GSG:CCSv6 Running for the first time

Running Code Composer Studio for the first time

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Defining the workspace directory

The first thing CCSv6 asks is to define a workspace - a directory that holds all elements (projects, links to projects, possibly source code) used in the development.

• Every time CCSv6 is executed it will ask for the workspace directory. If you plan to use just a single directory for all your projects, just check the option Use this as the default and do not ask again. The workspace can always be changed later from inside CCSv6.

Fig. 1: selecting the workspace location

Choosing the license

When opening CCSv6 for the first time it automatically uses the Free Limited License with no need to configure anything. It shows this in the bottom status bar.

Fig. 2: CCSv6 status bar with the Free License

1. Update as of Dec 2016 CCSv6 full license can be downloaded from the link below. There are no restrictions in regards to time, code size, debug probe or target used.

CCS Full License

2. From inside CCS go to menu Help --> Code Composer Studio Licensing Information --> tab Upgrade --> Launch License Setup.

3. Select ACTIVATE and then click Next.

Fig. 3: Selecting the Activate License

4. Click on Browse under Specify a License File. Point to the place where you saved the license file received above. Click Finish.

Fig. 4: License setup wizard

All of the below (collapsed) information is now legacy information.

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Old licensing information (Obsolete)

The default license

CCSv6 requires an active license. However, when opening CCSv6 for the first time it automatically uses the Free Limited License with no need to configure anything. It shows this in the bottom status bar.

Fig. 2: CCSv6 status bar with the Free License

You will want to keep the Free Limited License if you plan to use it with:

• Any MSP430/MSP432 device using the TI compiler are limited to 16kB/32kB of executable code (.out); (GCC compiler has no limitation)
• Any development board that has a built-in JTAG emulator;
• A XDS100-class standalone emulator and any target device, either in a development board or in a custom hardware;
• A device simulator;
• A target device that runs embedded Linux and you need CCSv6 to debug Linux applications.

If that is the license you plan to use, then you can skip all steps below.

Choosing the license

CCSv6.2.0 on Linux and MacOS information. These releases use a different licensing implementation. Please check this FAQ entry .

If you have purchased a CCSv6 license or want to use the 90-day evaluation license, simply go to the License Manager in CCSv6: go to menu Help --> Code Composer Studio Licensing Information --> tab Upgrade

Fig. 3: License manager

Then click on the button Launch License Setup... to start the process.

90-day EVALUATION (Windows)

The 90-day evaluation license enables the use of all the features of CCS for a limited period of time.
To use it in Windows (Linux is different), simply select Evaluate and click Finish.

Fig. 4: Selecting the 90-day evaluation license

CCSv6 will show this in the bottom status bar.

Fig. 5: CCSv6 status bar with the 90-day Evaluation License

90-day EVALUATION (Linux) or 90-day EXTENSION (Windows)

The 90-day EVALUATION (Linux) or 90-day EXTENSION (Windows) is a three-month period that enables the use of all the features of CCS.

• In Linux, this option is the only evaluation license available.
• In Windows, this option is available when the 90-day period has expired.
• Requires an active my.ti.com account (one can be created instantly).
• Requires an active Internet connection.
• CCSv6 is fully featured during the evaluation period.

1. Go to menu Help --> Code Composer Studio Licensing Information --> tab Upgrade.

Fig. 6: License manager

2. Click on the button Launch License Setup... to start the process.

3. Select EVALUATE or EXTEND and then click Finish.

Fig. 7: Selecting the 90-day evaluation license

4. A message will appear with a summary of the process. Click Ok.

Fig. 8: License generation message box

5. A browser window will open with the my.ti.com log in page. After that, the myRegistered Software page will open with the automatically generated ID code, details about the product to be activated and the license chosen. Click Next.

Fig. 9: Activation ID and details

6. This page shows the terms and conditions to use the evaluation license. You must agree to the terms before activating the product.

Fig. 10: Review Terms and Conditions

7. In this page enter the information about the PC where CCS is being installed: the HostID (the MAC address of your PC) and a name for it. Click Next.

Fig. 11: Activation ID and details

8. The next screen asks for the e-mail address where the license file will be sent. Check the address and click E-mail License.

Fig. 12: e-mail selection

9. A confirmation screen should appear. Look in your inbox for two e-mails: myTI_license and myregistered_software in the subject.

• The myTI_License e-mail contains the license file. Save this file and write down its location.

10. Go back to the CCS screen and go to menu Help --> Code Composer Studio Licensing Information --> tab Upgrade --> Launch License Setup.

11. Select ACTIVATE and then click Next.

Fig. 13: Selecting the Activate License

12. Click on Browse under Specify a License File. Point to the place where you saved the license file received above. Click Finish.

Fig. 14: License setup wizard

13. Restart CCS. The bottom bar should say Evaluation License.

Fig. 15: CCSv6 status bar with the 90-day Evaluation License

Note: In some cases the evaluation option will not be available if:

• The evaluation period has expired for the current install.
• There was once a previous installation of CCS that was activated with the evaluation period, and it has expired. Note that the evaluation period is still active even if CCS is uninstalled.

ACTIVATE

The ACTIVATE option is also used for a paid license.

• Requires an active my.ti.com account (one can be created instantly).
• Requires an active Internet connection.
• If a license file was already provided, follow steps 10 through 13 of the EVALUATION or EXTENSION process.
• If an Activation ID code was provided with your software, then follow the steps below to register and properly generate the license file.

1. Open a web browser and go to http://www.ti.com/activatesoftware

2. After inserting the my.ti.com credentials, the myRegistered Software page will be shown.

Fig. 16: myRegistered Software Activation ID page

3. Locate the Activation ID provided with your software and type it in the Activation ID field.

4.Follow steps 5 through 13 as in the EVALUATION or EXTENSION process. The only difference is that, at step 13, CCS will show Full License at the bottom of its screen.

Fig. 17: CCSv6 status bar with Full License

Note: If you still have days remaining from the evaluation period, CCSv6 will still show Evaluate License until the 90-day period is over. It will switch automatically to Full License then.

Floating License

The Floating License allows sharing a pool of licenses among several PCs in a networked environment. It requires a network connection, but not necessarily Internet (good for laboratories disconnected from the external world).
The process of activation is similar to steps 10 through 13 of the EVALUATION or EXTENSION procedure. The only difference is in step 12:

• Select the Specify a license server option and enter the Address and Port Number information for the floating license installed on a server.

Note: In order to perform the setup on the license server host PC please check the topic License Server Administration for more details.

The welcome screen

After the license process is finished, CCS will show the Welcome Screen and is ready to use.

Fig. 18: Welcome to Code Composer Studio v6!

What's next?

Now that you have finished the license activation of Code Composer Studio v6, please continue on to the Working with CCS section of the CCSv6 Getting Started Guide.

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