Wide selection of equipment for audiovisual projects at the Aalto Studios Takeout office in Marsio. Part of the Aalto Takeout network.
Tools for Creative Practices
The following list details tools, facilities and information to help you express your creativity in Aalto.
Note that some of the workshops and devices might require prerequisite courses, special permissions, training or agreements between departments but in theory, all tools are available to all students, staff and researchers - just have good justification for your needs!
Pease e-mail the author found at the bottom of this page or use the form to submit a new device or change request.
Note that some of the workshops and devices might require prerequisite courses, special permissions, training or agreements between departments but in theory, all tools are available to all students, staff and researchers - just have good justification for your needs!
Pease e-mail the author found at the bottom of this page or use the form to submit a new device or change request.
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Useful links
IT services for students
IT Services (ITS) provides many services for students eg. email, computer classrooms, campus wifi, printing services.
booking.aalto.fi: Quick guide
Booking system is used for reserving spaces and objects for teaching, research and support activities. The system is for staff only, and can be accessed through booking.aalto.fi.
Start here!
| Resource | Information | Links and important courses |
|---|---|---|
Scheduling tool for Workshops and tools in Arts |
Workshops in School of Arts, Design and Architecture (Youtube) Weaving, Knitting, Sewing, Textile Printing, Pattern Making, Biofilia, 3D Print, Waterjet Cutting, NC machining, Mechatronics, Plastics and Laser Cutting, Paint Shop, Surfacing and Working with Chemicals, Ceramics, Glass Workshop, Sculpture, Drawing and Painting, Printmaking, Printlab, Metal Workshop, Wood Workshop, Multi-material Workshop, Construction Workshop, Photography Studio, Darkrooms and more... |
2022-23 <- Workshop availability and vacations can be seen here. |
Scheduling tool for Engineering and Science |
infrabooking.aalto.fi | |
| Equipment borrowing service for Aalto community | takeout.aalto.fi | |
| Takeout support for exhibitions | Book a free helper for your exhibition. | Takeout support for exhibitions |
| Reservation of exhibition spaces | booking.aalto.fi | |
| Events Library | Hub for information on planning and executing events in Aalto. The list includes tips, software and links to make the needed reservations and manage participants. | Events Library |
| Arts infra van - Van can be used only for transportations related to ARTS teaching, research or artistic activities. | searching for the license plate "XBZ". | ARTS infra van |
| Aalto Studios | "This is where things get real. We are used to running multidisciplinary projects and our staff鈥檚 expertise lies in performative arts and digital fabrication." | |
| Aalto Fablab | ||
| Aalto Studios Costume Workshop | Costume workshop has sewing machines and common tools for working with fabric and other clothing materials. It also includes a dying workshop. | |
| Aalto Studios Set Design Workshop | ||
| Aalto Studios Wood Workshop | Wood workshop has almost everything you need for working with wood. | |
| Aalto Studios Metal Workshop | Metal workshop has almost everything you need to working with metal. | |
| Aalto Studios Atelier | An atelier for working on your projects that don't need large equipment. | |
| Aalto Studios VR Studio | A fully equipped room for working and testing your VR equipment. VR Studio has better computers with more software packages available than the VR Hub. | |
| Aalto Studios VR Hub | A fully equipped room for working and testing your VR experiments. | |
| Design Factory | Metal and wood workshops, 2D and 3D Printing, painting room, studios and much more. | |
| 3D printing studio 痴盲谤别 | 3D printing mainly for students of Art and Design. | 3D Print |
| Self-service studio | Want to record a lecture or conversation? Everything from lights, camera's and microphones are pre-setup for Panopto recording and streaming. | |
| Self-service '2D' print studio 痴盲谤别 | 2D printing for everyone after completing the online tutorial. | Self Service Printlab |
Find more workshops and spaces in the sections below!
Useful resources
Here are listed some useful resources for making, documenting and exhibiting your works
Aalto IT supports students in multiple ways including providing software on class computers and for personal use at home. Remote access is available to computers with specialized software like CAD and , design and editing tools as well as cloud computing and cloud storage via OneDrive (4TB!). Explore the following pages and don't hesitate to contact them for support - they want to support you!
