Getting Started

• Creating a Design Laser System Account - In order to use DLS, you must first create an account on the system.
• Logging into DLS - The Design Laser System requires that you login with a user ID and password.
• Main Schedule Window - Once you've logged in, you can view reservations for any 15-day timeframe. You can also find out the current operational status of each lasercutter.
• Limitations for Non-Certified Users - We require all lasercutter users to be properly trained and certified to use our lasercutters. Non-certified users have only limited access to the system.

Working with Reservations

• Creating Reservations - How to schedule a reservation in the system.
• Modifying Reservations - How to change the parameters of an existing reservation.
• Deleting Reservations - How to cancel one of our existing reservations.
• Ending a Reservation Early - Using a lasercutter and finishing up before your timeslot expires.

Updating your DLS Account

• Updating Your Account Information - How to update your account information, including such information as your e-mail address, secret question etc...
• Changing Your Password - How to update your DLS account password.
• Signing Up for New Certification - Lasercutter certification is valid for two years. You must sign up to attend a new session after two years if you plan to continue using the lasercutters.

Getting Help

• Forgotten DLS Password - How to reset your password in the event that you forget.
• Lasercutter Status Information - How to find out the current status of the lasercutters, including if they are currently in use.

Getting Started

Creating a Design Laser System Account

In order to use the Design Laser System, you must first create an account in the system. To do this, open the Design Laser System client (click here for download instructions, or visit a computer lab and click on the "Design Laser System" icon).

Once the login window apperas, click on the "Create Account" button. You will then see the following screen:

Fill out the form completely. Make sure that your Unity ID is the same ID that you use to login to lab and cluster computers (not your student ID number). Your password should not be something simple like "password" or a repeat of your Unity ID. Make sure that your preferred e-mail address is one that you check on a regular basis, since you will regularly receive confirmation and notifcation e-mails from the Design Laser System.

Also take care when deciding which Certification Session you plan to attend (date are shown in YYYY-MM-DD format). You should make every effort to attend the session for which you register since you MUST be certified before being allowed to use the lasercutters.

Once you have filled out the form, click on the "Register" button and the Design Laser System wil add your account. If you are on campus when you complete this form, you should receive an e-mail confirming your registration.

Logging into DLS

If you've already created a DLS account, logging in is simple. Launch the Design Laser System client then enter your Unity ID and DLS password in the login window:

If your password is accepted, you will be taken to the Main Schedule window. if there is an error, you will be informed of what went wrong.

Main Scheduling Window

Once you've logged into DLS, you will see the Main Schedule window.

From this window you cn see and control what is going on in the Design Laser System. You can create and modify reservations using the buttons in the Reservation Actions group, on the right side of the window.

You can also change the 15-day timframe being displayed in the graphical schedules. To do so, simply change the selected date int eh Schedule Display group also on the ridght side of the window.

The Design Laser System also has the ability to show you the current status of both lasercutters. The color bars just above each graphic schedule will tell you if either lasercutter is out of order, operational but idel, or operational and in use.

Limitations for Non-Certified Users

Lasercutter users are REQUIRED to attend a Certification Session and receive training prior to being granted access. To facilitate attendance at these sessions, non-certified users have only limited access to the Design Laser System.

Non-certified users are welcome to create accounts in the system and login, However, non-certified users CANNOT create, manage or delete reservations. Non-certified users will only have the ability to look around in the system.

Working with Reservations

All of these actions below assume that you have logged into the Design Laser System and you are looking at the Main Schedule Window.

Once you are looking at the Main Schedule window, find the "Reservation Actions" group on the right side. This is where you access each of the following reservation actions.

Creating Reservations

To create a reservation for one of the lasercutters, click on the "Create Reservation" button on the Main Schedule window. You will enxt see the following Create a Reservation window, which will allow you to specify the particulars about your reservation.

A reservation consists of several important pieces of information.

• Select a date on the calendar on the left side, and then specify a time using the drop-down boxes on the right. You can start a reservation on every half-hour only.
• Select a duration for this reservation. Reservations can be anything from a half-hour to 2 hours.
• Specify which lasercutter you wish to use. Unless a lasercutter is out of order, either machine should be suitable.

Once you have filled out these details, click on the "Reserve" button and a record will be added to the database. The new timeframe should immediately appear on the colored schedule grid at the date and time you requested. You will also receive an e-mail from the system within 15 minutes confirming that you have made a reservation.

