Design Development Tools
RSLogix, and now Design Studio 5000, are the better known of the Rockwell Software design tools. We will address these here, but also describe the more specialised options now available
Here’s an annotated overview of key Rockwell Automation Software offerings, highlighting RSLogix and Design Studio first, then moving through emulation, architecture and analysis tools—with a special AI‑focused section at the end.
One unusual thing we have noted is that software products tend to be described by their name rather than catalogue numbers. Further, while catalogue numbers may be quoted by a distributor, don’t expect that these are referenced on any websites! Verbatim comment here by our distributor “Rockwell sometimes go by different catalogue numbers which can make it confusing as some customers think they have the incorrect item.” So, expect confusion!
RSLogix / Studio 5000 Logix Designer
Originally known as RSLogix 5000, now rebranded within the Studio 5000 Logix Designer application. It’s the core programming environment for Allen‑Bradley Logix 5000 family PLCs (ControlLogix, CompactLogix etc.), supporting discrete, process, safety, motion & drive logic in a unified IDE.
Available in Professional, Full, Standard and Lite editions, the nuances are not always so clear. Professional, Full and Lite for example come complete with the four programming languages (Ladder, SFC, FBD and STL), but Standard only has Ladder. The apparent bonus of Lite edition is explained by it being limited for use with CompactLogix controllers only, not ControlLogix. Given however the power and features of the little brother product, this may not be an impediment.
Add-on Modules
The professional edition of Studio 5000 contains the four programming languages described above. When purchasing the Standard Edition, each of these languages can be purchased separately. Further, these add-ons are available;
- Phase Manager – Phase manager executes phases based on industry standard S88 and PackML data and control structures. These predefined structures encapsulate complex phase logic interface (PLI) code, which is typically time-consuming and prone to error when created from scratch.
- GuardLogix Safety Editor – The upcoming L9 processor has inbuilt safety, you no longer require a dedicated safety controller. So incorporating safety in the main controller just got easier. This editor is however needed to develop safety code.
- SequenceManager – Essentially a batch controller
- RSNetworx – Provides design and configuration management services for ControlNet™, DeviceNet™, and EtherNet/IP™
- PIDE AutoTune – Requires a bit more work to use the Function Block PIDE instead of the Ladder PID instruction, but the AutoTune works really well and saves a lot of time if you don’t have the luxury of a process that can be tested effectively outside the production environment.
- Advanced Process Controls (APC) – A set of instructions to simplify the implementation of process control algorithms.
- APC Runtime Licence
FactoryTalk Design Studio
A modern, cloud‑based, multi‑user automation design environment. It enables requirements‑based design and collaborates across controllers. Latest versions include a Generative AI Copilot powered by Microsoft Azure OpenAI—allowing engineers to generate PLC code or get design guidance via natural language prompts.
Emulation Tools
Studio 5000 Logix Emulate
Software‑based emulation of Logix controllers (Logix Emulate™, formerly RSLogix Emulate 5000). Allows validation, testing, I/O simulation, breakpoints, snapshots, and logic execution without physical hardware. Excellent for early code validation and operator training integrations. Allows for multiple virtual controllers to be installed in a virtual backplane, along with IO simulation.
FactoryTalk Logix Echo
A controller emulation tool designed specifically to mirror ControlLogix 5580 controllers. Used for prototyping, testing, and integration scenarios, often in combination with LogixAI predictive simulation.
Studio 5000 Simulation Interface (add‑on)
Connects emulated or physical controllers to external simulation/modeling tools like Emulate3D for virtual commissioning or model‑based design. Enables comparison of operational vs. simulation data and early debugging of system performance.
Architecture / Planning
Studio 5000 Architect
Graphical system‑level planning tool inside Studio 5000. Allows you to define controllers, HMIs, communication topology, import CAD data (AutomationML), and build multi‑controller/multi‑visual project layouts. One central ‘system diagram’ tied into Logix Designer and View Designer workflows.
Analysis & Simulation
Emulate3D Digital Twin
Virtual commissioning tool that brings mechanical designs to life using high‑fidelity digital twins. Often integrated with NVIDIA Omniverse to simulate entire lines for validation, risk mitigation, and optimisation before deploying hardware.
Arena Simulation
Discrete event simulation software (acquired by Rockwell). Models complex business or manufacturing processes, allows performance metrics, throughput analysis, ‘what‑if’ evaluation, and integration via VBA/Excel/Visio.
Motion Analyzer / FactoryTalk Motion Analyzer
Tool for sizing, selecting, analysing and validating motion control systems (e.g. Kinetix drives/servos). Helps engineers design optimised motion solutions with simulation and validation feedback.
FactoryTalk Analytics suite
Includes Historian, DataMosaix, Energy Manager, Pavilion8, Transaction Manager, LogixAI, etc. These provide descriptive to prescriptive analytics, production monitoring, energy optimisation, and data‑backed operational insights.
➤ Special Section: AI in Rockwell Software
FactoryTalk Design Studio Copilot (Generative AI)
Embedded assistant allowing system designers to describe system requirements in plain language and automatically generate or explain PLC code and design principles. Improves productivity and reduces manual coding errors in multi‑user systems.
FactoryTalk Analytics VisionAI
Edge‑to‑cloud, no‑code visual inspection solution powered by AI-developed with Rockwell’s partner Elementary. Detects and classifies defects in real time, integrates with FactoryTalk Hub, supports SOC 2 security, and provides dashboards for root‑cause analysis and quality yield improvement.
FactoryTalk Analytics LogixAI
AI‑driven predictive analytics embedded into Logix systems. Allows operational teams to build predictions (e.g. for filling, process deviation) and simulate these within Logix Echo emulations. Supports virtual testing & training scenarios with predictive behaviors integrated into controllers.
Analytics Accelerator for FactoryTalk Historian & ThingWorx
Pre‑built mashups and modeling tools built on ThingWorx to turn historical plant data into machine learning models—ready for predictive maintenance, downtime forecasting, energy usage predictions, etc. Designed for ease of use by operations staff.
🧾 Summary Table
| Product | Key Capabilities |
|---|---|
| Studio 5000 Logix Designer (RSLogix) | PLC program development for Logix 5000 controllers |
| FactoryTalk Design Studio | Cloud‑based multi‑controller design with AI Copilot |
| Logix Emulate / Logix Echo | Controller emulation & software testing |
| Studio 5000 Architect | System‑level planning & project coordination |
| Simulation Interface | Connects controllers to virtual commissioning tools |
| Emulate3D / Arena Simulation | Digital twin and discrete event simulations for validation |
| Motion Analyzer | Motion control system sizing and analysis |
| FactoryTalk Analytics (LogixAI, VisionAI, Historian…) | AI‑powered analytics, quality inspection, predictive insights |
Final Thoughts
RSLogix (now Studio 5000 Logix Designer) and FactoryTalk Design Studio are foundational for automation design. Layered on top are powerful emulation (Logix Emulate, Echo), architecture/design (Architect), and simulation/analysis tools (Simulation Interface, Emulate3D, Arena, Motion Analyzer). Rockwell’s AI capabilities—through Design Studio Copilot, VisionAI inspection, LogixAI predictive tools and analytics accelerators—are now deeply integrated, enabling smarter, faster, more efficient automation across the lifecycle.