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Academic Technology Commons Spaces

Whether you're looking for a place to collaborate a private study space, the Academic Technology Commons houses plenty of innovative spaces. 

Designed to be a flexible and innovative resource to support a variety of technology needs and working styles, the Academic Technology Commons features modular seating options and work areas to support individual and group work.

Library users have access to computer workstations with a variety of productivity, video editing, and creation software along with charging and quick print stations.

Available Software on ATC Computers

Below is the current list of available software on the computers in the ATC Space to Create area.

If you would like to have additional or specialized software added to one or all of the ATC library computers for student use, please contact the ATC at 314-977-3103 or atc@slu.edu. 

Software available on every machine in the Information Commons:

  • Microsoft Office 2016 Suite
  • Chrome
  • Firefox
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Acrobat Reader DC
  • SPSS 24
  • Maple 2015 and 2016
  • Paint.NET
  • VLC Media Player
  • Windows Media Player
  • R Statistical Software
  • EndNote X7.5
  • Affinity Designer
  • Affinity Photo
  • Audacity
  • Autodesk Inventor 2018
  • Autodesk Netfabb
  • GIMP
  • Inkscape
  • Ocenaudio
  • SketchUp 2017

Specific machines have the following specialized software installed:

  • 123D Design
  • Adobe Distiller DC
  • Adobe CC, including:
    • Photoshop
    • Illustrator
    • Premiere
    • ProInDesign
  • Barenreiter
  • Biblioteca Agiograficia Italiana
  • Bloomberg Professional Service
  • Brepols
  • Corel Draw Graphic Suite 2017
  • Edge
  • Guild Press Programs
  • Hengwrt Chaucer Digital Facsimile
  • Libronix Digital Library System
  • Opentoonz
  • Respondus
  • Routledge Wellesley Index
  • SPSS
  • Thesaurus Linguae Graecae
Quick Record Studio

Most of the equipment in the Quick Record Studio is arranged for recording the perfect presentation, however, adjustments can be made by an ATC staff member to meet specific needs.

To get started:

  • Come to the ATC with a USB thumb drive or hard drive to record the material straight to an MP4 file on your drive.
  • Position the equipment (and yourself) to the best advantage in front of the camera. You can use the camera remote to zoom in and out, and to raise and lower the lens.
  • Grab the recorder remote control and hit the red record button twice to begin recording.
  • When finished, hit the record button a final time to stop recording.
  • Remove your storage medium.

Editing footage:

To request studio time:
Contact us at 314-977-3103, atc@slu.edu, or request time with this form.

Editing Pods

Loaded with high-quality AV equipment, the Editing Pods include workstations with multiple displays and audio splitters for individual and group work.

To get in contact with an ATC staff member about using the Editing Pods, please contact us at 314-977-3103 or atc@slu.edu.

Options for editing or copying audio:

  • CD and DVD duplication: A free-standing tower duplicator is available to make up to six copies of an original disc at one time. The duplication takes approximately five minutes per batch. The unit can copy data discs, audio CDs and video DVDs. (The ATC and SLU does not support or allow the use of these machines to illegally duplicate copyrighted materials.)
  • This facility allows you to combine audio from multiple sources for more involved projects. The equipment available includes:
    • Two cassette recorders
    • One CD player
    • One CD recorder
    • One broadcast quality turntable
    • One 1/4" reel-to-reel recorder
    • One minidisc recorder
    • Two S-VHS VCRs
    • Multiple broadcast quality microphones
    • One audio workstation running Adobe Audition

You can mix almost any combination of these sources to CD, cassette, reel-to-reel, minidisc, the audio workstation or a VHS video tape. This resource requires approximately 10 minutes of instruction to get you up and running with simple projects, so book time in advance.

To reserve the video/audio lab, contact us at 314-977-3103 or atc@slu.edu.

Collaboration Studio

The Collaboration Studio allows groups to brainstorm and create in an adaptable work environment. The study areas in the Collaboration Studio are reservable on D!bs and feature:

  • Floor-to-ceiling whiteboard walls
  • Mobile whiteboards
  • Wireless display for presentations 

Available in the Collaboration Studio study areas, wePresent is a wireless presentation system to make collaborating on projects, assignments, presentations and more much easier.
 
For more information on using wePresent, view the:

Idea Labs

This space was designed from the ground up to provide a flexible and creative environment for brainstorming and collaboration. 

Idea Labs are reservable on D!bs and come with:

  • Lightweight and movable furniture
  • Floor-to-ceiling whiteboards
  • Embedded touch displays with connections for student devices
  • wePresent

Innovation Studio

Bring your concepts to life using 3D printers and scanners, laser cutters and hologram projections in the Innovation Studio. Our technology is constantly updating. Below is a list of what the ATC Innovation Studio has currently available.

3D Printing

The ATC has three 3D printers available for use, each with its own specialty:

  • Prusa: Best for everyday projects, with free PLA filament available for student use
  • Stratasys Mojo: Best for small and fiddly bits and items that need additional support

Learn more about the capabilities of each printer below.

