How to Install and Set Up ARC for EZ-Robots

​​This page will detail how to install and set up ARC on your PC.  It will cover everything you need to get started with EZ-Robots.  The ‘Start Here’ guide that is included in every box is also an extremely useful reference tool.  Please note that ARC currently only works on Windows.  To use ARC on a Mac, you'll need to install a virtual machine (like VMWare or Parallels) first. You can find the instructions for this on our Software - MAC page.

At the bottom of the page is also a detailed list of practices that we recommend.  These practices will help to ensure that your robots work the way they're supposed to, and quickly find any issues that you may have.​

PC Installation

Step 1: Go to the EZ-Robot Website

Click on your search bar and enter ez-robot.com, then hit Enter.
Step 2: Navigate to the Download Page

Hover over the Learn drop down menu and select Software - PC.
Step 3: Download ARC

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click Download ARC.
Step 4: Which ARC Program to Install?

You will be taken to the Synthiam website where you will be presented with three options. 

The first option, ARC Free, is what we recommend for teachers since it is extremely polished and rarely requires updates. It will enable you to do all the basic teaching and instruction for EZ-Robots within the classroom.

The second option is ARC Pro, the subscription variant of the software. It's the version which allows access to more advanced features, such as support for multiple plugins and unlimited skills. As it is primarily designed for Robotics Development, we don’t recommend ARC Pro for educators.

Lastly, the third option is called Runtime. Runtime allows you to operate ARC Pro versions of projects without paying for additional ARC Pro licenses. However, you won't be able to modify the projects or add any new features in.

For the purposes of these instructions we will be downloading ARC Free.
Step 5: Open ARC Installer

When you click download on the Free version, it may take you to a webpage showing you how to activate licenses for the Pro version. You can ignore that.

Click on the download icon on your web browser on the top right corner. 
Then click on the ARC Free download to open it.
Step 6: Terms and Conditions

​Click the checkbox labeled 'I agree to the License terms and conditions’, then click the Install button. ARC may ask for admin permission to make changes to your computer; click Yes. 

If your computer does not have the necessary C# or C++ net structure code, ARC will ask whether you would like to install it. You should install the net structure code to ensure best performance.
Step 7: Register ARC Account 

You will be asked if you want to register for an ARC account. You will need this to continue with the installation.

If you are setting up ARC for a classroom scenario, we recommend that the instructor create a class account instead of allowing all the students to create their own account. This is to ensure ease of use within a classroom and protect student privacy.

Once the class account is created, other ARC installations can be set up by entering in the email and password and clicking Save. This will also only need to be done once for each computer installation. If you already have an account created, the next few steps can then be skipped, all the way to Step 10.

The next few steps will cover creating an account, but this will only need to be completed once.

To register for an account, click Create New Account.
Step 8: Account Registration

You will automatically be taken to the account registration page. Enter in the required fields as necessary. The school name can also be entered in the Full Name if necessary for privacy. The email must be legitimate, however. The password should be easy to remember if other computers are going to be set up later.

Click Register when done.
Step 9: Verify Account
​
Go to the email that was used to register for the account. You will have a Welcome email. Open it.

You will have two options to verify. The first one will only activate cloud services, while the second will also allow students to post on the community forums in the Synthiam website. As most basic questions and troubleshooting can be done through the teacher and EZ-Robot itself, we typically recommend that schools click on Activate Only Cloud Services.

Those more familiar with higher level robotics, and those that foresee customizing the robots may elect to allow community access as well. Click on the appropriate link as you deem fit.

Once verified, it will take you back to the Synthiam website to confirm.
Step 10: Log in to ARC.

Go back to the ARC software. Now you can enter in the email and password you just used to register with and click Save.
Step 11: Choose Theme

You will be presented with an option to choose a theme for your software. We recommend choosing the dark theme. Then click the select button.
Step 12: Default Coding Language 

We recommend using Blockly for beginners. However if you are comfortable using Python or JavaScript we encourage you to use those instead. Once you have chosen your programming language of choice proceed to click on the select button to continue.
Step 13: Access Sync 3D Parts

Navigate to the project tab. Which is located between files and options.
Once you are in the product tab proceed to click on the library icon.
Step 14: Sync 3D Parts

Then click on sync now. Let it sync everything as necessary. Then click Close.
Congratulations, you have successfully set up ARC Free!

You may want to consider right clicking on the ARC icon at the bottom of your screen and select Pin to Taskbar. This will make it easily accessible for students later.