Frequently Asked Questions

Is it really offline?

Yes. PLCDocGen is a single .exe file that runs on your machine. It does not require an internet connection, does not connect to any cloud service, and does not transmit any data about your project, your environment, or your usage. No telemetry, no analytics, no phone-home behavior. Your code stays on your machine.

Why does Windows SmartScreen warn me when I run it?

SmartScreen warns about unsigned or less-frequently-seen executables. PLCDocGen is distributed as an unsigned binary from a small publisher (not a major software corporation), which triggers the warning. This is how Windows works — it's a defense-in-depth measure, not a judgment on the safety of the software.

You can verify the file yourself using the hash-checking approach below. If the SHA-256 matches what you see on this site, you have the authentic unmodified build.

How do I verify the file is authentic?

Use PowerShell to verify the SHA-256 hash of the downloaded file:

Get-FileHash PLCDocGen.exe

Compare the output to the hashes below.

PLCDocGen.exe (v1.3)
ffbf67533aa638b9dc003a6c6af9ee3f622fd9d8f3ef9f260e79451f8af0414a
Release zip archive (v1.3)
c812f48e8f1e18434951ab0c83b2abf67b3d9797ad27ded7e166c94e333aa540

Can I scan it on VirusTotal?

Yes — please do. Here are the live VirusTotal results for the current build (69 engines, 6 flagged).

Full transparency: a handful of heuristic engines flag it as "suspicious." This is the well-known false-positive pattern for any unsigned Python/PyInstaller-packaged .exe — those engines are reacting to the packer, not the program. None of the flags name a specific malware family; they're generic "unknown unsigned binary" heuristics. Every major engine (Microsoft Defender, Kaspersky, BitDefender, ESET, Sophos, Malwarebytes, CrowdStrike, Avast, AVG, ClamAV, and others) reports it clean. Verify the SHA-256 above and you know you're scanning the exact file I shipped. And since the tool runs fully offline, you can also just run it on an air-gapped machine and watch it make zero network connections — the strongest verification there is.

What versions of Studio 5000 / RSLogix does it support?

PLCDocGen processes .L5X files and parses L5X schemas from RSLogix and Studio 5000 v19 through v38+ (tested on real-world projects up to v38+).

Supported export levels:

  • Controller-level exports (full projects)
  • Program-level exports
  • Routine-level exports
  • Add-On Instruction (AOI) exports — project and standalone

Supported routine types:

  • Ladder logic (RLL)
  • Structured text (ST)
  • Function block diagram (FBD)

All routine types are parsed and included in the cross-reference.

What's your refund policy?

14-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked. And if PLCDocGen fails to parse your project file, send me the error and you get either a fix or a full refund — whichever makes sense.

Do you issue invoices or POs?

Gumroad automatically generates a receipt for every purchase. If you need an invoice or formal purchase order documentation for accounting, email support@plcdocgen.com with your receipt number and I'll generate what you need.

What data does PLCDocGen collect about me or my projects?

None. The tool does not phone home, does not log usage, does not fingerprint your projects, does not track what L5X files you process, and does not send any telemetry to me or any third party. Everything stays on your machine.