1. Buying Your Laptop
2. Lab Computer Software
3. Downloadable Software
   • Autodesk
   • Google Earth Pro
   • ArcGIS
   • Data, Map & Government Information Services
   • Vectorworks
4. Software From UofT
   • Microsoft 365
   • Teams
   • Zoom
5. Software From Daniels
   • Rhinoceros 3D
   • V-Ray
   • RhinoCAM
   • Adobe Creative Cloud

All students must have their own laptop. Our lab computers should only be used for tasks you cannot perform on your own laptop.

Please note that the Faculty IT Department is not responsible for your laptop. Any hardware or software issues, unless it is software downloaded from our website, should be resolved with your computer manufacturer.

To minimize the instability of the wireless environment in studios, you must keep your wireless card driver software up-to-date. Go to your computer manufacturer website's Downloads section, select your computer model, and check for newest version of the driver.

Buying Your Laptop

Laptop Requirements

We recommend buying the best computer you can afford — but do not forget about servicing. Laptops are preferable over desktops because they allow you the greatest flexibility. Our recommendations assume you will want to use more advanced software for rendering and 3D modeling.

In general, the lighter the weight of a laptop and the more compact it is, the more expensive it is. You must balance the weight of the computer with the features you need.

There are three key points to consider when buying a computer for advanced work:

• For advanced 3D work and graphic design programs: such as AutoCAD, the graphics card is very important and cannot be changed after you have bought the unit. As a guide a dedicated graphics card with its own on-board memory (VRAM) of at least 4GB that supports DirectX 12 and OpenGL 4.1 or higher is recommended.
• A mid to high-tier multi-core processor and generous amount of memory is important: we recommend Windows 11, Intel i5/i7 or AMD Ryzen 5/7 processors, and a minimum of 16 GB of memory. Solid state storage drives (SSD) is highly recommended.
• A good warranty: covers the likely life of the laptop, three years is recommended.

Many computer manufacturers offer student discounts - visit the manufacturer's websites to find out more.

The vast majority of students purchase Windows PC laptops rather than MacBooks. One reason is that Autodesk suite products are not fully supported natively on the Mac platform. In addition, various plugins for Rhino3D are only available on the Windows platform.

Please shop around to find a product that works for you in terms of keyboard, screen size and additional features.

Lab Computer Software

The Following Software is Available on Most Lab Computers:

CAD Modeling

• Autodesk AutoCAD
• Autodesk 3DS Max
• Autodesk Revit
• Autodesk Raster Design
• Rhinoceros 3D
• SketchUp
• V-Ray for Rhino
• RhinoCAM

Graphics, Web Authoring

Adobe Creative Cloud

GIS

• ESRI ArcGIS
• Google Earth Pro

Standard

• Microsoft Office 
• Firefox
• VLC Player

Downloadable Software

Google Earth Pro

Google Earth Pro is free and can be downloaded here.

ArcGIS

UofT Map & Data Library offers license for ArcGIS Pro and other ESRI products to students. Request for access here.

Data, Map & Government Information Services

Available at the UofT Map & Data Library at 5th floor of Robarts Library.

Vectorworks

Students can download a free educational license of Vectorworks Design Suite software here.

Software from UofT

Microsoft 365

Get Microsoft 365 for free including Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Outlook and OneNote, both as web apps and install on up to 5 computers and devices. See here for installation instructions.

Microsoft Teams and Zoom

Use Microsoft Teams and Zoom to schedule your own online meeting and group chats. Teams is included as part of Microsoft 365.

To activate your UofT Zoom Education account, sign in with your UTORid and password at the UofT Zoom Portal.

Software from Daniels

Rhinoceros 3D

Rhino 7 licenses are available for distribution while quantities last. Otherwise, a 90 day FREE trial version can be downloaded here.

Software package available for current Daniels students include:

Rhino 7 Educational Single-User perpetual license

Each student is entitled to one free copy of the software license. The cost of an additional user license is $118.

The same serial number will be accepted on both Windows and Mac platforms.

  Rhino 7 Licence Key

  Rhino 7 Installers

Locating and retrieving your Rhino License key:

To locate your Rhino license key, simply log in to your Daniels Account and navigate to the “Software” tab. 

If you are reinstalling Rhino on a new computer make sure it is uninstalled on your old computer first. If you cannot do that (i.e computer crashed) then you will have to contact Rhino Support to reset your license key. 

V-Ray

** IMPORTANT!!! LICENSE SERVER NAME HAS CHANGED, PLEASE UPDATE. 

Please use "license2019.ald.utoronto.ca" as the Primary License server.

 Installation packages for V-Ray 2021 can be found in the Resources folder on our FTP.

V-Ray for Rhino Installation Guide

** If you are outside the Daniels Networks, please connect to the Cisco VPN first. **

*Maxwell & V-Ray for Rhino are not available for Mac.*

RhinoCAM 2023

A limited number of RhinoCAM 2023 licenses are available with a connection to our license server. To configure setup for your computer follow the steps provided here: RhinoCam instructions.

Adobe Creative Cloud

** Limited Supply **

A limited supply of Adobe Creative Cloud licenses are available for students to rent out for a fee. The rental will be available from September 2023 until April 2024.

    Adobe Creative Cloud Rental Fall 2023/Winter 2024 

 Dell Canvas 27 Tablet

Available now in the Undergraduate & Graduate Studio.

Dell Pen and Totem kit will be provided by IT with a ticket request.

** In order to use the Dell Canvas tablet with your computer, software must be downloaded and installed from here: Dell Canvas Software **