Upgrading the AILA Studio Server Plug-in

The AILA Studio Server plug was introduced in June 2026 to streamline and improve the setup, configuration, and deployment of the Layout Automation features for Studio.

Development of the Layout Automation features is in active and constant development and is undergoing major and frequent changes.

This article describes the steps to undertake to upgrade to newer versions of the AILA Studio Server plug-in.

For information about setting up the system, see Setting up and configuring the AI Layout Automation feature in Studio.

Upgrading to version 2.2.x or higher

Released: July 2026 Functional changes: AILA Studio Server Plug-in 2.2 Support dropped for uploading the configuration in the Excel file in Studio AILA Management Console 2.2 Added pages Genres, Regenerate shapes, Digital articles, Blueprints, Import / export

Blueprints

In previous versions, blueprints were configured in a spreadsheet named 'Layout Automation config'. This is now done on the Blueprints page in the AILA Management Console in Studio Server.

Step 1. Before upgrading, make sure that the Layout Automation config spreadsheet is uploaded to the Layout Automation service by using Studio as explained in step Uploading the workflow to the Layout Automation service.

Step 2. In Studio Server, install the new plug-in as explained in step 2 Installing the AILA Studio Server plug-in.

Step 3. Remove the Layout Automation config spreadsheet from Studio.

Step 4. Manage and configure blueprints as explained in Setting up blueprints for the AI Layout Automation feature in Studio.

Upgrading to version 1.1.3 or higher

Released: 26 June 2026 Functional changes: AILA InDesign Plugin 2.1 Support for left/right fenders. Article Shape Uploader now available via InDesign UI. Article Shape Uploader no longer available on CLI (Node based). AILA Management Console 1.1 Added pages Element Labels, Page Layout, and Placement Presets.

In previous versions, Element Labels, Page Layout, and Placement Presets were configured in a spreadsheet named 'Layout Automation config'. This is now done on pages with the same name in the AILA Management Console.

Step 1. Using Studio, make sure that the Layout Automation config spreadsheet is uploaded to the Layout Automation service as explained in step 12 Uploading the workflow to the Layout Automation service.

Important: To benefit from the automated settings migration feature, ensure to execute this step before you upgrade the server plug-in. Otherwise, the settings must be manually entered in the Management Console afterwards.

Step 2. In Studio Server, install the new plug-in as explained in step 2 Installing the AILA Studio Server plug-in.

These two steps will implicitly take care of the database table creation and import of the settings from the Layout Automation service.

For each Brand configured for the Layout Automation, an item is listed on the AI Layout Automation item of the Health Check test. It lists which settings have been imported.

Step 3. In Studio Server as a system administrator, access Integrations > AI Layout Automation and verify in the Management Console that the settings have been correctly imported on the Element Labels, Page Layout, and Placement Presets pages.

Step 4. In Studio, check out the Layout Automation config spreadsheet, remove the following tabs, and check it back in again:

• Page layout
• Elements
• Placement Presets

Step 5. Repeat step 4 for all Brands.

Step 6. Have all users who are currently using the Layout Automation in InDesign restart InDesign to make use of the new configuration.

Note: Restarting InDesign Server is not needed; changes to settings will take affect when succeeding jobs are picked up from the queue.

Revisions

• 6 August 2026: Added section 'Upgrading to version 2.2.x or higher'