Syracuse Architecture Technology

Computing News - Fall 2011

Fix broken AutoCAD 2012
If AutoCAD is not working correctly on the lab computers (flickering interface, menus and toolbars have disappeared, errors about not finding certain files), there is a repair tool. Close AutoCAD, then click Start button > All Programs > Fix AutoCAD 2012. This will reset the program and should solve the problem

ArcGIS datasets available
ArcGIS datasets are now available in the computer lab. They are located under the Resources\R drive in the folder \Drawing & Map Archive\ArcGIS map data\. Included are maps of North America, Europe and a base world map.

New or updated lab software
New lab software includes Autodesk Map 3D 2012. Updated software includes Autodesk 2012 products (AutoCAD, AutoCAD Architecture, 3ds Max Design, Maya and RevIT), Adobe CS 5.5 products (After Effects Pro, Dreamweaver, Flash Pro, Premier Pro, Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat Pro X), Magics 15, SAP2000 v15 and SolidWorks 2011.

New lab computers
We replaced 16 older computers with new Dell Precision T3500 workstations each with 8 GB memory, 1 TB hard drive and ATI FirePro V5800 1 GB video card. We also added two additional computers to the small computer lab, bringing the total in that lab to 18.

New printers
A new HP DesignJet T7100ps plotter (Samus) replaced Princess, which moved to the Warehouse studio. A new HP DesignJet T1200ps plotter (Yoshi) replaced Luigi. Two new HP Color LaserJet CP6015 printers (Koopa and Koopa2) replaced the existing Troopa and Troopa2. Troopa was repurposed for faculty use and Troopa2 is now at the Warehouse studio.

Windows 7
The lab environment was migrated from Windows XP to Windows 7 x64. The lab servers were all rebuilt in SU's virtual hosted environment and now live in the green data center.

3D Printer - Visit the 3D printer page to learn how to submit your file for printing, plus the costs involved.

Roland CNC Milling Machine - The CNC mill is available for student use. Please use the drop box folder on the Courses drive to submit your files. Learn more by clicking here.

Find past news in the Computing News section.

Tips

• Don't work directly on files that are stored on a network drive (such as your H drive or the Courses/M drive). Copy them to the lab computer first, and when finished, put them back on the network drive. Lab computers have a scratch folder on the D drive that you can use for temporarily saving files. This will reduce crashes and file corruption.
  


• Make sure to keep backup copies of your files on TWO DIFFERENT drives/discs/flash keys. Your media could go bad at any time, causing your files to be lost. Peridodically save your project under a new file name, so that you can go back to an older version if your file becomes corrupted.

Find more tips under the Help & Problem Solving section.

Questions

• How do I connect my laptop to the lab printers and shared Course drive?
  


• How do I get a computer account for the labs?
  


• How does the pay-per-plot printing system work?