Imaging Lab
Select equipment and software in the VRC Imaging Lab is additionally made available to Humanities students, instructors, and faculty by appointment only.
The VRC Lab is open for appointments Monday–Friday from 9am to 4:45pm. Appointments are based on equipment and staff availability. To register as a VRC Lab user please read and fill out this form.
Please email visualresources@uchicago.edu to schedule access to equipment and software. Please note that you will need to start and end your appointment at the scheduled time so others may use the equipment. If you no longer need your selected time, please cancel your appointment. The VRC Lab closes promptly at 4:45pm, and we cannot accommodate evening or weekend appointments.
Determining Equipment for Your Project
The VRC can help you digitize your photos, 2D- and 3D-creative projects using equipment in the Lab. Please find dimensions each machine can accommodate below to select the best option for your project, or email visualresources@uchicago.edu with any questions:
- Epson Flatbed Scanners
- Scanning-based digitization for 2D works that are fairly stable (drawings that won’t transfer, without attached elements) up to 12.2 in x 17.2 inches.
- Negative Supply Film Scanner for film negatives and slides
- Copy Stand
The Copy stand is camera-based digitization for large, 2D works. The copy stand is able to photograph up to 22 x 22 inches (a larger surface than the Epson flatbed scanners). It works well for digitizing posters, maps, diagrams or other materials. Black velvet fabric is available for a background, and a color bar can be included in photographs for quick and accurate color-correcting in Lightroom.
- CopiBook Book Scanner
- Camera-based digitization for 2D and bound materials, can digitize flat materials up to 20 x 28.3 inches for flat materials, or 25 x 17.3 inches for fragile bound materials that require the book cradle
- DSLR photography
- Small to medium 3D objects (such as models or craft work) can be digitized using a DSLR camera and the Copystand or the light box/portable studio
Other Available Equipment
- Mac desktops and SuperDrives
- Drawing tablet
- Portable studio with LED lights (good for photographing architecture studio work or 3D objects)
- CZUR Aura X Pro document camera/overhead scanner (also part of lending program, may be checked out)
VRC Lab Software
- Adobe Creative Cloud
- Wondershare and other apps for making film clips
Large Format Scanning
For 2D materials larger than 22 x 22 inches, the Map Room at the Regenstein Library can scan up to 42 inches wide and unlimited length. Please contact Sam Brown (sbb@uchicago.edu) to make an appointment.
Printing Services on Campus
The Logan Media Center provides large format printing on 44” roll printers.