! Note that there are multiple IT service points on campus with alternating opening times.
| IT services available for students and staff | Additional Links |
|---|---|
| How to use Aalto Virtual Desktop Infrastructure | vdi.aalto.fi |
| Free software for home computers | |
| Default applications on Windows workstations | |
| Image Rendering Services: If you need a cloud, classroom or other rendering capabilities, please consult the IT Customer Relationship manager at your school. Contact IT Customer Relationship managers: its-crm@aalto.fi |
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| (free for students, while studying) | |
| Adobe Creative Cloud is available on all computers in the school of arts - even non-arts students can access the computers and use the software by logging in with your Aalto account. Also see VDI. | |
| site builder for personal porfolios. |
Equipment borrowing service TAKEOUT for Aalto community has lots of great cameras and photography gear to help you take amazing pictures, video and more. They also offer work computers and exhibition equipment.
| Device and description (specs) | Additional information | Physical location and contact info |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment borrowing service for Aalto community |
You can book, pick-up and return items outside normal operating hours by using the self-service lockers. |
痴盲谤别 Takeout (next to Kipsari in 痴盲谤别) Takeout Studios (next to 'Studio' Kipsari in Aalto Studios) There are two sites for takeout. 痴盲谤别 Takeout has the most cameras and Studios specializes in video and movie production. |
| Photography Studio | Photographic studio with a large open background and quality lighting facilitates a wide variety of photography works small and large. |
痴盲谤别 E001 |
| Photography Studio | Design Factory also has a great photography studio with green screen. | Contact Design Factory |
| Dark Rooms | The darkrooms can be used by all Aalto University students who are already familiar with film development, photo preparation, and the chemicals used for this, and who know how to use the equipment. Always book a orientation session if you have not worked in a darkroom before. |
痴盲谤别 F003 and Otakaari 1X (basement) |
| Self Service Studio | Small user groups, panel discussions, lectures or thesis presentations. Computer Works with Aalto ID and recordings go to Panopto. |
Harald Herlin Learning Centre, Maker Space |
| Self - service '2D' print studio | A self-service printing facility is available to students and staff. |
痴盲谤别 F008 printlab-self-service-f008 - see Mycourses! |
| Screening Room | Genelec speakers, Yamaha 11.2 sound system (not calibrated). Projector Panasonic 4K laser (not calibrated). Room for 10-14 people. |
痴盲谤别 F005 Booking rights from Mattila Esa |
| Movie screening room | Mayer 7.1 sound system, Dolby CP950 sound processor. Oppo Blu-ray player (code free) HDMI for computer connection. |
Maarintie 8, 2007 Odeion Booking rights from Mattila Esa |
| Device and description (specs) | Additional information | Physical location and contact info |
|---|---|---|
| Screening Room | Genelec speakers, Yamaha 11.2 sound system (not calibrated). Projector Panasonic 4K laser (not calibrated). Room for 10-14 people. |
痴盲谤别 F005 Booking rights from Mattila Esa |
| Movie screening room | Mayer 7.1 sound system, Dolby CP950 sound processor. Oppo Bluray player (region code free) with HDMI for computer connection. |
Maarintie 8, 2007 Odeion |
There are lots of alternative photography devices available throughout the campus. Listed here are more consumer friendly devices, but be sure to check out infra.aalto.fi for more scientific devices such as spectrometers and specialised microscopes - like the electron microscope!
| Device and description (specs) | Additional information | Physical location and contact info |
|---|---|---|
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Photorobot Turntable and multi-cam system. Device capable of making 360 degree spins of artefacts. Using photogrammetry you can make 3D models. |
360 spins, photogrammetry Software: Reality capture, Meshroom Object size and max weight: 3 - 120 cm, 40 kg max ! Reflective and mono-color objects are sometimes difficult. Ceramics and wood are very good |
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LIDAR scanner RIEGL VS-400 |
Riscan pro used for aligning and processing point clouds. Also see Cloud Compute and Reality Capture. RiPano for hosting scans for online viewing |
Aalto FABLAB * Requires Magics permit to book via takeout. |
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3D Hand scanner Artec LEO |
Hand held scanner for objects around the size of your hand to a car Software: Artec Studio and Design X |
Aalto FABLAB Solomon Embafrash Krisjanis Rijnieks |
| Microscope with DSLR | Siemens + Canon | Aalto FABLAB |
| Microscope with DSLR | Leica | CHEMARTS lab |
| Microscope with DSLR | Other Chemistry and physics labs | |
| 3d scanning (pizza robot and white box) | Aalto Civil Engineering Department (room number?) | |
| 360 Cameras | ||
| Insta360 ONE X2 | 360 photos, 360 video | ELEC takeout |
| Insta360 ONE X3 | 360 photos, 360 video. The X3 is way better than the X2 | Aalto Takeout, Studios |
| Insta360 pro titan | Aalto Takeout * Requires Magics permit to book via takeout. | |
| Insta360 pro 2 | 360 photos, 360 video | Aalto Takeout, Studios * Requires Magics permit to book via takeout. |
| Consumer grade LIDAR | ||
| iPhone 12Pro | Lidar and photogrammetry, slow motion, time lapse | Aalto Takeout, 痴盲谤别 |
| iPad Pro | Lidar and photogrammetry, slow motion, time lapse | Aalto Takeout, 痴盲谤别 |
High-Speed Cameras
High-speed cameras are available for researchers to use at Aalto University. To book these cameras, please visit Aalto University's Infrastructure booking services and search for the keyword 'High-speed cameras'. Researchers need to have completed appropriate prior training. To know more know about necessary training, please contact IT Customer Relationship manager at your school.
