Syracuse Architecture Technology

Developments in the school's computing environment include the following:

Spring, 2011

• New lab software: Autodesk STL Exporter for Revit
• Updated lab software: Cinema 4d R12, Google Earth Pro 6
• Plot Room: added a new HP LaserJet 9050 b/w laser printer named Bowser2. It replaces Banjo, which was retired after seven years and hundreds of thousands of prints.
  
• Added V-Ray for Rhino license server for student use.

Fall, 2010

• New lab software: Filezilla FTP client, VLC Player
• Updated lab software: 2011 suite of Autodesk products (AutoCAD Architecture, Revit, 3ds Max, Maya, Ecotect), Microsoft Office 2010, Google Earth Pro 5.2, Adobe CS5 (InDesign, Acrobat Pro, Illustrator, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Flash Pro), After Effects CS4, Processing 1.21, ArcGIS 10, Cinema 4d R11.5, Magics 14, FormZ 6.7 and Microsoft ICE 1.35.
• Computer Labs: 23 new computers have been added to the lab environment. 17 are replacements and six are new additions.This brings the total number of workstations to 56 (40 in the large lab and 16 in the small). New computers are Dell Precision T3500s (Xeon Quad Core 3.07ghz, 6 gb RAM, DVD burner, Firewire, 1GB ATI FirePro V5800 video).
  

Spring, 2010

• New lab software: Greeble 2010 plugin for 3ds Max
• Updated lab software: Sketchup Pro 7.1, Processing 1.09, Grasshopper 0.6.0059, Google Earth Pro 5.1
• Last semester's problem with Rhinocam and Rhino startup issues has been addressed. Now when you start Rhino, the Rhinocam plugin asks if you want to load it. Just click 'no' if you don't need it. Rhinocam is used to create toolpaths for the CNC mill (we also have the SRP Player for this purpose--find it under Start > All Programs > 3d and CNC Progams).
  

Summer, 2009

• Plot Room: New printer - Ostro3 is an HP DesignJet 4000ps plotter (our third)
  
• 014 Computer Lab: replaced 17 older computers with 17 new Dell Precision T3500s (Xeon Quad Core 2.93ghz, 6 gb RAM, DVD burner, Firewire, 768 mb Nvidia Quadro FX 1800 video card)
  
• 014 Computer Lab: installed 40 new CPU holders, enabled us to move the computers off the desks and hang them underneath; installed modular AC outlets throughout lab
• 004 Computer Lab: new Epson Expression 20000XL 11x17 flatbed scanner
• 004 Computer Lab: new Neolt 130B 51" paper trimmer
• Computer Lab: student personal space on the server increased from 1.25 gb to 1.5 gb.
  
• New lab software: new software packages include Gehry Technologies Digital Project, RhinoCam 2.0, VRay for Rhino, Grasshopper for Rhino
• Updated lab software: update software packages include 3ds Max Design 2010, Adobe Premier Pro CS4, Adobe Dreamweaver CS4, Adobe Flash Pro CS4, Adobe Creative Suite CS4 Design Standard (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat Pro), AutoCAD 2010, AutoCAD Architecture 2010, Ecotect 2010, Google Earth Pro 5.0, Magics 13, Maya 2009, Microstation v8i platform, Processing 1.06, , Quicktime Pro 7.6, Revit Architecture 2010, Revit MEP 2010, Revit Structure 2010, Sketchup Pro 7, Solidworks 2009
  

Spring, 2009

• Plot Room: New printer - Troopa2 is an HP Color LaserJet 5550 printer that replaces Koopa, the older Color LaserJet 5500.
• Plot Room: added gigabit jetdirect cards to Troopa and Troopa2 for faster printing over the network.
• Plot Room: increased memory in Luigi and Ostro2 printers
• New Lab Software - New lab software includes Ecotect with Solar and Weather tools, SAP2000 and Microsoft Composite Image Editor (for stitching photos).

Fall, 2008

• 014 Computer Lab: new lab printer - Ostro2 is an HP DesignJet 4000ps color plotter.
• 014 Computer Lab: New or updated lab software includes Audacity, Google Earth Pro, Microsoft Office 2007, Solidworks 2008, Adobe Creative Suite v3 Design Standard, Maya 2008, Autocad Architecture 2009, 3ds Max 2009, Revit Architecture 2009, Revit Structure 2009, Revit MEP 2009, ArcGIS 9.3, FormZ 6.6, Processing, Sketchup Pro 6, Cinema 4d R11, SAP2000, new Maya and Max plugins for Realflow.
• 014 Computer Lab: student personal space on the server increased from 1 GB to 1.25 GB.

