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

FALL 2019

  • New lab software: Davinci Resolve 16, Sketchup Pro 2019, Solidworks 2019, 2020 versions of various Autodesk programs, Unity, Unreal Engine, Lumion 9.5, ArcGIS Desktop 10.7, ArcGIS Pro 2.4, Keyshot 8, QGIS 3.8, Robot Studio 2019, Quixel Megascans, i-Tree 2019
  • New hardware: two table mount Epson Brightlink 696ui projectors (grad studios); 55” 4K mobile display (general use); 55” 4K mobile display (grad studios); replaced old 65” mobile display with Sony 65” 4K model; replaced piggyback computer on 46” mobile touchscreen; two iPads; Beam telepresence robot (grad dept.).
  • New lab hardware: added six 24” Dell touchscreens to large lab.
  • Plot room: new HP DesignJet T1700 (Yoshi2) replaced the old Yoshi.
fall 2018
  • New lab software: Rhino 6.
  • Computer labs: we replaced 20 older computers with new Dell Precision 3630 workstations each with Xeon E-2146G 3.5 GHz six-core processor, 16 GB memory, 500 GB Samsung EVO 970 NVMe solid state drive and Nvidia Quadro P2000 5 GB video card.
  • New hardware: two table mount Epson Brightlink 696ui projectors (grad studios); 55” 4K mobile display (general use); 55” 4K mobile display (grad studios); replaced old 65” mobile display with Sony 65” 4K model; replaced piggyback computer on 46” mobile touchscreen; two iPads; Beam telepresence robot (grad dept.).
  • New lab hardware: added six 24” Dell touchscreens to large lab.
  • Plot room: new HP DesignJet T1700 (Yoshi2) replaced the old Yoshi.
Fall 2017 / spring 2018
  • New lab software: Autodesk Structural Bridge Design, Cura, Climate Consultant, Coolvent, Handbrake, iTree 2017, Open Broadcaster Studio, Openshot Video Editor, Preform, QGIS, UMI for Rhino, Unity development platform.
  • New render farms: KeyShot (128-1024 nodes), Mental Ray for Maya (64 nodes), V-Ray for Rhino (32 nodes).
  • Computer labs: we replaced 20 older computers with new Dell Precision 3620 workstations each with Xeon E3-1270 v6 3.8GHz quad core processor, 16 GB memory, 500 GB Samsung EVO 960 NVMe solid state drive and ATI FirePro W5100 4 GB video card.
  • New hardware: three mobile 55” displays (grad studios); new Immersive Display Pro blending software for use with Einhorn studio 3-projector wall; Artec Eva Lite 3D portable laser scanner (grad studios); four new Fovitec LED light panels, Sennheiser wireless lavalier system for sign out; HTC Vive VR system (grad studios).
  • New cameras: Canon EOS Rebel T6i with 18-55mm and 55-250mm lenses; 6 GoPro Hero5 Session cameras.
  • New projector: Dell 1850 1920x1080 for portable use.
  • Plot room: new Neolt 65” rotary trimmer (old 50” trimmer moved to Fisher Center).
  • King + King Architecture Library: added two 75” Sony displays; Solstice screen sharing software
SPRING 2017
  • Updated lab software: Blender, DIVA, Rhino Paneling Tools plugin, KeyShot, OcenAudio, Libre Office, Autdesk Fusion 360, 3ds Max, Maya
  • New lab software: Mental Ray for Maya, KeyShot Network Render, LosslessCut (for trimming video files without reencoding), Lumion DWG Bridge and Revit Bridge, Arnold renderer with plugins for 3ds Max, Cinema 4D and Maya, MasterSpec for Microsoft Word, Terragen, Quicktime Essentials.
  • New render farms: KeyShot (128-1024 nodes), Mental Ray for Maya (64 nodes), V-Ray for Rhino (32 nodes).
fall, 2016
  • Plot Room: added new HP DesignJet T7200ps plotter (Pichu2); retired Ostro3
  • New and updated lab software: Google NIK Collection for Photoshop, DIVA for Rhino, V-Ray 2.0 for Rhino, SolidWorks 2016, SketchUp Pro 2016, 3ds Max 2017, AutoCAD Architecture 2017, AutoCAD Map 3D 2017, Dynamo Studio 2017, Maya 2017, Mudbox 2017, Raster Design 2017, Recap Pro 360 2017, Revit 2017, Netfaab 2017, Revit STL Exporter 2017, Lumion 6.5, Cyclone 9.1, KeyShot 6.2, Adobe Creative Cloud 2015
  • Computer labs: we replaced 20 older computers with new Dell Precision 3620 workstations each with Xeon E3-1270 v5 3.6GHz quad core processor, 16 GB memory, 500 GB solid state drive and ATI FirePro W5100 4 GB video card.
fall, 2015
  • Computer labs: we replaced 20 older computers with new Dell Precision T1700 workstations each with Xeon E3-1271 v3 3.6GHz quad core processor, 16 GB memory, 500 GB solid state drive and ATI FirePro W5100 4 GB video card.
