How do I practise in the 3D lab during my programme?

The 3D lab is a practice space that runs in your browser at lab.edwartens.com, with nothing to install. You do a task that follows a lesson, in a 3D scene: for example ladder logic or starter wiring on the automation programmes. Every paid programme includes it. It is practice before real equipment, not a replacement for it.

Where to find it

• 3D lab in the Programme group of your menu. It lists every lab task of your programme in course order, with Passed, Tried or Not tried yet beside each one, and an Open link.
• The Lab tab inside a lesson. It appears only on lessons that have a lab task, and it shows what to do, what you should see and a hint.

When you open a task from your portal, the lab opens already signed in, so your work and your passes are saved to your account.

What to know

• It is optional. It never gates a lesson, a test, the final, a project or your certificate. You can skip any task.
• Not every lesson has a task. One is added only where the lab really fits what the lesson taught.
• It is not your simulator. On the EPGDIA you also practise on your own computer in the vendors' simulators, such as TIA Portal with S7-PLCSIM. Those run on your computer, not in the lab.
• Use a laptop or a large tablet with an up-to-date Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari: see Which browsers and devices work?.
• Your details. The lab is run on edwartens.com by Wartens Ltd, our UK group company. When you open it from your portal, your name, email address and learner ID are passed so your work is saved and your results come back.

If the lab opens without signing you in, your work is kept on that device only and your marks will not reach your portal. Close it and open the task again from the 3D lab page. If it keeps happening, contact a person.