Knapp Media and Technology Center

Knapp — Start of Semester 2023

Knapp Equipment Desk:

  • 📅 Drop-in circulation on a limited schedule during Add period (from Tues, Sept 5th - Sun, Sept 17th). See drop-in hours here and email clappequipment@wellesley.edu with questions.
  • ✅ During the normal semester, Knapp EQ Desk is open for drop-in circulation during the afternoons. Check the schedule here.

Reminder: use the Wellesley VPN to access R&R if you are off-campus!

Knapp Makerspace:

  • Space open during building hours Tues, Sept 5th - Sun, Sept 17th.
    • ⚠️ Machine access policies still apply. Scroll down for more info on specific machines.
    • 📅 Staffed Hours and trainings are limited during this time. Check our appointment calendar starting Monday, Sept 11th.
  • ✅ Resumes with a regular schedule of Staffed Hours and trainings (TBA) starting Mon, Sept 18th.

Knapp Media and Technology Center

Located on the first floor of Clapp Library, the Knapp Media and Technology Center was founded by Betsy Knapp ‘64 as a place to explore, discover, and collaborate using different types of media and expression. Today the Knapp Center is the center of multimedia production on campus. Knapp is open to all students, regardless of coursework or department, although some equipment requires special training before use.
 

Knapp is home to:

  • A makerspace with 3D printers, sewing and embroidery machines, VR headsets, and more.

  • The Knapp Equipment Desk, where students, faculty, and staff can check out equipment for multimedia production.

  • A computer lab with professional creative software installed on each computer.
  • A sound-resistant Multimedia Editing Suite that can be reserved for audio recording, video editing, and more.

Equipment and Tools

Unless otherwise noted, use of Knapp equipment and tools is free. For some equipment, we may provide basic materials for free and give patrons the option to provide specialty materials themselves. If you have any questions about cost or materials, please email knappmedia@wellesley.edu.

Some equipment is only available during staffed hours and staffed hours may be limited during the first few weeks of the semester. Please plan accordingly!

Looking for specialized equipment like drones, 3D scanners, or something else? Find a list of non-circulating equipment available for academic projects here.

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Computers

About

Knapp has 17 Macs, 12 VR-Ready Alienware PCs, and 2 Wacom screens. Our computers hosts a variety of software applications, such as the Adobe Creative Cloud (Audition, Illustrator, InDesign, Lightroom, Photoshop, Premiere, etc.), the Autodesk Suite, Blender, and more.

Please remember that Knapp computers are public. We encourage you to always save projects to an external storage device (available via the Knapp Equipment Desk), as computers may be moved or re-imaged without warning.

Training

Training on how to use digital design software (Photoshop, Illustrator, Blender, etc) is available from Knapp student workers and staff. Email knappmedia@wellesley.edu for more information.

Availability

Knapp computers are generally available anytime Clapp Library is open. Wellesley community members can log on using their Wellesley domain account.

Reservations

When workshops or classes are taught in Knapp, attendees may get priority access to Knapp computers. Students working on academic projects that require high-powered computing may also occasionally receive priority access to a Knapp computer; please email knappmedia@wellesley.edu if you have questions.

 

3D Printers

About

Our Prusa i3 MK3S+, Prusa Mini, and Creator Pro 3D printers work by heating and extruding plastic filament layer-by-layer to create a three-dimensional object. We use PLA filament, which is a versatile thermoplastic derived from renewable resources.

Training

Training is required.

  • Sign up for a training via our appointment calendar.
  • 3D printing training takes approximately 60 minutes and should be completed individually (no groups please!).

Even if you've been trained, you can always request a refresher from a Production Consultant or sign up for another training.

Availability / Reservations

  • Prints can be started when Clapp Library opens up until 30 minutes before Makerspace Staffed Hours end.
  • No reservations required after training; first-come, first-serve.
Specialty 3D Printer: XL Filament

About

Our Creality CR-10 printer uses the same technology and filament as the basic 3D printers (Prusa MK3+ and Creator Pros), but can print items at a larger scale than our basic 3D printers.

Training

Training is required. Please attend a Basic 3D Printer training prior to scheduling a Specialty 3D Printer training.

Availability / Reservations

Use of the CR-10 printer requires supervision. Please email knappmedia@wellesley.edu to request an appointment.