  • Plot Room: added HP DesignJet T7200ps (Pichu); retired Ostro2
  • New pay-per-print system: we retired Pcounter and began using PaperCut. Students can now use credit and debit cards to add funds to their accounts through a web interface. Cash is no longer accepted (the cash machine was retired).
Spring, 2015
  • Updated lab software: Lumion 4.5
  • New lab software: T-Splines 3.4 for Rhino, Karamba for Rhino, additional Maxwell Render plugins for SketchUp, Photoshop and After Effects.
  • New printer/scanner: Oce Plotwave 360 (Luma). This wide format scanner/laser printer/copier replaces the old Xerox 510dp (Zelda). It prints on 36” paper.
Fall, 2014
  • Updated lab software: Adobe Creative Cloud 2014, ArcGIS 10.2, Autodesk 2015 products (AutoCAD, AutoCAD Architecture, Map 3D, 3ds Max Design, Maya, Revit), Magics 18, SolidWorks 2014,
  • New lab software: Ocenaudio, Rhino plug-ins (Weaverbird, Honeybee, Ladybug), Autodesk Mudbox 2015, Bentley AECOsim Building Designer and Energy Simulator, Andrew Marsh Energy Simulators and Sun Path Analysis, Maxwell Render 3.0 with Rhino plug-in
  • Retired lab software: Bentley Microstation, Architecture and GenerativeComponents
  • Computer labs: we replaced 19 older computers with new Dell Precision T3610 workstations each with Xeon E5-1620 v2 3.7GHz quad core processor, 12 GB memory, 500 GB solid state drive and ATI FirePro W5000 2 GB video card.
  • Plot Room: added HP DesignJet T7200ps (Peach); retired Ostro
Fall, 2013
  • Updated lab software: Adobe Creative Cloud products (After Effects Pro, Dreamweaver, Flash Pro, Premier Pro, Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat Pro XI), Autodesk 2014 products (AutoCAD, AutoCAD Architecture, Map 3D, 3ds Max Design, Maya and Revit), Cinema 4D R14, FormZ 7.2, Magics 17, SketchUp Pro 2013, SolidWorks 2013.
  • New lab software: V-Ray for SketchUp, Gimp, Inkscape, LibreOffice, Scribus, Makerware, Lumion 3
  • Computer Labs: we replaced 22 older computers with new Dell Precision T3600 workstations each with Xeon E5-1620 3.6GHz quad core processor, 8 GB memory, 500 GB 10K hard drive and ATI FirePro W5000 2 GB video card.
Spring, 2013
  • New lab software: Rhino 5 (64 bit), Freemake Video Converter, and Blender. Rhino 4 is still available but will be retired for Fall 2013.
Fall, 2012
  • Updated software includes Autodesk 2013 products (AutoCAD, AutoCAD Architecture, Map 3D, 3ds Max Design, Maya and Revit), Adobe CS 6.0 products (After Effects Pro, Dreamweaver, Flash Pro, Premier Pro, Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat Pro X), Google Earth Pro 7, ArcGIS 10.2, Form Z 7.0, V-Ray for Rhino 1.5, Magics 16 and SolidWorks 2012.
  • Computer Labs: we replaced 17 older computers with new Dell Precision T3600 workstations each with 8 GB memory, 750 GB 64 mb cache hard drive and ATI FirePro V5900 1 GB video card.
  • Computer Labs: computer screens in both labs were upgraded to 24”.
Spring, 2012
  • New display units: two 55” LCD TVs were added to Rooms 308 and 324
Fall, 2011
  • New lab software: Autodesk Map 3D 2012.
  • Updated lab software: 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
  • Plot Room: 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.
  • Computer Labs: 18 new computers have been added to the lab environment. 16 are replacements and two are new additions.This brings the total number of workstations to 58 (40 in the large lab and 18 in the small). New computers are Dell Precision T3500s (Xeon Quad Core 3.07ghz, 8 gb RAM, 1GB ATI FirePro V5900 video, 750gb 7200rpm hard drive with 64mb cache).
  • Computer Labs: 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.
  • Warehouse studio: added an Epson GT-20000 11x17” flatbed scanner and accompanying computer.
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.