get more OOP features (AFAIK there is no inheritance or interfaces)

Thank you and nice to see progress in PLC world

9

image
image800×433 64.4 KB

Free Online Course - Walk through AS Code

The learning objectives are:

  • Use AS Code by opening an existing Automation Studio project
  • Modify source files with AS Code
  • Utilise AS Copilot for creating ST code using the code generation agent
  • Compile your project with AS Code
  • Establish an online connection with Automation Runtime Simulation
  • Transfer the project to Automation Runtime Simulation
  • Prepare the debugger, set breakpoints, and start the debugger
  • Understand the new editor features of AS Code
  • Recognise the coexistence of Automation Studio and AS Code
7 Likes