Spring, 2008

• 5th Floor Lab: new lab printer - Bowser is an HP LaserJet 9040 b/w laser printer, similar to Banjo but much faster. It prints letter and tabloid size paper. There is no manual feeding or using your own paper in Bowser.
• 5th Floor Lab: New or updated lab software includes Magics 12.0, Bentley MX platform, including Microstation v8 MX, Triforma, Architecture, Structure (RAM, STAAD), Map, Generative Components, & Parametric Cell Studio; SRP Player for preparing STL files for use on the CNC Mill; new Rhino plugins including Advanced Flattening, Archcut Tools, Developable Surface Creation, Electric Field Solver, Pointset Reconstruction, and Rhino Labs Tools. Click here to learn how to use the new Rhino plugins.
• 5th Floor Lab: student personal space on the server increased from 500 MB to 1 GB.
  
• Other: the Roland MDX-540 Modeling Machine (CNC mill) is now available for student use. Please use the drop box folder on the Courses drive to submit your files.

Summer, 2007

• 5th Floor Lab: replaced 11 older computers with 11 new Dell Optiplex 745s (Core 2 Duo 2.66ghz, 4 gb RAM, DVD burner, Firewire, 256mb ATI X1950 Pro video card); added 3 new Dell 745 computers
• 5th Floor Lab: new or updated software packages include Magics 11.1, Quicktime Pro 7.2, Rhino 4.0, FormZ 6.5, AutoCAD 2008, AutoCAD Architecture 2008 (formerly Architectural Desktop), Revit Architecture 2008 (formerly Revit Building), VIZ 2008, Maya 8.5 and Solidworks 2007.
• 5th Floor Lab: A new Dell PowerEdge 2950 web server was purchased to replace the oldest lab server. It arrived too late for the fall and the plan is to integrate it during the winter break.
  
• Other: a Roland MDX-540 Modeling Machine with Precision Spindle was acquired. This computer controlled milling machine has a 16"x20" bed.
• Upgraded paper - the two color laser printers in the plot room (Koopa and Troopa) now have HP Premium Choice LaserJet paper, a 32 lb. bright white presentation quality paper.

Spring, 2007

• 5th Floor Lab: new software packages include Adobe After Effects Pro 7, Alias Maya 8, Autodesk 3ds Max 9, and Sketchup Pro 5. Updated software includes FormZ 6.0 and Real Flow 4.2
• Other: a 3D-Systems Invision SR 3D printer was acquired.
• Other: another server was brought online to serve as the School's digital archive.

Summer, 2006

• 5th Floor Lab: replaced 15 older computers with new Dell Optiplex GX620s (Pentium D dual core 3.2ghz, 2 gb RAM, DVD burner, Firewire, 256mb ATI X850 video card)
• Plot Room: new HP DesignJet 4000ps plotter (Ostro), HP Color LaserJet 5550 color laser printer (Troopa), HP Business Inkjet 2800 color inkjet printer (Pidgit); added memory to most printers and plotters; new faster network print servers for the two HP DesignJet 1055cm plotters (Mario and Luigi); retired Epson Color Stylus 3000 (Pipsi)
• 5th Floor Lab: new software packages include Solidworks 2006, Cosmos, Real Flow 4, and ArcGIS 9.1. Updated software includes Adobe Premiere Pro 2.0, Adobe Creative Suite Premium 2.0, AutoCAD 2007, Architectural Desktop 2007, VIZ 2007, and FormZ 5.5.
• A new Dell PowerEdge 2950 web server was purchased and brought on line in preparation for the roll out of the new school web site.
• Both existing lab servers were upgraded to Microsoft Server 2003 R2.
• This semester we plan to add Maya 8.0, 3dsMax 8.0, Adobe After Effects Pro and Sketchup 5. We also hope to get a render farm up and running (based on Smedge).

Spring, 2006

• 5th floor Lab: new software: Sketchup Viewer
• 5th floor Lab: new Epson Expression 10000XL 11x17 flatbed scanner
• Other: a second Universal Laser X-660 laser cutter was purchased
• Other: SU's wireless network (AirOrange) is available throughout the Warehouse
• Other: AutoDesk products such as Architectural Desktop, AutoCAD, VIZ, Revit and 3DS Max are available through the School of Architecture's e-academy web site at much cheaper prices than previously available through the SU Bookstore. One example: the Architectural Desktop / VIZ / Revit bundle is $99 for a one-year license or $199 for a perpetual license.

Summer, 2005

• 310 Lab: replaced 7 older computers with new Dell Optiplex GX620s (Pentium IV 3.2ghz, 1.5 gb RAM, DVD burner, Firewire, 256mb ATI X700 video card)
• 310 Lab: new file server; new scratch drive (Drive X) for temporary file storage
• 310 Lab: updated software: Adobe Premiere Pro 1.5, AutoCAD 2005, Architectural Desktop 2005, VIZ 2005, FormZ 5.0, Vray Plug-in for VIZ , Microsoft Office 2003
• 107/109 Labs: updated or new software: Adobe Premiere 6.0, AutoCAD 2005, Architectural Desktop 2005, VIZ 2005, FormZ 5.0, Vray Plug-in for VIZ , Microsoft Office 2003