A couple of limitations to keep in mind.

• You may schedule up to five future reservations. If the system detects that you are attempting to sign up for any more than 5 future reservations, it will give an error.
• You may not schedule reservations that start in the past.
• You may not schedule reservations on behalf of another user.

Modifying Reservations

In order to modify one of your existing reservations click on the "Modify Reservation" button in the Main Schedule window. You will see the following Modify a Reservation window.

Select your desired reservation from the schedules OR the list on the left side of the screen. Your selected reservation's details will appear in the window and allow you to modify any details that you wish (including the starting date and time, duration of the reservation, and even the lasercutter you plan to use).

Once you've made your changes, click on the "Modify" button and the changes will be stored in the database. The new timeframe should immediately appear on the colored schedule grid at the date and time you requested. You will also receive an e-mail from the system within 15 minutes, confirming that you have made a reservation.

A couple of limitations to keep in mind.

• You may schedule up to five future reservations. If the system detects that you are attempting to sign up for any more than 5 future reservations it will give an error.
• You may not schedule reservations that start in the past.
• You may not schedule reservations on behalf of another user.

Deleting Reservations

In order to delete one of your reservations click on the "Delete Reservation" button in the Main Schedule window. You will see the following Delete a Reservation window.

Select your desired reservation from the schedules OR the lists on the left side of the screen. Your selected reservation's details will appear in the window. If you're sure you wish to delete the reservation, then press the "Delete Reservation" button. The timeframe should immediately disappear from the colored schedule grid. No e-mails are sent about deleted reservations.

Ending a Reservation Early

If the system detects that you've logged in during one of your reservations, an End Reservation Early window will appear. You can also access this window yourself by clicking on the "End Reservation Early" button in the Main Schedule window (click for a pop-up larger version).

This option will ONLY appear if you're in the middle of one of your reservations. This window will let you quickly and easily wrap up your reservation early. If youclick the "Yes, End Early" button, the system will attempt to round your reservation timeframe to the nearest future half-hour. If you are within 30 minutes of completing your existing reservation, the timeframe will not be altered.

If you wish to keep working, click the "No, Still Working" button, and the window will close. You can still access this window from the Main Schedule window, by clickig on "End Reservation Early."

Updating your DLS Account

Updating Your Acount Information

To upate the basic details of your Design Laser System account, click on the "Account Information Settings" link at the top of the Update Design Laser Account window. You will see the following screen.

You can update or modify any of the following here.

• Your name (first name, last name, or both)
• Preferred e-mail address
• Your Secret Quesiton and/or Answer

Once you have made your changes, hit the "Update" button, and they will be saved to the database.

Changing Your Password

To change your Design Laser System password, click on the "Change Laser System Password" link at the top of the Update Design Laser Account window. You will see the following screen.

You must first type in your current password. If this password is incorrect, it will not be changed. Type in your new password in the "New Password" field, and then retype it in the "Retype New Password" field. If everything matches, hit the "Update" button, and they will be saved to the database. If there is a problem, you will see an error message.

Signing Up for New Certification

Since your certification expires after two years, you may need to sign up to attend a new Certification Session. Alternately, you may have missed a Certification Session for which you already signed up, and you need to sign up again. To do so, click on the "Certification Session Sign-Up" link at the top of the Update Design Laser Account window. You will see the following screen.

Select a timeframe from the drop-down menu, and press the "Register" button. This menu will list all upcoming sessions so the list is always complete. If there are no scheduled upcoming Certification Sessions please contact design_help@ncsu.edu

Getting Help

Forgotten DLS Password

Because of the way the password is stored in the database, we cannot retrieve your password (it is stored in a highly-encrypted format). If you have forgotten your password you can have it rest by opening the Design Laser System client and click on the "Forgot Password" button. You will then see the following screen.

In a series of steps you will be asked to identify yourself by your Unity ID and then respond to the Secret Question that you specified when you created your account. If your answer matches what is stored in the database you will be prompted to provide a new password for your account.

Once you've changed your password, you can login immediately with the new password.

Lasercutter Status Information

Because the lasercutters are in such high demand during the academic year, we've made every effort to provide you as much information as possible about their operational status. Check the Main Schedule window for the status of the lasercutter.