# Factory I/O v2.4.4 preview 2 available

**URL:** <https://community.factoryio.com/t/factory-i-o-v2-4-4-preview-2-available/482>\
**Category:** Announcements\
**Created:** [October 7, 2020, 5:05pm UTC](https://community.factoryio.com/t/factory-i-o-v2-4-4-preview-2-available/482 "2020-10-07T17:05:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![beatriz.santos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/76d3ee/32.png) [@beatriz.santos](https://community.factoryio.com/u/beatriz.santos)\
**Post date:** [October 7, 2020, 5:05pm UTC](https://community.factoryio.com/t/factory-i-o-v2-4-4-preview-2-available/482/1 "2020-10-07T17:05:45Z")

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[Edit] Released: [Factory I/O v2.4.4](https://community.factoryio.com/t/factory-i-o-v2-4-4-released/531)

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A second preview for the v2.4.4 version of Factory I/O is now available for download:

- Installer (link removed)
- Portable (link removed)

The main new features of this preview are:

- Improvements to the **OPC DA driver** , restoring the ability to connect to **RSLinx Classic**.

- A new option for the **S7PLCSIM driver** , allowing connection with **S7PLCSIM Advanced V3.0**. It can be enabled by selecting `S7-1500 (S7-PLCSIM Advanced)` from the Model dropdown.

- New tutorial and sample available for S7-PLCSIM Advanced v3.0.

Feedback on these features is welcomed.

**Full release notes:**

- **Core:** Fixed errors when opening v1.x scenes.
- **Core:** Fixed crash when a dragged item is deleted by a remover.
- **Core:** Added `scene.start_tag_export(filename, interval)` and `scene.stop_tag_export()` console commands to allow exporting tag values at repeated intervals.
- **Core:** Added `physics.solver_iterations` console command to allow changing the number of iterations of the physics constraint solver for contact and joint constraints.
- **Core:** Moved `scene.quit()` and `scene.force_quit()` console commands to `app.quit()` and `app.force_quit()`.
- **Drivers:** Fixed crash by repeatedly showing an error message in Allen-Bradley drivers.
- **Drivers:** Redesigned OPC DA driver which is now faster and more robust - it now works correctly with RSLinx Classic.
- **Drivers:** Improved performance when browsing nodes on OPC UA servers.
- **Drivers:** Fixed read errors not being correctly displayed on OPC UA driver.
- **Drivers:** OPC items/nodes now show correctly data types following the IEC61131 standard.
- **Drivers:** Added driver for S7-PLCSIM Advanced v3.0.
- **Drivers:** Improved performance of the Open and Control IO drivers.
- **Drivers:** Lowered the _.NET Framework_ version requirement for external drivers to 4.6.2.
- **Licensing:** Floating licenses are now more resilient during system shutdown/crashes.
- **UI:** Fixed scene preview grid order after saving a scene.
- **UI:** Fixed scene preview grid not updating if hidden when window is resized.
- **Installer:** Advantech USD-4704 & USB-4750 device drivers must now be downloaded and installed manually. [Advantech USB-4750](https://www.advantech.com/search/?q=USB-4750&st=support&sst=Driver); [Advantech USB-4704](https://www.advantech.com/search/?q=USB-4704&st=support&sst=Driver).

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**Author:** ![shawntierney](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex017/user_avatar/community.factoryio.com/shawntierney/32/156_2.png) [@shawntierney](https://community.factoryio.com/u/shawntierney)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2020, 1:21pm UTC](https://community.factoryio.com/t/factory-i-o-v2-4-4-preview-2-available/482/2 "2020-10-13T13:21:37Z")

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Great list of improvements!

Any chance you could add three simple objects?

- A larger bin (like at least 4x the size of the gray bin)
- Smaller parts (for source arrow to spit out, 1/4 the size of the lids would be great)
- A generic machine we can put the source arrow inside?

These small changes would really help me integrate FactoryIO into my existing 8 courses at [TheAutomationSchool.com](http://TheAutomationSchool.com).

Thanks as always,

Shawn

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**Author:** ![goncalo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3be4f8/32.png) [@goncalo](https://community.factoryio.com/u/goncalo)\
**Post date:** [January 26, 2021, 12:52pm UTC](https://community.factoryio.com/t/factory-i-o-v2-4-4-preview-2-available/482/3 "2021-01-26T12:52:14Z")

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