¶ Laptop Setup Guide
Time needed: ~60–90 minutes
You’ll need: stable Wi-Fi, your linkblue username/password, Duo on your phone, and a charged/plugged-in laptop
Where to get help: CoD Tech Help — joe.brewer@uky.edu • Gray Design Building, Room 114 • UK ITS: 859-218-HELP (4357)
What changed (important!)
- Adobe Creative Cloud: Before apps like Photoshop appear, you must click Request License at
download.uky.edu. If you skip this, you’ll see “admin hasn’t released” or “not entitled.”- Rhino Student License: If your order says “shipping,” that means you’ll receive license instructions by email (not a physical box). Watch your inbox for your key and activation steps.
¶ Before you start
- How to sign in (rule of thumb):
- UK sites (download.uky.edu, Account Manager, etc.): sign in with linkblue (no “@uky.edu”).
- Vendor sites (Adobe, Chaos/V-Ray, Epic/Twinmotion): start with linkblue@uky.edu → you’ll be redirected to the UK login → enter linkblue + password → approve Duo.
- Stay on Wi-Fi and don’t close installers early.
- If a screen looks different from a screenshot/video, follow the written steps here—they’re the source of truth.
¶ Step 1 — Activate your linkblue (new students)
- Go to
newstudent.uky.eduand complete the activation wizard. - Set a strong password and enroll your phone in Duo.
- Save your linkblue; you’ll use it everywhere.
¶ Step 2 — Join campus Wi-Fi (eduroam)
- Open Wi-Fi settings → choose eduroam.
- Username:
linkblue@uky.edu - Password: your linkblue password
- If you later change your password, Forget eduroam and re-join.
Some Android/Chromebook devices may ask you to approve a certificate—just follow the on-screen prompts.
¶ Step 3 — Install Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive)
- Go to
office365.uky.edu. - Sign in and click Install apps, and then Microsoft 365 apps.
- After install, open Word and confirm you’re signed in.
- Turn on AutoSave so files land in OneDrive by default.
The latest guide is available from the UKY Tech Help Center.
https://uky.service-now.com/techhelp?id=kb_article&sys_id=e8f545571bf9e950e4c86571604bcb41&sysparm_article=KB0012178&sys_kb_id=e8f545571bf9e950e4c86571604bcb41
¶ Step 4 — Install Adobe Creative Cloud (Windows or macOS)
Read first: This is a two-part process—request your license at UK first, then install Adobe.
¶ A) Request your Adobe license (required)
- Go to
download.uky.edu→ Adobe Creative Cloud. - Above the download links, click Request License and submit.
- Also linked here - Adobe License Request
- Wait for the license to provision (this is a manual process that may take several hours). If you try to install apps before this, you’ll see “admin hasn’t released this” or “not entitled.”
¶ B) Install Creative Cloud and apps
- From the same page, download the Creative Cloud installer
- Adobe Creative Cloud (Windows)
- Adobe Creative Cloud (Mac)
- Run the installer. When asked for an email, enter
linkblue@uky.edu, then Continue. - On the UK login page, enter linkblue (no “@uky.edu”) + password → approve Duo.
- Open the Creative Cloud desktop app and install Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat, etc.
Troubleshooting
- “Admin hasn’t released / Not entitled”: You likely skipped Request License at
download.uky.eduor did not wait until the license request was approved. Go back and do that; sign out/in of Creative Cloud after approval. - Stuck installer or weird errors: Use Adobe’s Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool or call 859-218-HELP.
- Graduating or leaving UK: Your UK Adobe account will be deactivated. Migrate files you want to keep to a personal Adobe ID beforehand.
¶ Step 5 — Install Rhino 8 (CAD)
- Purchase the Rhino 8 Educational Student License
- If asked, upload proof of enrollment (student ID or class schedule).
- About “Shipping”: That status almost always means “we’re emailing your license details”—there is no physical box. Watch your inbox (and spam) for a message with your license key and download link.
- Install Rhino 8 from the link provided.
¶ Step 6 — Install V-Ray for Rhino (rendering)
Wait until you speak to your studio professor before buying this monthly license. You may not need it for a full year.
- Go to Chaos → Education (Students) and purchase the V-Ray Education license.
- Create/sign in to your Chaos account with
linkblue@uky.edu(verify student status if asked). - Download V-Ray for Rhino and close Rhino before installing.
- After installation, sign in when V-Ray prompts you to authorize your license.
¶ Step 7 — Install Twinmotion (real-time visualization)
- Install the Epic Games Launcher.
- Create an account through Epic Games
- Sign in with
linkblue@uky.edu→ search Twinmotion → Get → Install. - Install then launch Twinmotion
Education licenses are free for students/educators. A dedicated GPU will make Twinmotion much smoother.
¶ Step 8 — Print in the College of Design (Windows) — CoD Process
We use PaperCut—but don’t pull the general UK version. Use the College of Design package from Canvas.
¶ PaperCut Install Guide Wiki
¶ Step 9 — AutoDesk (AutoCAD, Revit, Fusion, Forma)
These applications may or may not be needed for your classes. They are available for free by using your linkblue@uky.edu email. To begin the download process, go to this link and follow the instructions for Students.
(https://www.autodesk.com/education/edu-software/overview)
¶ Step 10 — Nice-to-have essentials
- OneDrive: Turn on AutoSave in Word/Excel/PowerPoint.
- Microsoft Teams: Great for group projects—keep shared files in your Team.
- Virtual Den: Remote access to campus lab software.
- Tech Help @ The Hub: Walk-up support (William T. Young Library, basement).
¶ Quick checklist (skim before you leave)
- Activate linkblue + set up Duo
- Join eduroam (username =
linkblue@uky.edu) - Install Microsoft 365 and turn on OneDrive AutoSave
- At
download.uky.edu→ Adobe, Request License (required) - Install Adobe Creative Cloud and your core apps
- Buy & install Rhino 8 (watch inbox for emailed license; enter key to activate)
- (October or when required) Install V-Ray for Rhino
- Install Twinmotion via Epic Games Launcher
- Download and Install CoD PaperCut from PaperCut Install Guide Wiki and add printers → test a print
- Install AutoDesk programs (if needed)
- Check your print balance at codprint.uky.edu
¶ Need help?
- College of Design Tech Help: Gray Design Building, Room 114 • joe.brewer@uky.edu
- ITS Customer Services: request form (online) • 859-218-HELP (4357)
You’ve got this. Welcome to the College of Design—we’re excited you’re here!