Distance Education

Architectural Drafting and Estimating Technology Online

COMPUTER AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS
(PC OR LAPTOP)

Below is a list of basic requirements for students enrolled in the Architectural Drafting and Estimating online program at NDSCS. For additional information, contact Paul Lekang at 1-800-342-4325, ext 3-2592 or email.

Students interested in purchasing a laptop through NDSCS may find laptop specifications and cost information on the Architectural Drafting Department web site. For information about laptops, contact Chris Kelsen at 1-800-342-4325, ext 3-2843 (701-671-2843) or email.

Item PREFERRED COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS for PC or Laptop
Processor P4 1.7+ Mhz or greater
RAM (memory) 1 GB 533 MHz 1DIMM minimum, 2.0 GB recommended
Hard Disk Drive (HDD) 60 GB 5400 rpm
Display 15"-17" SXGA+ Screen or greater
Optical Devices DVD/CD-RW Drive (3.5" Floppy Disk Drive is optional)
The 3.5" Floppy Disk Drive is often convenient but will be too small for the largest drawings in the later classes.
Video 64 M (NVIDIA or ATI or equal)
Comm (wired) Cable Modem or DSL (Although a phone modem will work, we highly suggest that you invest in a faster option. This is especially important if you are taking several classes and will be spending a significant amount of time online every day.)
Sound Sound Card Required
Ports/Connectors Although these are not required for the program, it is always a good idea to remember that "expandability" and "upgradeability" are very good qualities to have in a computer. (Extra USB ports can be added in the future without much problem.)
PC Card PCMCIA
Battery Optional
Operating System

Microsoft XP Pro (make sure it is the "Pro" version)
-or-
Vista 32-bit (Vista 64-bit is not compatible with Drafting software)

Mouse/Pad 3 button mouse with "wheel" -or- 5 button MS Explorer mouse (should be optical USB mouse)
Other Equipment Needed Scanner - 8.5" x 11" minimum bed size (250 dpi or greater)
Software Required: Microsoft Word
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Photo Editor (or equal)
AutoCAD software will be provided in CAD 120 (included with text) and an update will be obtained during the ARCT 101 class.
The latest version of AutoCAD Architectural Desktop will be required for ARCT 201 and ARCT 202. NOTE: Do not purchase until time of enrollment

Virus Scanning Software - MacAfee, Norton or equal
Zip file software - WinZip or equal (available online for free)
Acrobat Reader (free download available online)
Acrobat Writer is optional (NOT free)

*Students who want to complete the entire Drafting program should get AutoCAD Architectural Desktop 2006 instead of AutoCAD 2006 or AutoCAD LT 2006.
**Students taking just a few CAD classes or the Residential Certificate of Completion can use AutoCAD 2006 or AutoCAD LT 2006.