Spring, 2005

• 310 Lab: new software: Macromedia Studio MX 2004, Bentley Microstation/Architecture/Triforma, CDex (wav/mp3 ripping)

Fall, 2004

• wireless access coverage increased to all 3rd and 4th floor studios

Summer, 2004

• 310 Lab: replaced 12 older computers with new Dell Optiplex GX280s (Pentium IV 3.2ghz, 1 gb RAM)
• 310 Lab: added 512 mb RAM to existing 11 computers
• 310 Lab: replaced three flatbed scan stations with faster computers
• 310 Lab: replaced old flatbed scanner with new usb scanner
• 310 Lab: added two dedicated print stations
• 310 Lab: added new HP Color LaserJet 5500
• 310 Lab: added new Xerox 510dp digital copier and scanner
• 310 Lab: new software: Adobe Creative Suite 1.1 (Acrobat Pro, Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, GoLive) , AutoCAD 2004, Architectural Desktop 2004, RevIT 6.1, ArcExplorer 2.0, FormZ 4.2
• 107/109 Labs: increased RAM on all 20 computers to 1 gb
• 107/109 Labs: new software: Adobe Creative Suite 1.1, AutoCAD 2004, Architectural Desktop 2004, RevIT 6.1, ArcExplorer 2.0, FormZ 4.2, Rhino 3.0

Spring, 2004

• 310 Lab: replaced Adobe Illustrator 9.0 with 10.0
• 107/109 Labs: replaced 20 older computers with new Dell Optiplex GX270s (Pentium IV 2.6ghz, 512mb RAM)
• 107/109 Labs: replaced two old laser printers with HP LaserJet 2300s
• 107/109 Labs: replaced Microsoft Office 97 with Office 2000
• 107/109 Labs: replaced FormZ 3.9.5 with version 4.0
• 107/109 Labs: new software versions include RISA 5.0, Adobe Photoshop 7.0, Autocad 2002, VIZ 4.0

Summer, 2003

• 310 Lab: installed a new HP LaserJet 5100 laser printer (prints 11x17")
• 310 Lab: replaced five older computers with new Dell Optiplex GX270s (Pentium IV 2.8ghz, 512mb RAM)
• 310 Lab: replaced three scan stations with faster computers
• 310 Lab: replaced two flatbed scanners with new usb scanners
• 310 Lab: replaced Autocad 2000i with Autocad 2002
• 310 Lab: replaced FormZ 3.9.5 with version 4.0
• 310 Lab: added Adobe Illustrator 9.0
• 310 Lab: all computers running Windows XP

Spring, 2003

• 310 Lab: installed a new HP DesignJet 5500ps plotter
• 310 Lab: upgraded all computers to Windows XP (except the three scanning stations)
• 310 Lab: replaced 3D Studio VIZ 3i with VIZ 4

Summer, 2002

• All Labs: upgraded FormZ to version 3.9.5
• 310 Lab: upgraded Adobe Pagemaker to version 7
• 310 Lab: upgraded Adobe Photoshop to version 7
• 310 Lab: upgraded Autocad to version 2000i
• 310 Lab: upgraded Autocad Architectural Desktop to version 2i
• 310 Lab: replaced seven older computers with new Dell Optiplex GX260s (Pentium IV 2.26ghz, 256mb RAM)
• Studios: wireless access points were installed, providing wireless access to the network for the 3rd floor thesis studios and both graduate and visiting critic studios.

May, 2001

• Computer based maps of the Syracuse University campus are now available on line.

December, 2000

• 10 new computers have been ordered to replace the IBM PCs in Slocum 310. Each machine will be equipped with an Intel Pentium III processor running at 800mHz. Each will also have a Zip drive and CD-RW (CD-ROM read and write) drive installed.


• The network for the building is being upgraded over the mid-semester break. Capacity will increase from 10mb/second for the entire network to 10mb/second for each machine connected to the network. Given the existing setup of machines, modest improvements to performance should be seen in the machines in Rooms 107 and 109 but significant improvement should be seen in the systems in Room 310.


• The second Hewlett Packard HP1055CM has been operating quite successfully this past semester. A problem with the supply of black ink has curtailed operations somewhat in the last weeks of the semester. We are working to resolve the situation but it is a supply problem.


• New Epson printer/plotters have been installed in Rooms 107, 109 and 310. Each is capable of plotting at resolutions up to 1440dpi and on paper up to B size (17"x22").


• The school has been given a palette of scanners (44 to be exact) which will be installed as soon as they arrive.

January, 2000

• New computers have been installed in Slocum 310 bringing the total number to 23.


• The Hewlett Packard HP1055CM has been operating quite successfully this past semester. We are contemplating removing the HP600 b&w plotter and the HP750 color plotter and replacing them with a second HP1055.


• A new scanner will be added to the systems in Room 310.


• formZ Renderzone Release 3.1 will be installed on all 23 machines in Room 310 and on all 20 machines in Rooms 107 and 109, making 43 systems with formZ running on them.