Sewing Machines

About

Knapp has four Singer 4423 Heavy Duty sewing machines (Selena Sew-mez, Chris Hems-worth, Celine Dion, and Carly Rae Jepsen). In addition to the sewing machines, the sewing area is stocked with basic sewing supplies like an iron, ironing board, rulers, scissors, and pins.

Training

Training is required.

  • Sign up for a training via our appointment calendar.
  • Sewing machine training takes approximately 30 minutes and should be completed individually (no groups please!).

If you already know how to use a sewing machine, you can demo your knowledge and go over Knapp-specific sewing policies and procedures.

Availability / Reservations

After completing a training, available anytime Clapp Library is open. No reservations required; first-come, first-serve.

Embroidery Machine

About

One Brother PE800 with a 5x7" stitch area and one Brother PE535 embroidery machine with a 4x4" stitch area.

Training

Training is required.

  • Sign up for a training via our appointment calendar.
  • Embroidery machine training should be completed individually (no groups please!).

Even if you've been trained, you can always request a refresher from a Production Consultant or sign up for another training.

Availability / Reservations

During Makerspace staffed hours. No reservations required; first-come, first-serve.

Cutting Machine

About

The Silhouette Cameo 4 uses a small blade to cut thin material like cardstock, foam sheets, or sticker paper. The machine follows a path defined in a digital cut file, allowing you to make precise, complex, and repeatable designs.

Knapp provides cardstock paper free of charge. Please email knappmedia@wellesley.edu if you are planning to cut materials other than cardstock, as the material might require a different blade to be installed.

You can create your design from scratch within the Silhouette Studio software, import a design made with different software (such as Inkscape or Adobe Illustrator), or open a design you have purchased. Silhouette Studio Basic Edition can open .STUDIO3 and .DXF files and import common image formats like .JPG, .GIF, and .PNG (images can be converted to cut paths in Silhouette Studio).

Training

Training is optional. If you'd like to request a training or have any questions, ask a Production Consultant during Staffed Hours!

Availability / Reservations

Anytime Clapp Library is open. No reservations required; first-come, first-serve.

Virtual Reality (VR) Headsets

About

4 Oculus Rift headsets are connected to Alienware PCs and available for use anytime the library is open. You can find them in the back corner of the Knapp Center (look for the "VR" sign on the back wall!). You can play games, view simulations, create 3D art, and more.

We also have 2 Oculus Go headsets, 2 Magic Leap AR headsets, and 1 HTC Vive available. Email knappmedia@wellesley for more information about those.

Training

Training is optional; there are instructions on how to use the headsets posted near each one.

If you believe there is an issue with them, ask a Production Consultant during Staffed Hours or email knappmedia@wellesley.edy.

Availability

Anytime Clapp Library is open.

Reservations

No reservations required; first-come, first-serve.

Circuitry (Arduino, etc.)

About

TBA! Email knappmedia@wellesley.edu with any questions in the meantime.

Training

TBA!

Availability / Reservations

TBA!

Other Knapp Resources

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Audio & Video Digitization / Duplication

Knapp offers self-service tools for analog-to-digital conversion, digitization, or duplication, including a VHS player and digitizer, a region-free DVD player, and more.

 

Find documentation on audio conversion (LPs / vinyl records to CDs, etc.) here.

Find documentation on video digitization (VHS to DVD, DVD to .mp4, etc.) here.

Please abide by all copyright laws when using Knapp equipment.

If you are looking for full-service digitization, local companies like Everpresent have been well-reviewed by Wellesley staff.

2D/Flatbed Scanning

The Knapp Center has three Epson V600 and one Epson V750 scanner at stations 37 and 38. Find instructions on how to use scanners in Knapp Center Documentation G-Drive.

The Epson V750 scanner supports self-service film negative scanning. Film guides for 35mm or 6 x 9 negatives are available next to the scanners.

If you are looking for full-service slide scanning, local companies like Everpresent have been well-reviewed by Wellesley staff.

 

Other scanners on campus:

  • MFD across from Clapp 131, down the hall from Knapp
  • PNE Social Science Lab
  • Music Library
Microfilm

Wellesley has a ScanPro 3000 microform reader/printer/scanner. Directions on how to use the scanner's functionalities are posted next to the computer and scanner, or online here.

The microfilm reader is located behind the Knapp Center on the first floor of the library. Find a map here.

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