Contact IT Customer Relationship Manager
| High-Speed camera models available at Aalto | Physical location and contact info |
|---|---|
| RPI High-Speed Camera System - RAMI (Sony IMX219) |
Kemistintie 1, 02150 Espoo, FINLAND |
| Photron Fastcam APX-RS - PHYS Active Matter |
Department of Applied Physics |
| Phantom Miro - PHYS SMW | Department of Applied Physics |
| Phantom v1610 - PHYS SMW | Department of Applied Physics |
Workshops and Facilities
There are lots of interesting workshops and facilities around campus. They are worth exploring to enhance your work and encourage multidisciplinary collaboration. They might also have that one tool that you really need.
| Place | Link | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Workshops - Aalto School of Arts, Design and Architecture | School of Arts, Design and Architecture workshops | Weaving, Knitting, Sewing, Textile Printing, Pattern Making, Biofilia, 3D Print, Waterjet Cutting, NC machining, Mechatronics, Plastics and Laser Cutting, Paint Shop, Surfacing and Working with Chemicals, Ceramics, Glass Workshop, Sculpture, Drawing and Painting, Printmaking, Printlab, Metal Workshop, Wood Workshop, Multi-material Workshop, Construction Workshop, Photography Studio, Darkrooms and more... |
| ENG Metal and wood workshops. | School of Engineering Technical Services | "The ENG Workshop provides machines for working with metal and wood. The workshop works in conjunction with the Advanced Manufacturing and Materials research group and is located in the K2 building at Puumiehenkuja 3." Includes manual lathes, milling, welding and even a casting studio! |
| ELEC Metal workshop | There's a nice metal workshop in Maarintie 8. | |
| Design Factory | "Aalto Design Factory (ADF) is an interdisciplinary product design and learning hub uniting students, teachers, researchers, and industry. We aim to build a new kind of passion-based learning culture for Aalto University. You are welcome to join us!" | |
| CHEMARTS |
"The main objective is to inspire students and researchers to explore biomaterials together and to create new concepts for the future use of cellulose and other biomaterials. CHEMARTS consists of various actions, such as multidisciplinary study courses, summer projects for Masters鈥 students and externally funded research projects." Design meets biomaterials: Nordic biomaterials with CHEMARTS: /en/aalto-university-summer-school/nordic-biomaterials CHEMARTS summer school: |
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| Biofilia | Biofilia | "Aalto Biofilia offers unparalled reseach capacity for the growing field of biological art. The lab is equipped for hands-on research and creative experimentation and it provides the basic tools for molecular biology, tissue culture and engineering and microbiology." |
| Space 21 | Space 21 | "Space 21 is a cluster of rough, free project spaces that Aalto offers to encourage experimenting and creative collaboration within its community." Students, staff and faculty are all equally welcome to work on short or long term projects, host events, and perform experiments. Some tools are available, but generally projects should be self-sufficient. |
| Aalto Studios Workshops |
"This is where things get real. We are used to running multidisciplinary projects and our staff鈥檚 expertise lies in performative arts and digital fabrication." Aalto Studios is comprised of Aalto Fablab, Set Design Workshop ja Costume Workshop. Other non-workshop resrouces are available, including VR studio and Hub, Self-service recording studio, a podcast booth, IGLOO panoramic environment and more. |
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| Aalto Fablab |
It is a place where to make (almost) anything. You can learn and use each machine or fabrication method individually; combine your ideas with CAD/CAM skills and use different machine for every part of your project that requires it. Learn all the skills individually or via joining the 鈥 the choice is yours. How to book:
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| ADDLAB | ADDLAB |
"At ADDLAB we explore the potential of digital design and manufacturing technologies to create commercially viable, culturally relevant, and societally valuable results." ADDLAB is the place to check out if your project involves 3D printing in plastic, composites, clay, metal, biomaterials and other things. Robotics and other related technologies can also be found here. |
| Electrical Engineering Workshop / ELEC paja |
TUAS Room 1558 |
More info here: |
| Aalto Factory of the Future | Factory of the Future | "The Aalto Factory of the Future is a facility for innovation and education of future industrial automation, industry 4.0 and beyond." |
| Satellite Lab + Cleanroom | Laboratories and facilities | "Aalto University has built a CubeSat laboratory which features an electronics design workshop, a small clean room for integration and essential testing equipment for vacuum and thermal testing." |
