Computing Resources

The following recommendations are for incoming M.Arch students and second-year undergraduates taking Analysis + Representation, and applicable transfer students.

Architecture is a computer and graphics intensive program of study and profession; this requires higher end computers with faster processors, more memory, and dedicated graphics cards. Computer use is more intensive than many other programs of study that rely on basic office and productivity tools. To be effective and not frustrated with your computer, it is worth investing in a laptop with higher performance (and higher cost) than what is required for academic fields.

On the other hand, while the Department of Architecture does require computer and software purchases, we require very few large textbooks. The money that you would be spending on expensive textbooks in other disciplines can be applied to hardware and software costs.

UMass IT Computer Labs will be running Windows 10 Professional and Mac OS High Sierra

WINDOWS OR MAC?

Both platforms are used in the Department of Architecture and in the design professions. Many software programs taught in required courses and used professionally are native to Windows and/or only run on windows computer. Thus, students in the Department of Architecture Program must have a personal computer that runs the Windows operating system.

If you are already a Mac user, we recommend that you employ Apple's Boot Camp and set up your computer to 'Dual Boot' so that you can switch between Macintosh and Windows OS. Note that while Intel-based Mac computers can run Windows using BootCamp (dual-boot Mac and Windows), the new M1 Apple Silicon Macs cannot. Bootcamp is no longer available on Apple Silicon chips.

If you do set up your computer in dual boot, your Windows and Mac operating systems will not run at the same time. However, if you use an online storage system, you will be able to access them from both sides of your computer. UMass uses Microsoft One Drive for our secure online storage system (https://www.umass.edu/it/online-storage-collaboration).

• UMass IT can help students install Bootcamp on their Macs: https://www.umass.edu/it/software/apple-boot-camp-5
• Information on running a Windows on a Macintosh: https://support.apple.com/en- us/HT201468

The bottom-line – while you can initially get by with a Mac, some software runs only on Windows. If you are buying new, review software requirements and take this into account. Unless you are a dedicated Mac user, a Windows based computer is recommended.

*It’s worth upgrading and purchasing as much RAM as you can afford.

For example, many of the of the Lenovo Thinkpads with dedicated graphics cards available through the Umass campus store meet these requirements and would be good options: UMass Campus Store Laptops. We are not necessarily recommending that you purchase through the campus store, but simply offering an example of an appropriate computer. There are many places to purchase laptops and we suggest that you shop around for the best price.

Other Recommendations:

• An external hard drive for backing up your work
• Digital camera (phones work great!)
• Lock
• Surge protector
• If your computer does not have a touchscreen, you might consider a Wacom tablet or Ipad with stylus for sketching over digital drawings.

General

The Department of Architecture is studio-based, and each student will have his or her own desk in the design studio at which to work. Students derive substantial benefits from working alongside their peers in the design studio. The most productive educational moments often occur outside normal class hours. Working at home does not provide similar opportunities for peer-to-peer learning. For this reason, students must purchase laptops to have the greatest flexibility in work environments. The expected lifetime of a computer is three to five years. While an older computer may still work fine, technology will have advanced to the point of making a new computer attractive.

The University provides many software packages for free and others at a significant educational discount. Before purchasing software, it is worth reviewing the resources available to you.

Students will need to purchase and install the following software prior to the start of the semester:

Office 365 (required)

Available free to UMass students. https://www.umass.edu/it/software/microsoftoffice-365-education

Adobe Creative Suite.

Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

Subscription based software. Student pricing available. $19.99/month for the first year ($29.99/month after that).

Download: Adobe Create Suite (Student Pricing)

Rhino 8 (required)

Professional 3-D modelling and drawing program. Student pricing available. $195 for students (permanent license, not subscription)

Download: Rhino 8 Student

*Please purchase and download the Windows version (even if using a Mac).

Optional Software

Revit, Autocad and Autodesk Software (free):

• Autodesk offers free software for students: Autodesk Student Software

The Design Building has a forty-seat classroom and a flexible laptop lab adjacent to the Department of Architecture studios. Students have access to these Windows-based labs for digital technology courses. When not being used for teaching, students, faculty, and staff have access to the Computer Classroom facilities. UMass Information Technology operates 8 computer classrooms on campus and over 100 computers in the Learning Commons at the W.E.B. Du Bois Library. Consultants and printers are available in each of the IT Classrooms.

Members of the UMass community can use their UCards to pay for printing on a per page basis. Software, hours and availability can be found online (see links following). While you will find these resources useful, it will be challenging for you to be productive without your own laptop computer.

First stop for all things UMass and technology including your email account and academic software purchases:

• UMass IT: http://www.umass.edu/it/
• Software Free & Discounted: https://www.umass.edu/it/software
• Computer classrooms: http://www.umass.edu/it/computer-classrooms
• Link to IT Classroom Supported Software: https://www.umass.edu/it/classrooms/software
• Online Storage: https://www.umass.edu/it/online-storage-collaboration
• UMass USave Hardware Discounts: https://www.umassstore.com/usave
• Educational pricing on many products: http://www.journeyed.com/

The University provides links to downloadable anti-virus software for Macs and Windows; all machines, real or virtual (Fusion, Parallels), running Windows should have anti-virus software installed. https://www.umass.edu/it/security

Advice for Incoming M.Arch Students

Please spend some time prior to the start of school familiarizing yourself with UMass resources. Plan to come to the first day of class with your IT account, NetID, password, and email account activated.

• https://www.umass.edu/it/support/accounts

Department of Architecture Announcements are sent via e mail list serves. Sign up at:

• https://list.umass.edu/mailman/listinfo/arch-grad

If you are entering the program with absolutely no graphics background, you will ease your transition substantially by purchasing Adobe Creative Cloud or downloading the trial version and committing some hours to watching tutorials and getting familiar with the interface prior to the start of school.

• https://helpx.adobe.com/support.html