pc_setup.md

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Setting up your computer

If you have not downloaded our resources, please go back to Downloading Resources and follow the instructions there.

The following steps are how to set up your computer once you've downloaded the resources so you can start using them. Follow the instructions for the software you will be using. If you are using both MATLAB and Python, follow the instructions in both sections. Make sure to follow the instructions at the bottom of this page to complete the setup.

If you are using MATLAB/Simulink

• Download MATLAB/Simulink (https://www.mathworks.com/products/matlab.html).

If using hardware

• Download QUARC. It will install Quanser Interactive Labs, which is used when using virtual products. To download QUARC, go to QUARC's Product Page and click on QUARC Installer & Documentation on the PRODUCT DETAILS section. Note that you will need the provided license file you got when receiving the system.

If using virtual devices only

These steps are only necessary if you are not using hardware, and using virtual devices only.

• Download Quanser Interactive Labs through the MATLAB Add On Explorer

  

  Quanser Interactive Labs for MATLAB
  

  

• Make sure you follow the instructions from the Getting Started section from Quanser Interactive Labs for MATLAB to properly install Quanser Interactive Labs. You should run QLabs.setup and go through the installation screen before continuing with this guide.

If you are using Python

• Make sure you have not downloaded Python through the Microsoft store, if you have, we recommend uninstalling it first.

• Download a standalone installer for Python. We support Python 3.11 to 3.14 but recommend using 3.13 or 3.14.
  Use the following links for supported Windows 64-bit installers:

  • For 3.14: Python 3.14.2 installer
  • For 3.13: Python 3.13.11 installer
  • For 3.12: Python 3.12.10 installer
  • For 3.11: Python 3.11.9 installer

Warning

⚠️❗Make sure to click on the Add Python to PATH option in the first screen of the installer.

Note

IF YOU DOWNLOAD FROM THE PYTHON WEBSITE, DO NOT USE THE PYTHON INSTALL MANAGER

• If you do not have QUARC installed (due to virtual devices only or Python only setup), download Quanser SDK, this GitHub repository links to both Windows and Linux versions.

If you are ONLY using Python (No MATLAB/Simulink)

• If you are going to use Quanser's virtual devices, download Quanser Interactive Labs.

Completing the Setup

1. If you had to download any new software, restart your computer before continuing to make sure changes are recognized by the system.

2. Once you have the necessary software in your computer, go to your Quanser folder with these resources and open the 1_setup folder. Run step_1_check_requirements, this will make sure your computer has all the necessary files for the language/configuration you will use. This will generate a log file.

3. Afterwards, run configure_matlab.bat and/or configure_python.bat depending on the language you will use.

4. This will update environment variables on your system; restart your computer after running these files.

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