• Architecture students, like all students, have need of computing. Indeed, anyone involved in academia is involved in computing.
• Students prepare documents using word processing, manipulate numbers using spreadsheets, communicate using electronic mail, search for books using the library's online information system and do research using the world wide web (www).
• Architecture students also deal with images using scanners, make images using image generation software (paint and drawing programs such as CorelDraw or Freehand), manipulate images using software (like PhotoShop), produce 2D and 3D CAD models using CAD software (such as AutoCAD, FormZ or 3D StudioVIZ), render the models using rendering software (FormZ or 3D Studio VIZ) and produce animations with animation software (such as Premier)
• Approximately one half of this years incoming freshman arrived with some form of computer. It is a good guess that many more return from Christmas break with one.

A wide variety of software is available, including popular software programs for word processing, spreadsheets, database programs, email and network computing. They also provide high quality printed output.

But..

These facilities often are swamped, producing long waiting times, particularly at midterms and ends of semester

But.....while there are some architectural firms that are Mac based, the vast majority are PC based.   Also, the university no longer maintains public clusters with Macintosh computers nor does it support them, meaning if you have a hardware or software problem the university help desk will not be able to provide you with assistance. Needless to say this is controversial and may change.

They are.

• still the best buy
• provide more computing capability and more flexibility for upgrade
• for less money.

But ..

• they are big, heavy and difficult to move.

Notebook or laptop computers combine the various parts into one very compact package, literally the size of a notebook.

They are..

• lightweight
• portable. They can be taken into the library, the classroom and the design studio.

But ..

• they are more expensive (by $500 to $1500 more) for the same computing capability,
• they are less flexible in terms of upgrading,
• they have lesser quality display screens (except for the most expensive models).
• and, precisely because of their size and value, they are also more susceptible to theft,
• the pointing device is usually some form of trackball or thumbscreen which is not suitable for most graphic work, which means you still need to attach a mouse.
• their limited hard drive capacity puts them at a disadvantage when storing large graphic or CAD files.

You will have to choose which best suits your needs, taste and budget. In the business school you will see only laptops but in the architecture school you will see both, rather evenly divided.

But ... the selection is limited and the discounts on hardware roughly equal those at major discount stores in New York. They often assume the user has his/her own software so they are less likely to "throw in" the array of software packages that most consumer retail stores provide.

All university clusters are equipped with high-speed high quality inkjet or laser printers

ARC256 Introduction to Computer Applications in Architecture, includes introduction to word processing, spreadsheets, databases, 2D CAD and 3D CAD. This course is taken by over 90% of the students.

ARC500 Computer Graphics, including modeling, rendering and animation.

ARC550 Advanced Computer Applications in Architecture involving more advanced software and concepts

There are other courses offered within the school from time to time that involve computing. These depend on the interests and availablity of the faculty.

Outside the school:

A number of introductory computer courses are readily available to students. These are basic courses on computer programming and programming languages.

More?

Numerous more specialized computer courses are (theoretically) available to architecture students. In fact, many are narrowly focused (like our own) and often full (like our own) so the chances of actually getting in are not great.

• two PC level classrooms with ten PCs each together with a printer and plotter,
• one CAD Cluster with 23  PCs, including three scanning stations.
• an output room with three medium sized printer/plotters and two large format high-speed plotters.
• a lecture hall equipped with large screen projection, network access, VCR, etc.
• a CAD studio equipped with network wiring and secure storage lockers for computers which are supplied by the student.

The university produces numerous publications intended to provide information and assistance.

The university maintains a site on the World Wide Web with considerable information and assistance.

The school employs two students who serve as assistants in computing. These students already possess considerable knowledge and experience and are employed to assist the school's computer consultant. If you think you qualify, contact Prof. Bruce Coleman

• the infrastructure, meaning the network to the design studio,
• the central computer servers with basic software including CAD,
• modest storage capacity for individual student accounts,
• large storage capacity for large computer data sets, such as the computer based maps of the city, the campus and CAD files of distinctive buildings,
• output devices such as printers and plotters
• modest levels of support
• computer facilities for instruction

while the student would provide:

• the actual computer
• with a network card to connect to the school or university network.

Contacts
For additional information, see the school's web page on computing.