Lab Policies
- NO FOOD OR DRINK IN THE LAB!
-
"Arranged Hours" (see class schedule) are hours you should work in the
lab to practice the software or concepts taught in lecture. The lab is
available on a drop-in basis (you do not schedule "arranged" hours).
- Priority is given to students during their assigned class hours.
See the Lab Schedule
to determine open lab times.
- Upon entering the lab to do work, YOU MUST SCAN IN OR 'KEY IN' your student
ID. This is necessary to show that the lab is important and is being utilized
by the students! The Scan-in device is located at the entry reception
desk. If you have problems, check with the lab supervisor.
- Internet access in the lab is for conducting work related to your
engineering classes. Any other use is considered inappropriate.
If you are using the internet in an inappropriate way you will be requested to
discontinue this use. If you persist, you will be asked to leave the lab. If you do not leave we
will be obligated to request administrative or security personnel involvement.
- Priority is given to student practicing engineering software or conducting
work related to SAC engineering classes. If you are using the internet and
the workstation is needed for student software practice, you may be asked to
relinquish the workstation.
General Use of Computers...
- Turn on the PC
- The login window appears. "A225" appears as username. The
password is blank. Just press ENTER, to login. There is no password.
- The "Windows" desktop appears. On the desktop are small images with labels,
called "icons".
- Double-click one of the icons (e.g., AutoCAD) to start the program.
- You may temporarily save files on the lab computer in the C:/Run
directory. We suggest use the file in this directory while you are
working.
- Save your work often! It takes only a second or so to save your file.
Computers and programs can crash, and all of your hard work will be lost!
- When you are ready to leave, copy the file from that directory over to your
remote storage media (e.g., thumb drive, floppy, CD). Double-check that
the file copied over to your remote storage media!
- Then clear the "Run" directory before you leave. This prevents other
students from cheating and copying your work.
- Do NOT leave any files on the lab computers. They will NOT be there
when you return. They are set to wipe out any non-system or non-program
files upon each restart.
General AutoCAD instructions
- Select the correct AutoCAD Icon.
- Do not use the Architectural or Mechancial Desktop versions unless your instructor has directed you to do so.
Most of our AutoCAD classes, including 183, 184, 185, 186, use only the basic
AutoCAD, and NOT the trade specific Architectural or Mechanical versions.
Inventor is also not taught in 183, 184, 185, or 186.
- Note - left clicking the mouse typically selects. Right-clicking the
mouse produces a 'context menu' or completes an AutoCAD command.
- Save your work! In the menu bar, select "File" (by moving the cursor
over the word and left-clicking) to get the drop down list.
- Select "Save As"
- Under "Save In", navigate to a preferred location (e.g., C:/Run or your remote storage media)
- At the top of the SaveAs dialogue box, you'll see the default save location.
It won't be where you'd like to save, most likely. It defaults to the location
of the default drawing on the CAD Lab computer's hard drive. Since as already
mentioned that would not be a good place to leave work, you'll want to use the drop down list and
find your remote disk or drive location. You'll see that the C: drive
is the CAD Lab computer's hard drive. There are a few other drives
listed such as the CD ROM drive, a User drive for faculty, etc. If you
are saving to a floppy disk (available for free from the lab
assistant), then select A:. If you are saving to CD ROM, be sure you've
got a CD-R in the drive before you add the file there. After adding a
CD ROM file, you will still need to use My Computer or Windows Explorer
to burn your file(s) to the CD ROM. Or perhaps easiest, you can save to a flash
drive, which will likely be letter F: or so.
- Under "File name", type a file name
- Under "Files of type", you may save your file as a prior release drawing
file (.dwg), or as a template file (.dwt).
- Ask the lab assistant for help if you need it!
Standards of Conduct for the Computer Lab
- All students must read and comply with the policies described on the
"Standards of Conduct for Computer Classrooms and Computer Labs" sheet.
- A copy of this policy is shown below (click the image)
Lab Assistants
- Trained lab assistants are in the lab at all times.
- Their job is to supervise the lab, assist students,
and ensure that
division policies are being followed.
- They are well trained in the use
of most software we use and can provide help where needed
- But, lab assistants are not instructors and are not expected to provide
instruction.
- If
you are experiencing difficulties in learning, check with your instructor.