Get Started

Design:

  • Create your design - knowing the desired purpose, dimensions, and uses of the final product - or download a .STL or .OBJ file from the internet.
  • Materials: What is your design being used for? Any time restrictions in printing and desired quality of the print? This will help determine the best filament.
  • Cost: Cost of printing is determined by the amount of materials used for certain printers. An ATC worker would need to see the file before determining costs. Currently, printing on the Lulzbot Taz 6 using PLA filament is free for students and faculty.
  • Time: 3D printing can take a lot of time depending on the size of the design. Jobs can be left and picked up at a later time. Please leave your information with one of the ATC staff members when you come in to discuss the print job.
  • Software: All ATC computers are equipped with Autodesk Innovations. A three year trial is also available to students if you would like to download it to your personal computer. Additional open source CAD (Computer-Aided Drawing) programs are listed in the Additional Resources section.

Print:

  • Files must be saved to a flash drive as a .STL or .OBJ and brought to the ATC.
  • Speak to an ATC staff member to preview the file and discuss settings, materials, and timing.
    Once the design is loaded into the printer, an ATC staff member will be able to calculate the cost of materials, if applicable, and the printer will estimate the  print time (it’s a good idea to add an additional two hours to the estimate to account for additional print time and cool down).
  • An ATC staff member will load the requested material into the printer, if needed, and start the print.
  • Any applicable charges can be paid with Billiken Bucks, credit or debit card.

Finish:

  • Some print jobs may require a little additional care once printed. This can include clipping printing supports, sanding down bumps, and even painting the completed model if you want. Some tools for post-printing processing are available in the ATC but others will need to be purchased separately.
  • PLEASE DO NOT pause, stop, or otherwise alter any jobs currently printing as this could cause the print to fail and potentially damage the printer.
  • If there seems to be an error with the printer (lost shape, no longer printing) please inform an ATC staff member immediately.
  • Please inform an ATC staff member before collecting your print as it may still be hot or need help being removed from the machine. If the print has been finished for a while, it may be back with one of the ATC staff members. Please talk to the staff who can collect the print for you.

3D Printers

Prusa

Students can bring their own 3mm filament to use with prior approval from an ATC staff member. Alternate materials can also be purchased on request. Please allow for additional time if ordering materials.

Filaments available for use:

  • PLA (polylactic acid/polylactide) filament
    An all-purpose, lightweight, inflexible and eco-friendly filament option.
    Great for: Cosmetic prints; Test and calibration items; Dimensionally accurate assemblies; Decorative Parts/Toys; Cosplay Props
    Colors Immediately Available: Fluorescent Green, Blue, Black, Purple, Red, Yellow, and Light Grey.
    Durability: 3/5; Flexibility: 0/5; Ease of Use: 5/5
  • Co-Polyester filament
    A strong, lightweight, slightly flexible, and high-temperature resistance filament option.
    Great for: Gears (Medium Load); Supports for spacers, flanges and general utility; Med chemical resistance, uses exclude any chlorines; Household replacement parts; textiles.
    Colors Immediately Available: White, Black, Clear.
    Durability: 5/5; Flexibility: 2/5; Ease of Use: 2/5
  • Coming Soon: T-Glase filament
    A strong filament that has an attractive glassy sheen and is FDA approved food-grade material.
    Great for: Anything that needs that glossy look, has bridging pieces, is being used around food, or needs to be watertight. NOT dishwasher safe, hand-wash only!
    Colors Immediately Available: Clear, red, and blue.
    Because this is a specialty grade filament, there may be a monetary charge associated with the amount of material used. Please ask an ATC staff member for additional information.
    Durability: 4/5; Flexibility: 1/5; Ease of Use: 2/5
  • Coming Soon: PCTPE filament
    Short for "Plasticized Copolyamide Thermoplastic Elastomer," PCTPE is a highly flexible, durable polymer with rubber-like properties.
    Great for: Wearable prints, cell phone enclosures, and other flexible utility parts.
    Colors Immediately Available: Neon Green
    Because this is a specialty grade filament, there may be a monetary charge associated with the amount of material used. Please ask an ATC staff member for additional information.
    Durability: 4/5; Flexibility: 5/5; Ease of Use: 2/5

Formlabs Form 2

See the Formlabs Form 2 in action

The Formlabs Form 2 is a stereolithography printer that can provide high-resolution parts, prototypes, and models. Learn more about stereolithography printing here.

Alternate materials can also be purchased on request. Please allow for additional time if ordering materials.