| Anechoic chamber and control room | Aalto Acoustics Lab Facilities | "Three anechoic chambers, a variable acoustics room, a listening test room which meets the standards of subjective audio testing, three independent sound-insulated booths for headphone listening tests, standard acoustic measurement equipment and systems... Aalto Acoustics Lab provides excellent audio reproduction systems for research and demonstrations, including reference-quality headphones and many Genelec loudspeakers." |
| Outside Aalto | ||
| Omnia Makerspace | While not officially part of Aalto, Omnia Makerspace primarily works as a workshop for A-grid residents. | |
| Student Workshop | J盲mer盲ntaival JMT 11E-F | Student workshop for basic repairs. Ask AYY. |
Maybe your creative practice has already proven to be successful and you want to turn it into a business. Check out the following organizations within Aalto.
| Place | Description |
|---|---|
| "Aaltoes is the home to wild ideas and doer-mentality. We are the most prominent and active student-run entrepreneurship society in Europe. We are committed to making anyone that walks through our doors become the best founder in the world. In Aaltoes you can can challenge yourself with real-life entrepreneurial opportunities and see what it takes to bring an idea to life." | |
| "Aalto Ventures Program is the entrepreneurship education program at Aalto University. At AVP, students work in multidisciplinary teams, do hands-on exercises and gain tools for building a better tomorrow, ready to be used either to construct a startup or to renovate an existing company from within. We teach students to build like an entrepreneur." | |
| "The Startup Sauna co-working space is a focal meeting point in Northern Europe for entrepreneurs and investors alike. It鈥檚 a 1500 square meter industry hall open for everyone 鈥 no membership or previous ties to Startup Sauna are required. It鈥檚 a regular event space for founder talks, pitching competitions, hackathons and BBQs, hosting nearly 100 events a year related to startups and entrepreneurship." | |
| "Kiuas is the leading startup accelerator and co-founder matchmaker in Finland. We provide early-stage startup founders with invaluable support, networks, and tools to take their progress to the next level." | |
| "Ignite is a 10-week-long student startup accelerator held during the summer. In the program, you will get a chance to build your startup with the best coaches, entrepreneurs and like-minded people. If you are eager to become a founder, grow your skills and confidence, have a great time and at the same time build your next venture, this is the right place for you." | |
| "A Grid is home for nearly 150 ambitious startups and partners, and acts as a gateway to the university鈥檚 ecosystem of resources, talented students and cutting-edge research and infrastructure. Here in Otaniemi Espoo, the university campus lifestyle is blended with entrepreneurial spirit and a mindset to co-create, innovate and change the world." aka rent space and start your company on campus. | |
| Events | |
| "Junction organizes a wide variety of tech events around the year around the world, as well as online: this is what we're all about." | |
| "Slush is a non-profit and the world鈥檚 largest gathering of VC 鈥 delivering actionable company-building advice and bringing together the who鈥檚 who in startups." Every year hundreds of students volunteer for Slush to get their first look at the VC/startup scene. | |
| "Dash is a growing movement that uses design thinking to connect students and professionals to solve complex challenges. Over the past five years, Dash has been hosting weekend-long hackathons" |
Here are some other clubs or spaces that might be helpful to your endeavours - if nothing else you can find likeminded people that can put you in the right direction. Included are a few highlights, but see the link from AYY.fi.
| Place | Link | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Car club | The car club has a van that can be rented. Also a great workshop for vehicle related repairs. Power tools, diagnostic devices and lots of car related scrap | |
| Electronics workshop For all SIK members. | ||
| Teekkarikyl盲 workshop |
Student workshop for basic repairs. J盲mer盲ntaival JMT 11E-F |
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| Aalto Test Site | The Test Site | "The Test Site interlinks an open community with a physical space in Otaniemi campus. This student-led network enables experimental and synergetic projects in practical sustainability." |
Digital Fabrication Machines
Digital fabrication machines require computer files as input for the machine to work. Generally a vector graphic file format can be converted in the selected workshop and processed with the right software. For machining stl files can work, but generally parametric models are preferable.
