Which Tool Is Right for You?

Syside covers the full SysML v2 workflow, from writing and visualizing models in VS Code to automating analysis with Python and running validation in CI/CD pipelines. Each tool handles a different part of that workflow.

Tool Overview

Here’s what each tool does and how they relate to each other:

Syside Editor

Free VS Code extension for textual modeling. If you have Modeler, you already have everything Editor offers.

Syside Modeler

VS Code extension for textual modeling with automatic diagram generation (powered by Tom Sawyer Software). Includes all Editor features and also ships with a command-line interface (CLI) for CI/CD pipelines and batch processing.

Syside Automator

Standalone Python library for programmatic model access, analysis, and automation.

Feature Comparison

Feature	Editor	Modeler		Automator
Interface	VS Code	VS Code	CLI	Python API
Textual Modeling
SysML v2 Syntax Highlighting	✓	✓		✓ 2
Auto Code Completion	✓	✓
Jump to Definitions	✓	✓
Go to References	✓	✓
Rename	✓	✓
Auto-formatting	✓ 1	✓ 1	✓ 2	✓ 2
Code Folding	✓	✓
Hover Information	✓	✓
Document Outline	✓	✓
Validation
Syntax and Semantic Validation	✓ 1	✓ 1	✓ 2	✓ 2
Custom Validation Rules				✓
Visualization (Beta)
Model Element Diagram Generation		✓	✓
Model View Diagram Generation		Coming soon	Coming soon
Interactive Diagram Exploration		✓
Auto-layout Diagrams		✓	✓ 3
Diagram Export (PNG/SVG/PDF)		✓	✓
Custom Diagram Formatting		Coming soon	Coming soon
Advanced Features
Programmatic Model Editing				✓
CI/CD Integration			✓	✓

✓ Supported in the tool’s default interface:

- VS Code or similar for Editor and Modeler

- Terminal for Modeler CLI

- Python for Automator

¹ Real-time, updates as you edit

² On-demand

³ Generated layout only, no interactive repositioning

Use Cases

Not sure where to start? Find your scenario below:

I want to…	Use	Why
Write and visualize SysML v2 models	Modeler	Automatic diagram generation Auto-layout and interactive exploration Export to PNG, SVG, or PDF
Automate model analysis with Python	Automator	Read, query, and transform models programmatically Generate reports and extract data Build custom tooling and integrations
Validate models and generate diagrams in CI/CD	Modeler CLI	Run validation and visualization from the terminal No VS Code or GUI required Designed for containers and pipelines
Learn SysML v2 or do lightweight editing	Editor	Free, zero setup Syntax highlighting and code completion Full language validation and navigation
Visual reviews + automated reports	Modeler + Automator	Interactive diagrams for review Python scripts for analysis and reporting
Diagrams + data processing in pipelines	Automator + Modeler CLI	Headless diagram generation Programmatic model transformations in the same pipeline

Get Started

Ready to dive in? Install the tool that fits your workflow:

• Install Syside Editor (free)

• Install Syside Modeler

• Install Syside Automator

New to SysML v2?

• Start with the free Advent of SysML v2 course.