Resin available for use:

  • Standard resins
    ($ .25/ml): Durable, no flexibility
    Great for: Detailed models, can be painted/post-process; Figurines
    Colors: black, clear
  •  Durable resin
    ($ .29/ml): Tough, high wear and impact resistant, minor flexibility, not as detailed as Standard resins
    Great for: prototype models, joints, snap-fix parts, mechanical prototypes
    Colors: opaque 
  • Flexible resin
    ($ .32/ml): Simulates hard rubber (think rubber shoe sole), very flexible, wearable, not stretchable.
    Great for: impact resistance and compression, great for ergonomic soft-touch grips Cushioning and dampening; Functional prototypes; Ergonomic prototyping: handles, grips; Simulating soft-touch materials; Adding soft overmolds to multi-material assemblies; Packaging; Stamps
    Colors: black 
  • High Temp resin
    ($ .32/ml): Very durable, no flexibility, able to withstand 289 °C @ 0.45 MPa
    Great for: Heat resistant fixtures; Housing components; Hot air and fluid flow; Mold prototyping; Environmental testing
    Colors: opaque
  • Tough resin
    ($ .29/ml): Simulates ABS plastic, very durable and flexible
    Great for: High-stress components; Snap-fit functions and living hinges; Machining; Cyclic loading; Geometrically accurate prototyping under load. Not intended for high heat as thinner pieces (such as the pictured bowl) may deform if left in high temperatures for extended periods.
    Colors: teal

Preform software
If this is your first time using the Formlabs Form2, please arrange a time with an ATC staff member to help set up your print.
Formlabs uses its own software for printing, called Preform.
Preform accepts .STL, .OBJ, and .FORM file types.

Stratasys Mojo

The Stratasys Mojo is perfect for small projects that need extra support while printing.

Materials available for use:

  • ABS filament
    ($ .20/cc): An all-purpose, wear resistant, heat tolerant, filament option with some minor flexibility (what Legos are made of).
    Great for: Anything that needs to be durable and/or will be exposed to high heat; Phone cases; plastic car parts; musical instruments; Legos.
  • Support Material
    ($ .40/cc): used to support more complex ABS models. This will later be dissolved and removed from the print.
    Colors: blue

Additional Resources:

3D Scanner

3D scanners can take your real-world object and scan it into a 3D digital model.

Get Started

Einscan-S:
The Einscan-S is good for scanning small, stationary objects, or for partial scans.

  • Bring the object to the ATC Innovations Lab.
  • Log into the computer attached to the Einscan-S
  • Calibrate the machine by placing the calibration board (White A-board with a black insert with white dots) on the turntable with the pattern facing the scanner. Do not move the board; the turntable will rotate it as needed until otherwise noted. When prompted, turn the calibration plate (black piece with white dots) 90 degrees and replace on A-board. When finished, the software will automatically close the calibration window. If you are experiencing difficulty, please ask one of the ATC staff members.

Free Scan: Great for objects that do not fit on the turntable.

  • Use the crosshairs on the scanner head to determine optimal distance. Too far or too close and details are lost or undefined. The cross should be clear and concise.
  • Objects can be scanned like a puzzle in sections if necessary and assembled at a later step. Save each successive scan into the same project.

Auto Scan:

  • Great for objects that fit on the turntable.
  • Set the object on the turntable.
  • Click “New Project” or “Open Project” if this scan is part of a series.
  • Save the scans.

Additional Resources:

Structure Scanner for iPad:
The Structure Scanner is not available at this time as it undergoes updates. Please contact us at at 314-977-3103 or atc@slu.edu to check availability.

Hologram Projector

RealFiction Dreamoc HD3

RealFiction Dreamoc HD3 is a 3D display case providing enhanced narrative for any project, presentation, or product.

It's great for interactive 3D display models, product demonstration and video projection and display.

See an example of Realfiction in use with an Altec Lansing speaker display

Get Started


Design:

  • An animation or still image (that will be rendered to move at a later stage)
  • Recommended software: Adobe After Effects (available on certain ATC computers)
    • Import the animation into After Effects using the Dreamoc HD3 After Effects Template. Place it in the “Edit here” composition. All edits should be made inside this composition such as scaling and positioning the animation or designing rotation/movement of still images.
    • “Render here” and match your Work Area to the length of the animation. “Make movie” with the following settings.
    • Audio should be loaded to the Dreamoc HD3 separately as a 16 bit, 48.000 kHz, stereo Wave file.
  • Supported file types: H264, MP4, WMV, AVI, MPEG1/2/4, VC-1
  • Resolution: 1920x1080
  • Frame Rate: 30 fps (unless altered through all compositions)
  • Field Order: None (Progressive)
  • Pixel Aspect Ratio: Square Pixels (1,000)

Tips

  • Avoid large areas of black unless intentionally making void space
  • Add rotation or movement to make animations more dynamic

Additional Resources:

Virtual Reality Simulator 

Vive is a fully immersive virtual reality system, available with tools, simulations and games. Set up a time with an ATC staff member to test it out today!

See the HTC Vive in action with SteamVR

The ATC's Vive is connected to a Steam account as well as housing programs that allow users to explore a science lab, explore the human skeleton, or paint in 3D. The currently available games include:

Schedule a time to use the Vive by contacting the ATC at 314-977-3103 or atc@slu.edu.