The following are the list and the location of 3D printing equipment publicly available for students, staff researchers to use around campus.
| Workshop | Description | Usage rights |
|---|---|---|
| 3D print lab | Great selection and multiple printers including FDM, SLA, Polyjet and a Clay printerEverything you need to know about 3D Print WorkshopBooking via mycourses. Everything you need to know about 3D Print Workshop | Mainly for students of Art, Design and Architecture |
| ADD lab |
Experimental printers including Metal printer, bioprinter, foodprinter, carbonfiber composite FDM, metal composite printers, a small clay printer and traditional FDM and SLA printers. Booking via google calendar (talk to the workshop manager) |
Mainly for students in Engineering |
| Fablab |
FDM and SLA printers Booking via takeout.aalto.fi |
Everyone |
| ELEC | FDM printers | Mainly for IT, electronics and automation |
| Aalto Studios | VR studio, Wood, metal and costume workshops | |
| Design Factory | Some multimaterial printers including Ultimaker 5 with multimaterial option | Everyone? |
| Space 21 |
Prusa MK 2.5 and a Creality CR10 Booking via appointment and only if not in use by ELEC |
Everyone, just for emergencies |
| 3D printer models available at Aalto | Additional information | Physical location and contact info |
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FDM FDM |
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| Workshop | Machine | Usage rights |
|---|---|---|
| 痴盲谤别 textile workshop | Zund cutter: Large format textile/cardboard plotter with various heads | Mainly for Arts Students |
| Fablab | Roland | Everyone |
| Design Factory | Roland | Mostly DF users, |
| Self-service print studio | ??? | Everyone |
| Omnia Makerspace (not Aalto) | VersaSTUDIO BN-20 | A-grid tenants |
| Public Libraries: Lepp盲vaara, Iso-Omena, Oodi | Roland mono-vinyl cutters | Everyone |
Wood and metal milling here
| Workshop | Specifications | Usage rights |
|---|---|---|
| 痴盲谤别 CNC workshop | 5-axis wood/plastic/foam CNC | Mainly for students in Arts |
| Fablab | 1300 x 1300 x 400 mm wood/plastic CNC with vacuum table | Everyone |
| ELEC | Really small format laser | Mainly for IT, electronics and automation |
| Design Factory | Metal CNC | Everyone? |
| Workshop | Specifications | Usage rights |
|---|---|---|
| Mechatronics lab | Large format laser cutter x2 | Mainly for students in Arts |
| ADD lab | Small format laser cutter | Mainly for students in Engineering |
| Fablab | Large format laser cutter | Everyone |
| ELEC | Really small format laser | Mainly for IT, Electronics and Automation Students |
| Design Factory | Epilog laser cutter | Everyone? |
| Architecture Studio | Epilog laser cutter | Everyone, just for emergencies |
| Omnia Makerspace (not Aalto) | Medium format laser cutter | A-grid users and students of Omnia Vocational School |
There are several places you can use paints and solvents in a professional manner with appropriate ventilation and equipment. ATEX is a French abbreviation for "Equipment intended for use in explosive atmospheres".
| Workshop | Location |
|---|---|
| 痴盲谤别 | next to Mechatronics |
| Architecture/Construction workshop | bottom floor |
| Fablab / Aalto Studios | next to Fablab |
Contact us
This page is updated periodically. If some information is out of date, or you know of useful equipment that is not on the list, fill out the form above, use the following , or send us a message directly.
| Contacts | Phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Jason Selvarajan | +358 50 5708552 | jason.selvarajan@aalto.fi |
| Antti Laari | +358 50 402 7053 | antti.laari@aalto.fi |
IT Help
Here you can find answers to most of your IT related questions.
Click on the link for an interactive map of workshop locations: k.
Also see .
This service is provided by:
IT Services
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