From installation to your first digital twin.

Check versions and access

Confirm Windows, MATLAB, QUARC, compiler, and platform compatibility before installing. Have the required institutional licenses and Quanser account access ready.

The QUARC 2026 chart lists MATLAB R2025a, R2025b, and R2026a on supported Windows configurations, with Visual Studio 2019 or 2022. A different QUARC release can have different requirements.

Install MATLAB and Simulink

Use your authorized MathWorks installation. For QUARC model builds, include Simulink, MATLAB Coder, and Simulink Coder. Control System Toolbox is used by many control laboratories. Confirm any additional requirements in the assigned exercise.

Install Visual Studio Community 2022 for the QUARC build workflow

Select the Desktop development with C++ workload in the Visual Studio installer. Visual Studio Code is a different application and does not replace this compiler installation. Match the compiler to the MATLAB and QUARC releases.

Follow the compiler-selection instructions in Quanser’s guide after installation. Python-only virtual work does not automatically require the same compiler workflow.

Install QUARC or the MATLAB QLabs add-on

Physical hardware: follow the licensed QUARC installation guide and the workstation’s device instructions. QUARC installations include Quanser Interactive Labs components.

MATLAB virtual labs without QUARC: open MATLAB’s Add-On Explorer and find Quanser Interactive Labs for MATLAB. Install the add-on, open its Getting Started instructions, and run QLabs.setup when directed to complete setup.

Download and extract the academic resources

1. Open Quanser Academic Resources on GitHub and select the Windows branch used by your course, currently dev-windows.
2. Select the green Code button, then Download ZIP.
3. In Windows, right-click the downloaded archive and choose Extract All. Do not run examples from inside the ZIP.
4. Place the extracted repository under C:\Users\YourUserName\Documents\Quanser. Keep its folders together; the repository root contains 0_libraries, 1_setup, and the other resource folders.

Use the Documents location on your own computer; replace YourUserName with your Windows account folder. Keep a separate copy of your project work so an upstream resource update does not overwrite it.

Configure MATLAB and, if needed, Python

In the extracted 1_setup folder, run step_1_check_requirements.bat and read its report. Run configure_matlab.bat for MATLAB and configure_python.bat for Python, following the official setup guide. Restart the relevant applications after configuration.

For Python work, install a version supported by the current Quanser guide and add it to PATH. Quanser’s Windows guide recommends the standalone Python installer rather than the Microsoft Store version. If QUARC is absent, follow the Quanser SDK installation instructions. Use a virtual environment when required by the selected example.

Launch QLabs and select your workspace

Launch Quanser Interactive Labs, sign in with the account assigned to your activity, select the supported product, and open its workspace. Match the example to that product and software version.

For a Python-only installation, use the installer and instructions in the official QLabs guide. Confirm your entitlement through the Quanser portal; not every workspace is included with every account.

AVRC student access: After Dr. Fadel Lashhab adds you to the Quanser Academic Portal, register as a new user using the same email address. Then sign in to Quanser Interactive Labs (QLabs) to access the digital twins assigned to you. If you already have an account, use that account and confirm your assigned access with Dr. Lashhab.

Verify a supplied example before changing it

Start with the assigned virtual example. Check that the expected model opens, sensor readings change, and the program stops cleanly. Record the software versions and any configuration changes in your lab notes.

For physical equipment, complete orientation and confirm the device, cables, limits, and stop procedure with the supervisor. Use the exact platform manual and approved baseline before implementing a new controller.